We would like to welcome everyone to attend About Us and hope that you will enjoy the spectacle as much as possible. Please consider signing up to our mailing list here so we can email you with specific information related to your nearest showing of About Us.
General:
Is it free?
About Us is free to attend and there is no requirement to book a ticket.
Is it suitable for all ages?
About Us is suitable for all ages, however, we ask that those under 16 are accompanied by an adult.
What can I expect from About Us?
During the daytime, from 10am the About Us show area will be open for the public to access and explore. Our large video screen plinths will be exhibiting content created in partnership with people from each of the five locations.
After dark, our show site transforms to share About Us, which is a live outdoor performance and multimedia display lasting 25 minutes at any one time. As you approach the site you will see signage to guide you to your nearest entrance, and you may be selected for a random bag check as part of our security policy on entrance to the site. Once on site, you are encouraged to move around, experience the audience area and view the large video screens placed around the site. There will be clear changes to the sound and lighting states that signal the spectacle is about to begin. The spectacle includes video projections and music and explores the thematic journey from the Big Bang, to our hyper-connected now. Once the spectacle is over, you may exit through any available exit point.
The spectacle will repeat over the course of the evening and you are advised to check the start and end times for your location.
There will be stewards on site at all times who can help assist you with any additional questions or needs. If you would like to speak to a member of the team before attending the event please email [email protected]
Who is commissioning this event and who is it made by?
About Us is a collaborative project created by 59 Productions, The Poetry Society and Stemettes, and commissioned by UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK as part of a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of creativity taking place across the UK this year. This is an unprecedented opportunity for people to come together and take part in a series of awe-inspiring major events and creative projects for free. UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK is funded and supported by the four governments of the UK and is commissioned and delivered in partnership with Belfast City Council, Creative Wales, and EventScotland.
What time should I arrive? / What’s the latest time I can arrive?
You can arrive anytime during the period when the event is running. The earlier showings are likely to be busier so perhaps consider attending later in the evening to have more space to yourself on the site.
Paisley – the site opens at 6.30pm, with the first show starting at 7pm, running on a loop until approximately 9pm. We may run a little later, subject to demand.
Derry – the site opens at 7pm, with the first show starting at 7.30pm, running on a loop until approximately 9pm. We may run a little later, subject to demand.
Caernarfon – the site opens at 8.15pm, with the first show starting at 8.45pm., and running on a loop until approximately 10.30pm. We may run a little later, subject to demand.
Luton – the site opens at 8.30pm, with the first show starting at 9pm, and running on a loop until approximately 10.30pm. We may run a little later, subject to demand.
Hull – the site opens at 9pm, with the first show starting at 9.30pm, and will run until approximately 10.30pm
Is there seating?
The event is not seated and the audience may move around the area freely throughout the presentation. No furniture, seating or tripods are permitted in the audience areas.
How long should I plan to be there?
Each spectacle moment lasts for 25 minutes, with the whole experience lasting around 35 minutes. You are welcome to stay to watch the experience as many times as you like throughout the night, capacity permitting.
Where is the event located?
The event is located in the following locations:
Paisley:
Paisley Abbey, Paisley PA1 1JG. The audience viewing area is on Gauze Street and Cotton Street.
Derry~Londonderry:
Guildhall Square, Derry~Londonderry, County Londonderry, BT48 6DQ
Caernarfon:
Y Maes, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55
Luton:
George Street, Luton, LU1 2AZ
Hull:
Queen Victoria Square, Carr Lane, Hull HU1 3RA
Where can I park? / Is parking free? / What’s the best way to get there?
You are responsible for organising payment of your own car parking charges. We encourage audiences to try and walk, take a train or bus towards the site to reduce traffic in the surrounding area.
Read below for the nearest car parks in each location:
Paisley: Several public car parks are available in the vicinity – please click here for information.
Derry~Londonderry: The William Hill Street Car Park will operate with extended opening hours, closing at 11pm throughout the show period.
Caernarfon: Several public car parks are available in the vicinity, with Slate Quay Car Park, and Penllyn Multi-Story Car Parks being the closest to the site. Please click here for information.
Luton: Several public car parks are available in the vicinity, with those at The Mall being the closest to the site. Please click here for information.
Hull: Several public car parks are available in the vicinity – please click here for information.
Can I turn up on any day?
Of course, this event is likely to be buiser earlier in the evening and at weekends so if you’d like to avoid potential crowds opt for a mid-week viewing.
Can I attend multiple times?
Yes! You can attend the spectacle as many times as you like.
Does the show contain flashing lights?
