Relaxed Exhibition Viewings | L.S. Lowry: The Theatre of Life

MK Gallery is running relaxed exhibition viewings for L.S. Lowry: The Theatre of Life, with the first one on Sunday 1 November. These are quiet hours tailored for disabled and neurodivergent visitors, or anyone with sensory needs who prefers a quieter gallery experience. They're held on Sunday mornings from 10 to 11am, and there are more dates to follow: 6 December, 3 January 2027, and 7 February 2027.

Inside, the gallery is dialled down to make things easier. Ear defenders and sensory aids are available to borrow, and the hand dryers in the toilets are switched off. Tickets are limited to keep numbers low, and you can get a Social Story and a Sensory Menu beforehand, so you know exactly what to expect before you walk through the door. It's a good way to see the show without the usual noise and bustle of a busy gallery.

The viewings are part of the wider L.S. Lowry: The Theatre of Life exhibition, a major solo show of work by Laurence Stephen Lowry (1887–1976). Most of us know him for those industrial landscapes of northwest England, but the work he did outside those iconic scenes is far less known. This show marks the 50th anniversary of his death and arrives thirteen years after his last major institutional temporary exhibition, Lowry and the Painting of Modern Life at Tate Britain. It aims to cover the full breadth of his subjects, from landscapes and seascapes to portraits and surreal imaginings.

So if you've always wanted to see Lowry but find a standard gallery visit a bit much, these sessions give you the space to take your time. They run from 10 to 11am on the Sundays mentioned, and tickets range from free up to £15.95.