Relæxt(no)

– welcome to a shush-free zone!

All official selections - 2026

About

Relæxt – Welcome to a Shush-Free Zone is a warm and insightful documentary that presents Norway’s first relaxed performance initiative, launched at Hålogaland Teater (HT) in Tromsø. Inspired by relaxed performance models originally developed in the UK, Relæxt aims to make cultural experiences more accessible and enjoyable for audiences who often feel excluded due to strict etiquette and other barriers, particularly children and youth living with disabilities. The development of the Tromsø model of relaxed performances is fundamentally rooted in an action research design and user involvement.

Through a narrative built on real-life stories, the film follows key figures behind the Relæxt project – organisers, artists, researchers, and audience members – who share their experiences of creating and participating in “shush-free” performances. Using interviews, event footage, and personal stories, the documentary highlights how relaxed performances challenge conventional norms and foster inclusive, welcoming environments. Importantly, the documentary addresses a rights-based perspective: children and youth living with disabilities in Norway continue to face barriers that prevent their full participation in arts and cultural life. This exclusion persists despite international human rights conventions and national laws mandating equal access to cultural experiences for all citizens. Relæxt responds to this gap by offering a model and educational program that promote inclusion, dignity, and creative wellbeing, demonstrating how cultural experiences can support both individual and community flourishing. As Relæxt rapidly expands to other cities in Norway including Bodø, Stavanger, Trondheim, and Oslo, it has been essential to develop a learning path (Undervisningssti – Relæxt) to help new practitioners and institutions understand and implement the ethical and practical foundations of the approach. The educational program aims to anchor the commitment cultural institutions make to their audiences, as well as the responsibility that comes with it. The documentary plays a key role in the learning path, leveraging the genre’s pedagogical power to communicate the values, engagement, and transformative impact of Relæxt.

Specifications

Pedagogical value

The Relæxt project may be described as an educational journey into accessible arts. Inspired by relaxed performance models in the UK, Relæxt aims to make cultural experiences more accessible and enjoyable for audiences who often feel excluded due to strict etiquette and other barriers, particularly children and youth living with disabilities. The documentary Relæxt – Welcome to a Shush-Free Zone presents Norway’s first relaxed performance initiative, launched in Tromsø. The development of Relæxt is fundamentally rooted in user involvement and an action research design, including 50+ research interviews with children, youth, families, organisers, artists, and user organisations on their experiences with and perspectives on how relaxed performances should be developed in the Nordic context to challenge conventional norms and foster accessible arts. This research has continuously been implemented into the further development of the Relæxt model and a digital educational program, launched at https:/www.relaext.no and at several university learning platforms. As Relæxt rapidly expands in Nordic countries, it has been important to develop a learning path to help practitioners and institutions understand and implement ethical and practical foundations. The educational program aims to anchor the commitment cultural institutions make to their audiences and the responsibility that comes with it. The program is also suited for students. The documentary plays a key role in the learning path, leveraging the genre’s pedagogical power to communicate the values, engagement, and transformative impact of Relæxt. Alongside this film, there is an introductory video, accessible handouts for different stakeholders, visual guides, and tools for reflection. For those eager to dive deeper, we have created a supplementary learning path with scientific articles and resources that invite further exploration into relaxed performance and an inclusive cultural future.

Info

Original title:	Relæxt – Welcome to a Shush-Free Zone!
Director:	Terje Rafaelsen
Country:	Norway
Year:	2024
Runtime:	14 m 30 s
Language:	Norwegian/English

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