About Us features high contrast moving patterns and flashing lights as well as loud music, including loud bangs. We are also expecting flash photography in the vicinity. We are running relaxed performances that will contain reduced lighting and sound effects.
Is there food and drink available?
There are currently no food or drink provisions supplied on site by About Us, however usual provisions to local food and drink businesses will remain open as normal. Please see below for websites you can review to find local food and drink businesses.
Paisley: Click here
Derry~Londonderry: Click here
Caernarfon: Click here
Luton: Click here
Hull: Click here
Are there toilets available?
Local public toilet provisions will be available as normal outside of the audience area. There will be no toilets provided by About Us within the audience area.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs on a short lead are allowed on-site, however, the show is loud and so should be treated in the same manner as you would a fireworks event.
If I arrive and you’re already at capacity will I not be able to see the show?
About Us loops multiple times each evening, therefore if the audience area is at capacity, we will let you in as soon as people begin to leave the site.
What is the dress code?
Please remember this is an outdoor experience, we strongly recommend you wear sensible outdoor shoes and that you wrap up warm.
What if it rains?
About Us will go ahead even if there is rain. Guests are encouraged to dress appropriately. Umbrellas are not permitted.
In the event of very bad weather (heavy rain, electrical storm, fog, strong winds), the showing of About Us would be cancelled until weather conditions improve.
Can I take photos of the experience?
Yes! We encourage Guests to take photos throughout the experience. Don’t forget to share your best photos on social media tagging @AboutUs2022 and using the hashtag #AboutUs2022
Access
What do I do if I have any questions about accessibility /accommodations?
Please email our customer service team at [email protected] and we will advise on how we can best assist you.
I am a wheelchair user, is the event suitable for me?
Each site has been designed to have step free, safe access for those in wheelchairs or with additional mobility requirements.
Each site will also have a wheelchair accessible area that can be accessed so that those who require it can obtain a better view of the event. If you would like more information about our accessible area or questions relating to accessibility please email [email protected] in advance of the show and we will happily assist you in having a brilliant experience with us during About Us.
Do you have Accessible facilities?
About Us is not offering toilets or changing rooms on site but the nearest accessible public facilities will be known to stewards at the event who can help direct you to them and also signposted where possible.
Do you have a hearing loop?
A hearing loop will be installed on site to cover certain viewing areas, signage will be displayed to help direct you to this part of the audience area.
Do you have British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted showings?
Yes, there will be a video screen close to the access area that will be showing BSL.
Do you have Audio Described showings?
There will be audio described showings of About Us as part of the live show from 2nd March in Paisley. Please arrive a little earlier to allow time to get your headset and email [email protected] to let us know which night you intend to come so that we can reserve you a headset and let you know the best place to collect it from.
Will there be subtitles?
Any spoken text will be subtitled during the spectacle.
What is a relaxed performance?
A relaxed performance is a performance that takes place with lower levels of lighting and quieter sound effects in order to reduce stress for audience members who may find the show overwhelming.
Will there be relaxed performances?
There will be relaxed viewings of About Us in each of the five locations:
Paisley, 3rd March at 19:00
Derry~Londonderry, 21st March at 18:45
Caernarfon, 4th April at 20:00
Luton, 20th April at 22.10
Hull, 3rd May at 22.30
What if someone has an invisible disability?
We fully support the The Sunflower Lanyard Program, so we encourage those with invisible disabilities to come to the event with the relevant lanyard.
Will there be any medical & welfare facilities?
Yes, there will be medical and welfare facilities located on each site – speak to a steward or member of security to locate them.
COVID-19:
Is your venue COVID-19 secure?
The entire experience is being conducted outside and we will be following Government guidelines throughout.
We anticipate that mid-week and late night event times will be quieter and offer a chance to have more space from others too.
Do I need to bring my COVID-19 passport / proof of vaccination / negative test?
Covid passports, proof of vaccination or negative coronavirus test are currently NOT required at any of the 5 locations, subject to the latest Government Guidance.
COVID-19 safety on site
We operate a Covid secure site. The entire experience is outdoors, and we encourage social distancing throughout. We encourage you to wear face masks when you are in close proximity to people you don’t know. Our event has less than 4,000 people per show so we are not required by Government guidelines to check Covid passports.
Is it socially distanced?
The performance is outdoors and capacity has been capped to allow for a safe number of people in each location dependent upon the local Government guidance.
Do I need to wear a face covering?
As an outdoor experience, there is no requirement to wear a face covering during the event
Contact details
Our user support team can be contacted by emailing [email protected]productions.co.uk
