Access information
We want to make your visit to Norwich Theatre as enjoyable and comfortable as possible, so here you can find more information regarding our services and accessibility in all areas of our venues.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Visitor Services on 01603 598500.
Our services
Guide/assistance dogs
Registered assistance dogs are welcome and can be taken into the auditorium. Please mention this when booking and you’ll be offered an aisle seat and told about any special effects that might affect your dog’s comfort. Alternatively, guide dogs can be left in the care of front-of-house staff.
Hearing headsets & enhancements
Headsets amplifying the sound from the stage are available to borrow from the Welcome Point in the Foyer. For patrons with hearing aids we offer necklace hearing loops. An induction loop is fitted within the auditorium. If you have a digital hearing aid, please check with your audiologist that your hearing aid is loop-enabled for use at the theatre.
Personal assistant tickets
If you require the support of a carer or companion to access the Theatre Royal or Playhouse, let us know when booking. A complimentary ticket is available to Personal Assistants. Terms & conditions apply.
For more information call our Box Office on 01603 630000.
Access Performances
We are proud to offer a programme of accessible performances across the Norwich Theatre throughout the year, including: Captioned Performances; Signed Performances (British Sign Language); Audio Described Performances with Touch Tours; Dementia Friendly Performances and Relaxed Performances. More details on each type of performance can be found below.
Access performance types
Audio Described
Theatre-goers will be given a headset and listen to a live description of the action on stage. The description only happens in between dialogue and supplements the voices of the performers in explaining the emotions and action of each scene. Patrons requiring this service wear discreet headphones (supplied on free loan from the Welcome Point in the Theatre Royal Foyer). Where possible, an audio introduction (describing the settings, characters and costumes) will be made available.
British Sign Language
BSL Interpreted/Delivered Events are designed to improve the experience for people who are deaf or hearing impaired. A BSL interpreter will stand on the stage and give a British Sign Language interpretation of the text sung or spoken by the actors and singers on the stage.
Captioned
Allows theatregoers with varying degrees of hearing to view the full text as it is spoken or sung, including sound effects and off-stage noises. Screens to either side of the stage relay the words and lyrics as they are delivered. The captions include sound effects, as well as the character’s name, and are synchronised with the actor’s delivery on stage enabling patrons to follow the dialogue as it is spoken.
Relaxed
Open to everyone, but particularly appropriate for anyone who may find the usual theatre environment challenging, be that due to an Autism Spectrum Condition, a learning disability, or a fear of the dark, loud noises or confined spaces.
Dementia Friendly
Open to all but slightly adapted to be more appropriate for people living with dementia, with trained staff on hand to help with your visit. During the performance, the lights inside the theatre will remain on at a low level, sound levels will be monitored and any special effects softened to ensure the experience remains comfortable for everyone.
Touch Tours
For blind or partially sighted theatre-goers, a touch tour gives patrons the opportunity to explore the set and handle selected props, costumes and furniture before an audio described performance. Touch tours usually last approximately 30 minutes. Please ask Box Office for more details when booking your ticket.
Virtual Tours
At the Playhouse
The Playhouse is committed to making a visit as accessible & enjoyable experience for all our patrons.
Building access
The building is accessible in all public areas and on stage to people using wheelchairs and those with mobility difficulties. There are three wheelchair accessible spaces in the auditorium, reached using a platform stairlift. The stairlift is able to carry a max weight of 280kgs. The platform is 1.25m long by 0.90m wide (slightly less when the safety arms are lowered). This unfortunately means we are unable to accommodate guests using some types of heavy electric wheelchairs so please contact box office on 01603 630 000 before booking if you think you might exceed the limit and for more information on stair free access. There are also two end seats in the main seating area for people who are able to transfer from collapsible aids.
Toilets
Accessible toilets are both inside and on the bar terrace.
Hearing loop
The Playhouse has a Sennheiser infra-red system to help the hard of hearing. Two models of headset are available, one for use with a hearing aid and one without. They work best when used in the central seats in the auditorium. If a digital hearing aid is worn, please check if it is loop-enabled with your supplier.
New digital hearing aids are programmed like computers with a vast amount of options available, so it is important to ask your supplier to make sure that your hearing aid is set up for the best reception in a theatre. The standard post-office loop is not always the best choice for accessing extra volume in a theatre and your hearing aid supplier may well be able to improve the compatibility between your hearing aid and our Sennheiser System.
Seats at the Playhouse
We have two types of seat at the Playhouse The Balcony and Main Auditorium.
The Balcony seats are roughly 440mm wide between the arms with a seat pad width of 420mm, Leg room 330mm with arms rests either side which cannot be removed.
The Main Auditorium are roughly 460mm wide between the arms with a seat pad width of 430mm, Leg room 250mm with arms rests either side which cannot be removed.
If you have any other questions please contact our team in advance via info@norwichtheatre.org or 01603 630 000 and we can discuss how to make your visit more comfortable.
