'Now That You've Died'

2013 Aug 9

Play by Patrick Ness

Directors: Hector Harkness & Kate Hargreaves

Role: Narrator

Venue: The Roundhouse, London

Support RNIB and make more books available to the blind and partially sighted

 

Audio:

Listen to the audio of the show (save link as to download) - more info - please support RNIB by way of thanks.

Also part of The Guardian's podcast (including discussion with Patrick Ness).

 

Video:

Interview with Christopher Eccleston

Behind the scenes

Extras:

Insight Radio podcast

"Every year RNIB hammers home the message that more books need to be made accessible to blind people. The campaign is called Read For RNIB. This year the charity pulled out all the stops to raise awareness – as Insight Radio's Leeanne Coyle found out."

Includes extracts and the after the show message. 

Here's the video script of the latter, kindly provided by RNIB.

Congratulations, you made it.

I'm Chris Eccleston. I am sure all you want to do now is sit down, relax and have a nice cup of tea. And don't worry; you will have that opportunity in just a few minutes time.

But first I need you to listen for just a while longer to understand why you've been invited here today by Royal National Institute of Blind People.

You've just experienced something quite unique, a book without words, a story without reading, a play performed in total darkness. The point is that a story is about much more than just the words on a page. Today you have experienced reading in a whole new way.

In the UK there are almost two million people who are blind or partially sighted, and the sad fact is, their choice of books is significantly more limited than it is for sighted people. Just seven per cent of all books are fully accessible for them.

I find it hard to imagine what my life would be like without being able to access books and scripts or enjoy a bedtime story with my little boy. For many blind and partially sighted people, reading is even more important, it can be a lifeline. It's the key to helping them live independently as part of an inclusive society.

You probably aren't aware but RNIB's National Library Service sends out millions of books every year in braille, giant print and in talking book audio format.

But it's not just about Talking Books – RNIB provides so much more. It has a team which transcribes everything from newspapers and magazines such as OK! Magazine and National Geographic. It even provides sheet music and instructions for game boards.

RNIB works with the publishing industry to increase the number of books that are accessible, and with the eBook industry to make sure that new technology isn’t limited to people who can see.

And that's what Read for RNIB Day is all about. Raising money and awareness to help RNIB continue this important work and to provide guidance to the 100 people who today will have embarked on their own sight loss journey.

Now is your opportunity to take action and support Read for RNIB Day on Friday October 11. We need you to use your influence today to help us spread the word; tweet about this experience, share with your friends, colleagues and audiences, blog to your hearts content, encourage everyone across Britain to visit the website and get involved.

RNIB can currently only reach one in three people who need it most – help us change that story and open up a world of reading for blind and partially sighted people.

Thank you.

Help Us Change The Story. Read For RNIB Day. 11th October.

 

Articles:

From Read for RNIB site:
• Hollywood support for Read for RNIB Day
• Read for RNIB Day with Patrick Ness and Christopher Eccleston [recap]

• Article on tickets

• Working with Patrick Ness and Christopher Eccleston

• The Bolton News - Dr Who star Christopher Eccleston: 'Reading books should be for everyone'

• The Independent - Patrick Ness interview: Night of the living dead 

• Review by Frances Hardinge [blog]