“In collaboration with voice artiste and experienced audio
describer Willie Elliott, StopGAP are leading the field in audio
described contemporary dance."
Vicki Balam. Artistic Director. Stopgap Dance Theatre
“Just quietly, not only is Willie Elliott a world renowned audio
describer, he is also one of the loveliest people on the planet"
Adelaide International Festival
“For me, I’ve been blind all my life, so over fifty odd years.
This is a new experience for me and it’s bringing a whole new
world of... happiness, really.
It makes me want to go out and go to more theatre and
productions, more.”
Audience member. Adelaide Festival.
“As someone who has a relatively mild vision impairment and
who works in dance, I did wonder wether I would find the
audio description complimentary, or distracting.
But it really enhanced my experience of the show.
And I did try turning it off just to see what it was like without it
for a little while and I missed it... immensely.”
Audience member. Adelaide Festival.
"Thank you for sending over the All Alone film with Willie’s
audio description. I really enjoyed listening. His narration is
poetic and he has pitched the tone perfectly. A great addition
to our film and a great asset to have long after the exhibition
has come down.”
Clare PurcellExecutive DirectorMeadow Arts
“What did really make it for me, as a piece of theatre, though,
was William Elliot’s audio-description.
What a dream come true for any audio-describer, to have a
dialogue-free theatre piece to play with!
Elliott took up the challenge. And in his gentle dulcet tones he
guided his audience by headset, through the movement, with
a joyful, subtle and effective interpretation.
I have a mental condition that makes concentration extremely
difficult due to an accumulation of intrusive thoughts. And so
the audio-description helps focus and became a vehicle to
allow a deeper appreciation of what was overall a satisfying
and enjoyable piece of theatre.”
Review of Blind Man’s Song produced by
Theatre Re.
“...it really added to my experience of the show. I was
surprised how much more I was able to relax into to visuals
because of the guide in my ear. He really did capture the
delicacy of some moments exquisitely”.
Audience member. Blind Man’s Song.
"Willie started his Audio Describer career with Graeae
Theatre and has described numerous productions for us.
He created a whole new landscape of doing outdoor work,
circus and physical theatre which is theatrically in keeping
with the production but never compromising on the access for
Blind and visually impaired audiences.
Willie led Graeae's first ever training programme with Alex
Bulmer for emerging audio describers. It was challenging,
thorough, playful and open.
He is an excellent trainer, full of wisdom and reflection of his
own journey, the mistakes and the triumphs (not least doing
London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony).
He allows people to find their natural voice and writing skill,
then he hones their understanding and delivery.
If you want to know anything about audio description - you go
to Willie Ellliott."
Jenny Sealey. Artistic Director, Graeae Theatre Company.
"In 2011 I attended an audio description training course with
Willie Elliott in Adelaide, Australia.
"Willie’s rigorous, nuanced and fascinating training not only
equipped me with the skills to commence working as a
describer but also instilled in me a passion for equity in
arts practice which has informed my career ever since.
Willie was instrumental in training a cohort of audio
describers in Adelaide, which in turn enabled us to establish
Australia’s first, professional audio description service for the
performing arts.
His return visit to Adelaide in 2012 allowed the pool of local
describers to grow and for those of us who trained in 2011 to enhance our descriptive skills.
Since 2011, I have appreciated Willie’s ongoing support,
encouragement and advice and have benefited enormously
from his generosity, as well as his unique ability to deliver
feedback and advice which is both frank and friendly."
Lara Torr. Manager, Community programmes.
South Australian Museum.
"Willie has done the most amazing job in describing the action and the nature/feel of the piece. I am falling in love
with his voice and his intonation I could listen to him all day
long … What a blinking brilliant job!"
Wendy Heskith. Artistic Director. Wired Aerial Theatre.