Wider audience participation

The Curve, Leicester, Derby LIVE, the Little Theatre, Leicester, Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Royal & Derngate (Northampton) and the Stephen Joseph Theatre (Scarborough) have led the way to become founder members. Other theatres across the region are also showing an interest, and it is hoped that eventually every theatre in the country will sign up.

All performances that are more accessible to blind and deaf people will be listed. These 'assisted performances' include audio description, captioning and BSL interpreting, as well as information about each theatre. There are also links to each theatre's own website, enabling people to book tickets online and view more, enhanced information about the individual venues and their artistic programmes.

Scene and Sound is a community group whose main aim is to improve access to theatre for deaf and blind people, thus ensuring that every member of the audience can get the most out of a visit to the theatre. UnLtd Awards, Arts Council England and Nottingham Playhouse have shown their faith in the website through their generosity in providing the funding to get it up and running.

Also going the extra mile is the boss of Northamptopn's Royal & Derngate. In fact it's the 26 extra miles of the Berlin Marathon on Sunday.
It's part of the Challenge 125 fundraising drive, marking the 125th anniversary of the Royal's historic auditorium.

The staff and board have been challenged to raise £125,000 of funds for the future artistic programme. All the money raised will go directly back into the work produced for the Royal stage, giving the organisation the chance to develop the ambition and range of the work.

Martin, pictured, said: " I'm not naturally inclined to undertake physical exercise, but for the last 20 weeks I've been fairly dedicated to pounding the streets of Northampton (and Edinburgh during the Fringe and Dubrovnik whilst on holiday) in order to ensure my success in this daunting adventure."

To sponsor Martin on his marathon challenge, go here where you can donate securely and tax efficiently or call the Box Office on 01604 624811.

Almost as a PS, I draw your attention to my picture up there - a preview of Spymonkey's Moby Dick, which opens at the Royal on Friday. It's a co-production with the Northampton theatre, whose ' Made in Northampton' shows have been racking up credit everywhere.

It's a quirky take on the famous tale - the company's award-winning brand of comedy is said to be a 21st Century mix of Fawlty Towers, Marx Brothers and Mel Brooks, overflowing with brilliant characters, visual humour, slapstick comedy and outrageous naughtiness. Over the last three years, Spymonkey has been the smash hit of Brighton Festival, Just For Laughs Montreal, Melbourne Comedy Festival and two sell-out London seasons. The company was last seen in Northampton with their hilarious show Cooped in autumn 2007.

After Northampton, the show embarks on a national tour, calling in at Warwick Arts Centre from October 26th-28th.