Access

The main entrance is situated on The Brook and is approached via steps with handrails either side. There are automatic doors at the top of the stairs and an electric platform lift for wheelchairs and pushchairs. There is a secondary entrance on Whiffens Avenue, with a ramped entrance at street level but no automated door.

On the ground floor, there is wheelchair access to the conference room, box office, café, gallery and the toilet for disabled people. A lift in the ground floor foyer can then provide further access to the main theatre, the studio theatre and the theatre bar on the second floor. Four wheelchair spaces per performance are available in the main theatre and one per performance in the studio theatre.

Venue layout

Basement - two flights of stairs lead to:

• the basement dance studio,
• the basement drama studio,
• the function room.

Ground floor:

• conference room,
• large dance studio,
• small dance studio,
• café,
• art gallery,
• box office,
• vending services
• ladies and disabled toilets,
• two steps leading up to the gentlemen’s toilets, activity room and meeting room.

First floor (accessible by either the main stairs or a passenger lift):

• Studio Theatre,
• Main Theatre,
• Mayor’s Parlour
• bar are all on the first floor.

Facilities for customers with disabilities

An infra-red loop hearing system is fitted in the main theatre. Customers wishing to use this system should call at the box office to collect a hearing device. A loop system is also fitted in the studio theatre, conference room and large dance studio. Customers wishing to use the system in these rooms should switch their hearing aids to T.

There are also:

• low range, portable loop systems available by arrangement with the Duty Manager;
• voice amplification systems at the box office;
• high contrast, tactile signs throughout the theatre;
• four wheelchair spaces per performance are available in the Main Theatre and one is available in the Studio Theatre.

Other services

• Sign language interpretation - certain shows will be sign language interpreted and you can find this information in the theatre brochures.
• Strobe lighting - warning notices advising of the use of stroboscopic lighting effects are displayed in the entrance foyer on the day of the performances concerned.
• Large print – theatre brochures are both available, on request, in large print.
• Assisted Access Scheme.

Both theatres regret that bookings for wheelchair users cannot be made online. If you would like to book tickets for a wheelchair user, please contact the box office using the information at the foot of this page and staff will contact you during normal office hours.