Here at the NTR Portsmouth we are dedicated to making theatre as accessible as possible for all of our guests.

We are proud to offer a range of accessible features throughout the theatre, including:

  • Step-free access;

  • A lift to all levels;

  • Accessible toilet facilities;

  • Wheelchair spaces available on both our stalls and dress circle levels, offering excellent views;

  • Over 70 aisle seats available for everyone to book, on a first-come first-served basis;

  • Relaxed performances;

  • BSL signed Pantomime performance;

  • Assistance dogs welcome;

  • A welcoming Front of House team and volunteers ready to offer support at every stage of your visit.

There is no need to be part of any membership scheme to obtain these benefits, and our friendly staff are more than happy to support and assist you within your time in the venue. As a Victorian Grade II* listed building, we are proud we can offer these accessible features and will continue to strive to make the NTR as accessible as possible to all of our guests both now, and in the future.

To book wheelchair spaces, or discuss access requirements, please contact our friendly Box Office team on 02392 649000.

Disabled Parking

The pay-and-display car park (the Dorothy Dymond) situated opposite the theatre on Alec Rose Lane, behind Starbucks, is for University permit holders only throughout the day from 6am – 6pm Monday to Friday (from September 2022).
After 6pm to 6am weekdays and after 6pm Fridays, over the weekend until 6am Mondays it is a variable hourly rate.  Blue Badge holders do not get free parking.

There are dedicated disabled parking spaces in the Isambard Brunel Multi-Storey Car Park also on Alec Rose Lane, but you will have to pay to park.

Click here to view a map of the area

Physical Access to the Building

There are three steps to get into the Main Foyer and Box Office. We do have street level access to the left of the main entrance; next to the Brewhouse pub we have a buzzer that you can press and a member of our team will assist you.

From the accessible entrance the Matcham Bar is along the corridor and to the right and the Stalls Auditorium is directly ahead.

If you require step free access to the Dress Circle level, there is a lift located in the adjacent University building, our Front of House staff can assist you.  Certain seats are more easily accessible from the lifts than others.

Please note, to access the Dress Circle Bar you have to walk seven steps from the lift level.

Box Office and Front of House staff can advise you of the best route to their seats at the time of booking or when arriving for the performance.

ntr Studio

The studio is located to the rear of the building on the first-floor level.  There is an accessible lift to the first floor and accessible toilet by the Studio.

Accessible Toilets

There is an accessible toilet located by our street level entrance on the ground floor. On the first floor/Dress Circle level the accessible toilet is located close to the lift.

Wheelchair Users

There are four wheelchair spaces on the ground floor/Stalls level and one wheelchair space on the first floor/Dress Circle level. The accessible lift is on the side of the wheelchair space. These seats are bookable by calling or emailing the Box Office.

Performances

We are committed to making sure everyone’s needs are met in order to enjoy the best possible experience. We offer a range of accessible performances and services.

At each performance at the theatre, our trained ushers will be available to assist disabled patrons in accessing our services.

For people with hearing impairments

Signed performances

Signed performances help D/deaf people enjoy our performances. A British Sign Language interpreter stands on or at the side of the stage and interprets the words using British Sign Language (BSL).

We offer a signed performance of our annual pantomime. Any other signed performances are identified on our website and/or via our brochure.

Captioned performances

Captioned performances are for people who are D/deaf or hard of hearing, or for those for whom English is not their first language. Captioning converts words into text that appears on a screen at the same time as they are sung or spoken.

Assistance dogs

Hearing and guide dogs are welcome throughout the venue. For customers not wishing to take their dog into the auditorium, theatre staff are available to ensure they are well looked after during the performance. Please let the Box Office know in advance if you wish to bring your assistance dog.

Relaxed Performances

These are designed to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed performance environment, including people with an Autism Spectrum Condition, sensory and communication disorders, or a learning disability. Relaxed Performances are also suitable for introducing children to their first experience of a performance in a theatre.

Haze, Strobe Lighting & Pyrotechnic Effects

Warning notices advising of the use of strobe lighting effects and pyrotechnic explosives are displayed in the entrance foyer on the day of the performances.

Your comments

We greatly appreciate any suggestions you may have about how we could improve your access.  Please speak to any member of the Front of House staff or email your comments to [email protected].

New Theatre Royal aims to welcome everyone to enjoy our venue and productions. If admission contravenes the conditions of our licence and/or poses a higher than acceptable risk to public safety, we reserve the right to refuse admission to any customer.