On Friday the 3rd of July, Eye Matter Members enjoyed a talk from Evie Ayres-Townshend from the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival (GDIF). Evie, who is the Access Producer at GDIF, shared information about the many audio described circus, theatre, art and dance events taking place as part of their summer festival. She also explained how excited they were that Eye Matter would be attending two events, including the hugely popular, Dance City on 5th September
There will be hundreds of different shows and events during the festival and more than 200 volunteers will be supporting the event including 50 access volunteers.
Although there is no need to pre-book assistance, it is recommended, particularly to ensure access to headsets.
There are specific access viewing spaces suitable for wheelchair users all around the festival though access to the nature reserve may be restricted (particularly if the weather is bad).
Eye Matter was delighted to partner with GDIF on Sunday 23rd August for the Audio Described Route of the Greenwich Fair at which there was an Assisted Audio Described route with Live AD by Tony McBride.
Shows throughout the festival start at 1pm and finish at 6pm with ample facilities and opportunity to take a break whenever you like and there will be a buggy available in Greenwich park for wheelchair users with limited capacity.
Feedback from previous events suggested better refreshment arrangements were needed within Greenwich Park which has been addressed with plenty of different stalls alongside the Pavilion Cafe.
Timetable of Events:
| 1pm – 1:22pm | Do Birds Dream of Flying (Live AD) |
| 2pm | BUG (Touch Tour) |
| 2:15pm – 2:35pm | BUG (Live AD) |
| 2:50pm | Caspian’s Storm (Touch Tour) |
| 3:10pm – 3:45pm | Caspian’s Storm (Integrated AD) |
| 3:50pm – 4:20pm | Kismat Walla (Live AD) |
| 4:20pm – 5pm | Lilliput (Interactive games with Digital Audio Intro) or BREAK |
| 5pm | ElevateHer (Touch Tour) |
| 5:20pm – 6pm | ElevateHer (Live AD) |
There are plenty of other shows to be enjoyed including:
‘The Special Effets’ is a performance where the crowd moves with the action. It incorporates a dancer making a film.
The opening night is called 360 and is set in Woolwich Arsenal Square. Evie asked us to imagine the 12 French dancers upon a 7 feet high structure, moving in a choreographed sequence set a night club vibe!
One show entitled, ‘We Move’ will be audio described by Kate herself and then followed by a DJ set.
On Friday 4th September at the Thamesmead Nature Reserve, the ‘Nature Speaks’ event is also audio described by Kate. There is an installation piece where people put their heads into ‘seed pods’ in order to hear a variety of stories related to nature.
‘I Have No Name’ is an environmentally focused LED Screen installation which can be accessed through headphones and depicts nature speaking to us.
You can find out more about all the shows in the Greenwich Audio Brochure, here
Following our fantastic experience previously, Eye Matter is delighted once again, to be collaborating again with GDIF for Dancing City 2026.
When: Saturday 5th September
What Time: Meet & Greet at 12:30pm
Where: Stratford Station, Westfield Stratford City. By the exit barriers.
Enjoy dance shows from around the world, with live audio description by Kate Taylor Davies.
Timetable of Events
| 1pm – 1:45pm | Garbh (Digital AD) |
| 1:55pm – 2:35pm | KOKKON (Live AD) |
| 3:15pm – 3:35pm | The Aunties: The House of Masks (Live AD) |
| 4:40pm – 5pm | Man Down (Live AD) |
| 5:15pm – 6pm | Benched (Live AD) |
Find out more about the shows in the Dancing City audio brochure
If you are interested in attending any Eye Matter Events, please contact: suzie@eyematter.org.uk