Accessibility

Octagon
Access to the Octagon is via a sweeping ramp up to the front entrance and automatic doors. There are accessible toilets at this level in the lower foyer. Access to the bar and the Main Space is via a passenger lift up to the next floor. Wheelchair positions are available for all seated events, and we have a limited number of wheelchair spaces and access seats available for standing events. If you wish to attend a standing event and need a wheelchair space or an access seat, please contact us before purchasing your ticket to check that we have access spaces available. You will then need either an Access Card or a Performance Venues Digital Access Pass number to book wheelchair positions or access seats at standing events. Further details can be found in the Access Card section below. On arrival, please contact a member of our team who will be able to help you locate the space allocated for you to enjoy the show.

Drama Studio
Access to the Drama Studio front entrance is from street level up a flight of eleven stone steps to the forecourt followed by an additional four steps to the front doors. There are handrails to both sides of the sets of steps and corduroy tactile paving to assist those with visual impairment. Wheelchair access is via the accessible entrance off Shearwood Road to the left hand side of the theatre. This access leads directly into the auditorium and to the wheelchair positions at the front of the seating block. There is an accessible toilet at this level to the right of the auditorium.

Firth Hall
Step free access is provided to Firth Court via the ramp to the left of the main entrance. To enter the building via this entrance please ring the intercom on arrival. Once inside the building accessible toilets are situated on the ground floor. A lift is available to the concert hall on the first floor. A member of the team can meet you on arrival if you wish. A basic hearing loop is available for both acoustic and amplified concerts, please contact us in advance if required.

Please note, access to the lift is not completely clear – the main accessible lift is on the corridor with the accessible toilet, through double doors away from the box office. This lift requires buttons to be pushed and held to operate, and is quite slow.

An additional lift is available on the ground floor corridor. To reach the other lift please turn left towards the toilets, and right at the end. The lift is around 3/4 of the way down the long corridor, Firth Hall is on the 1st floor.

For more visual information and pictures please visit the AccessAble website.

Please also note that the distance to the hall entrance via the lift is further than immediate access via the stairs, so if you are not a wheelchair user, in some cases, this is the easier route. If you would like any assistance or guidance when you arrive please speak to a member of staff.

One parking bay outside Firth Hall is reserved for accessible parking at all times, and other bays can be booked through the Performance Venues Team.

All venues are fitted with both a hearing induction loop and an infra-red hearing system which are operational throughout the auditorium. Receivers for the infra-red hearing system are available from the Duty Managers. For events in Firth Hall, the hearing loop is not currently automatic for acoustic events, so please contact us in advance.

Where Audio Described or Captioned performances are available, this will be indicated within the details of the specific event.

We recognise that in order for some of our customers to be able to fully access the performance and take advantage of all that we have to offer they may require support from another person.

It is our policy that where a person requires assistance to access the event they are attending we make available one free ticket which will enable a guest with access requirements to bring an essential companion/personal assistant with them to support them with their access needs.

To book an essential companion ticket, you will need to get in touch to confirm we have tickets available and provide us with either your Access Card details or apply for a free Performance Venues Digital Access Pass number.

The role of an Essential Companion

By accepting the free ticket, your essential companion accepts responsibility for providing the support you need to attend an event. This includes being able to provide you with additional assistance during the course of an emergency evacuation.

The staff at the event are unable to provide assistance in excess of their typical role and general reasonable adjustments so it’s important that, if a customer needs assistance while at the venue, their companion is ready and willing to support them with this.