Superb Audio Description for Game of Thrones at the RSC by Roderick Dungate

Photo credit: Johan Persson

Superb Audio Description for Game of Thrones at the RSC

Adapted from the story of George R. R. Martin by Duncan MacMillan

RSC, RST: Stratford Upon Avon

Runs: 3h 40m; one interval, till 05 September 2026

Review: Roderick Dungate: AD Performance15 August 2026

“Superb audio description.”

Audio Description is a vital element of live theatre for a significant number of us. Without it, it would be pretty pointless for us vision impaired people to attend live events.

Game of Thrones has great challenges for the Audio Describers. I have written previously written about how the describers set about their work, (https://www.reviewsgate.co.uk/features-interviews/exploring-the-skills-of-audio-describers-rod-dungate)

The AD is always of the highest quality; there are two negative issues, however, that I’ve raised in the past. These are not to do with the describers, themselves, but with the way the process is managed by the RSC. These have both been overcome in this production.

The first of these is that the AD performances frequently come late on in the show’s run. For instance, the first AD performance for both Three Musketeers and As You Like It come roughly two weeks after the Press performance. The argument may have been that the describers need time to prepare; but for Thrones (with huge challenges) the AD performance is only one week after the Press Performance. I would ask the RSC to see if they could repeat this earlierpositioning as best practice as they programme into the future.

The other issue I have had is that the AD voice disappears behind loud music or effects. I have argued in the past that the describers need more time with the production team to work on this; at the time the AD is most needed it can’t be heard.

In this production I let out a subtle voice cry of joy as the describer explained, before  the show started, how she would adjust her volume control and closeness to her mic so all is audible. She advised us to keep our fingers near our own volume control so we could hear all at a volume that suited us.

This was terrific. Congratulations all round.

But the RSC has now given itself a problem. If it could do it for this show, there is no excuse for not ensuring AD clarity at all times for all shows. I feel confident this will be noted.

 Audio Describers – Lorna Heap/Adam Snaith