(L-R)Terry Burns – National Officer Northern Ireland, BBC Children in Need and Anne McReynolds – Chief Executive at the MAC

Belfast’s award-winning arts venue, the MAC has launched its latest project with long-term partners Ulster Bank, MACtile tours, an all sensory introduction to theatre, giving children with Autism Sensory Disorders the ability to experience the magic of theatre in a relaxed environment. Local schools Beechlawn Special School Hillsborough and Parkview Special School Lisburn are some of the first to take part.

MACtile tours, also supported by Arts and Business and BBC Children in Need, is an initiative whereby specially-trained MAC staff travel to participating schools across Northern Ireland with its ‘Theatre in the Box’. The tactile box contains a replica model of the MAC theatre, along with samples of the costumes the cast will wear on stage, what lighting will look like inside the theatre and other visual aids to help the children gain an understanding of what to expect when they visit the MAC for the first time.

Speaking about MACtile Tours, the MAC’s learning and participation officer Clare Lawlor said: “From talking to teachers and parents, we discovered that the barriers to some children attending an arts performance can be huge, but with a relatively small amount of support, could be overcome. We identified an opportunity to offer special provision to customers with additional needs and remove any element of fear or reservation about attending the theatre.”

For more information about MACtile tours or to get your school involved in the project, please log on to themaclive.com