Access & Accessible performances
At Worcester Theatres we do our very best to make our venues accessible for everyone. Below you will find some information about access at our venues, our Accessible performances as well as answers to some commonly asked questions.
If you have any questions about accessibility at our venues, please call our Box Office on 01905 611 427 or email [email protected]. Please advise the Box Office or Front of House staff, before and during your visit, if you require any assistance at all and we will do all we can to help.
Wheelchair Users
The auditoriums at both venues are fully wheelchair accessible. The bar and toilets at Huntingdon Hall are accessible by lift. The bar and toilets at the Swan Theatre are all on the same level. The access to the Swan Studio is via a flight of stairs but there is a stair lift available. There is also a stair lift available in the Swan Theatre foyer.
Booking Wheelchair Spaces Online
You can book wheelchair spaces online by following these steps:
- Choose the event you wish to buy tickets for
- On the righthand side of the seat map, it says ‘Do you need accessible seating?’
- Click ‘Yes, show me accessible seating’
- A notification will appear that says ‘Are you sure you want to switch to inventory with accessible seating?’ – click ‘Switch’ and our accessible seating options will appear.
- Here you can purchase tickets for wheelchair spaces as well as carer tickets should you need to.
Audio Assistance
The Swan Theatre has an infrared hearing assistance system that works either with a hearing aid or without. Separate receiving equipment is available free of charge from the Front of House staff.
If you are worried a performance may be audibly overwhelming, there are Ear Defenders available at the Swan Theatre, please just ask a member of staff. Bear in mind these are subject to availability so where possible, please let us know before your visit if this is something you require.
Guide/Assistance Dogs
We welcome all guide dogs and assistance dogs. Please let the Box Office know at the time of booking and they will make the suitable arrangements to accommodate your dog without causing obstruction in the auditorium.
Accessible Seating
There are a limited number of wheelchair spaces available at both Huntingdon Hall and the Swan Theatre. There is space for up to 4 wheelchair users and accompanying carers, at one time, at the Swan Theatre. There is space for up to 3 wheelchair users and accompanying carers, at one time, at Huntingdon Hall. If your needs exceed this limit, please call our Box Office and our team will be able to advise the best positioning in each venue.
Please advise our team before your visit or once you arrive if you require assistance to your seat, or if there is anything else we can do to make your visit more pleasant and we will be happy to help.
Carer Tickets
Tickets for carers are always complimentary. You can book a carer ticket through our Box Office and online. To book your carer ticket online simply click on an allocated wheelchair space and click the pencil icon on the right hand side. An option will appear for a Companion Seat.
Online bookings are limited to one wheelchair user and one companion so if you need to book more than this, please call our Box Office on 01905611427.
Accessible Performances
Below you will find some detail on what you can expect from your Relaxed, BSL, Dementia Friendly and Audio Described performances.
Relaxed Performances: Our Relaxed Performances are suitable for everyone but tailored to those who would benefit from a more relaxed and easy-going environment. We have an open-door policy so patrons are free to come and go from the auditorium as they please. The house lights in the auditorium will be on so you can see and move with ease. The sound will be adjusted to more comfortable levels with less intensity. The characters are introduced at the beginning of the performance so the audience can become more familiar with them, making it easier to follow along.
On a whole the ‘Theatre Etiquette’ is much more relaxed at these performances; patrons can do what suits them best and our friendly House managers and volunteers are always on hand to help support your needs.
Audio Described: Our Audio Described performance is exactly the same as our other performances but with extra provisions for people who are blind or partially sighted. Headsets will be available to those that need them, which provide an audible description of the action taking place on stage so that you can follow along with what is happening. You can pick up your headphones on the night, just let our Box Office know in advance how many you need and we can ensure there are plenty available. At performances where Audio Description is provided, we also offer a free Touch Tour 90 minutes before the performance. Touch Tours offer you the chance to familiarise yourself with the set and costumes before the performance. Places are limited and can be booked via [email protected] or by calling our Outreach team on 01905 726969.
Dementia Friendly: Similar to our Relaxed performances, our Dementia Friendly performance is suitable for all but designed to support those living with Dementia, their families and carers. We have an open-door policy so patrons are free to come and go from the auditorium as and when they please. The house lights in the auditorium will be on so you can see and move with ease. The sound will be adjusted to more comfortable levels with less intensity. Similar to the above, the ‘Theatre Etiquette’ is much more relaxed at these performances; patrons can do what suits them best and our friendly House managers and volunteers are always on hand to help support your needs. Carers also go free to our Dementia Friendly performances.
BSL (British Sign Language Interpreted): Our BSL Interpreted performances are suitable for everyone but with extra provisions for those who are deaf, have hearing loss and those who use British Sign Language. A BSL interpreter will be visible on the side of the stage interpreting the words and songs live throughout the performance.
Relaxed Programme
Each year for our Pantomime Relaxed Performances, we provide a Relaxed Programme/Visual Story to help you prepare for your trip to the theatre in advance, making your visit stress-free and enjoyable. The programme includes:
- An introduction to our venue, our various spaces and facilities (Foyer, Bar, Toilets etc.)
- An introduction to the actors, what they look like and who they will be playing.
- A breakdown of the plot and description of each scene to help you follow the story.
- A list of key words and phrases that provide context for the show.
The relaxed programme will be available for download as soon as possible via our website and upon request, please email [email protected].
Inclusive Worcestershire Leader
Worcester Theatres is incredibly proud to be an INclusive Worcestershire Leader, meaning we are continuously striving for positive change within our organization. We believe everyone is entitled to fair and unbiased treatment and we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer.
Inclusive Worcestershire is a programme designed to help businesses embrace diversity and inclusion. If you would like to find out more about their work and how to be involved, visit their website and read the INclusive Emplyoment Magazine here: INCLUSIVE Worcestershire - CLICK HERE
