We are always striving to provide the best facilities for our customers that require assistance.
Reduced Lift Service Notice
Our lifts are currently getting a well-earned upgrade to help future generations of theatre lovers move around the building with ease, therefore there will be a reduced service. Please leave plenty of time if you require the use of a lift for your visit.
We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
Getting to the theatre
Drop-off points are on Inge Street (next to the National Trust Back to Backs), entering the theatre through the main front doors on Hurst Street.
The best approach to the theatre is on Hurst Street, with bus and rail stations less than half a mile away. Limited disabled parking is available on Hurst Street and Thorp Street. The Arcadian Centre Car Park has specially allocated bays with easy access to street level and only about 150 yds to our entrance.
Inside the theatre
To gain entry to the theatre (Main Entrance, Hurst St), there are automatic doors with a push button on the right, leading to either 6 steps or a ramp into the main foyer area. If you’re looking for our Patrick Studio, this is easily accessible from our Thorp St entrance or from Level 3 inside the theatre.
Automatic doors and lifts are available for wheelchair users and we have wheelchair positions both in our main auditorium and Patrick Studio – which can be booked by calling us or in person at the box office.
We have accessible unisex and ambulant disabled toilets on all levels, plus low-level counter service.
Access Assistance Point
Our Access Assitance Point is located at the top of the ramp at the main Hurst Street Entrance. Here, customers can access the following:
- Access Convo via a Tablet (Convo allows you to instantly connect with BSL Interpreters whenever you need them. Find out more here.)
- Scribble Pad to communicate with staff
- Be issued with Headsets
- Request a lanyard for use during their visit
- Collect pre-booked wheelchairs
- Collect Ear Defenders
- Collect headsets and receivers for our Audio Description system
- Request assistance from staff members and ask any questions that they may have
Ear Defenders
Ear Defenders are available and can be collected from the Access Assistance Point which is located in the main entrance foyer at the top of the ramp.
Audio Description system
In the Main Auditorium and the Patrick studio we use Auri, an Audio Described system designed to make theatre experiences more accessible for our audiences, especially our Visually Impaired, D/deaf and Neurodivergent customers.
The system includes headphones, pocket-sized receivers, and induction loops. The receivers use cutting-edge Bluetooth technology, Auracast, making them compatible with any Auracast-enabled device such as wireless headphones, earbuds, and hearing aids. The receivers have a 3.5mm jack, so you can use your own wired headphones, while the induction loops can be used as usual for hearing aids set to the T function.
Auri provides access to the show relay at every performance, so you can hear the show through headphones, neck loop or compatible Bluetooth device. It also provides Audio Description – a live verbal commentary on the visual elements of a production as it unfolds, which can support visually impaired guests at our Audio Described performances.
To book your equipment for collection on arrival, please call our friendly Access Advisors on 0121 689 1060 who will be happy to help.
Want to know more? Read our FAQs.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome to go into the auditorium with you, however some performances have special effects eg: gun shots, smoke, haze. If you require a member of the Front of House team to look after your dog please register this when booking your tickets. Our trained Front of House team will toilet your dogs should you require. We do have wheelchair lounges that some audience members find useful for their dogs as there is more space for them to stretch out. Please ask for more details when booking.