Become an Access Member
Visitors with access requirements are encouraged to join our Access Membership scheme — once a member, you can inform us of any access requirements.
Please note, it can take up to 48 hours for us to process and enable Access Membership applications and renewals.
If you require continual supervision or assistance during your visit you may be eligible for a discounted Essential Companion ticket. The companion must be able to help the disabled person access the theatre and its facilities, remaining with them to ensure their well-being and comfort. All tickets are subject to availability at the time of booking.
Click here to fill out our online Access Membership Form
Please call the Box Office on 023 9264 9000 or email [email protected] for further details.
Disabled Parking
The pay-and-display car park (the Dorothy Dymond) situated opposite the theatre on Alec Rose Lane, behind Starbucks, is now for University permit holders only throughout the day from 6am – 6pm Monday to Friday (from September 2022).
After 6pm to 6am weekdays it is a flat charge of £3.20 payable via paybyphone, and after 6pm Fridays, over the weekend until 6am Mondays it is a variable hourly rate, starting at £3.20 for 2 hours, again payable via paybyphone. 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.
Minghella 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 1st floor/Dress Circle level the accessible toilet is located close to the lift.
Wheelchair Users
There are five wheelchair spaces on the ground floor/Stalls level and one wheelchair space on the 1st 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; if you are an Access Member these can also be booked online. Additional seating can be provided for a companion.
Mobility vehicles
As the use of motorised mobility scooters in the busy public areas of the theatre may pose a hazard, customers who are unable to access the Theatre by other means must inform the Box Office at the time of booking or (where tickets have not been pre-booked) immediately upon arrival. Our staff will then be able to provide customers with information regarding the safe use of the scooter in the theatre, and should patrons not require the scooter to enter the auditorium, where to park them in the designated area.
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 access 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 signed performances on selected dates throughout the year. The 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.
For people with visual impairments
Touch Tours
Enable customers to explore the set, props and costumes used within specific productions. These take place 90 minutes before a described performance and last approximately 30 minutes. We also offer customers the chance to explore the theatre, although some backstage areas are inaccessible due to the nature of the buildings.
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 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.