Arena Theatre
Overview
The Arena Theatre is a 150-seat small scale touring venue in the heart of Wolverhampton, providing an inclusive theatre experience for everyone. The Arena started in 1976 in the disused basement gym of Wolverhampton Polytechnic, by the Drama and Performing Arts department. Originally it was a space for student performances, local schools, and community groups, but as time went by small professional touring theatre companies and musicians started to perform in the space as well. With time and support from the Arts Council England, the theatre grew and provided more public events, leading to its reputation as much-loved organisation well known for its diverse work, which reflects Wolverhampton's rich cultural heritage. Move forward 20 years, and that gym-come-theatre had outgrown its cramped and inaccessible home, so with investment from the University of Wolverhampton and a grant from the National Lottery, an ambitious £2 million refurbishment began, and with it came one of the first purpose built for access theatre spaces in the UK. The Arena Theatre re-opened in October 1999. With greatly improved access facilities and a determination to lead in inclusive theatre. Work by disabled artists and companies were programmed, alongside culturally diverse work which all continues to strongly feature in the work we continue to programme. The Arena quickly gained a reputation within the industry as a leader in accessible work. The Arena is committed to providing a safe space for all and theatre for everyone. The Arena Theatre is supported in its bid to be inclusive by funding from the Arts Council England and by the University of Wolverhampton. Everyone at the Arena Theatre continues to work towards making theatre for everyone and is constantly looking for new ways in which we can develop and enhance the experience at the Arena Theatre. We are very proud of the work we do and are very proud to be a part of this wonderfully diverse city.
Contact details
Wulfruna Street Wolverhampton West Midlands West Midlands WV1 1SE United Kingdom
https://www.wlv.ac.uk/arena-theatre/visit-us/accessibility/
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Access Card notes
The Arena Theatre champions an open door policy, meaning we offer a welcoming and accessible environment for all. We want you to enjoy your visit, so we take any associated worries and difficulties away that you may have. You can find out more about our accessible information for performances here. To find out more about accessible performances we have on offer for our current season, click here. We also have a large print brochure, audio brochure and visual guide available online. We are always looking to improve our access provision. If you have any suggestions, please contact our Access and Inclusion Manager, Kirsty Povey, by e-mailing K.Povey2@wlv.ac.uk.
This provider accepts the Access Card as supporting documentation for accessible facilities and tickets. The information in this listing is submitted by the provider.
Access guidance
- We have seating on all levels of the theatre and we have plenty of ushers to assist in making your visit as comfortable as possible. Please let us know your requirements. Our staff are happy to bring refreshments to your seat inside the auditorium at the interval. We have specific seats in our balcony areas, and on the front row and on our cross isle.
- From the minute you come through the front door and head into our auditorium, you will notice the flooring is all on one level. We are completely accessible to wheelchair users, and recommend that those in wheelchairs sit on either balcony, or alternatively a member of Front of House staff can take you down to row A. We also recommend those with limited mobility sit on either balcony, row H or a member of staff can similarly take you down in the lift to row A - there are minimal stairs to rows G, B, and C as well so these are also an option. Please let the Box Office know at time of booking whether you, or a member of your party, has limited mobility or is in a wheelchair - we ensure you are seated first and comfortable before we let the main body of the audience in.
- From the minute you walk from the front door and head into our auditorium, you will notice the flooring is all on one level. We are completely accessible to wheelchair users, and those with mobility issues. there is ample seating from our front door to the foyer, and then from the foyer to the auditorium. Please let the Box Office know at time of booking whether you, or a member of your party, has limited mobility or is in a wheelchair - we ensure you are seated first and comfortable before we let the main body of the audience in.
- Our accessible toilet is situated past the first auditorium door. If you would like to use it, please just let a member of staff know. This toilet also has baby changing facilities.
- Assistance dogs of all kinds are welcome in to the Arena Theatre foyer, cafe and performance spaces. We are happy to provide bowls of water during their visit. If your assistance dog is skittish with loud or sudden noises, we are happy to look after them in the Box Office whilst the performance or film is ongoing. There is a grassed area across the road from the theatre where dogs can go for toileting.
- The Arena Theatre offers complimentary tickets for companions and carers assisting disabled customers to performances and cinema screenings
- All members of the Arena Theatre team are trained in guiding the visually impaired. Please do not be afraid to let us know at the time of booking, or when you arrive, if you require assistance. We can also guide you to and from taxis outside of the building, and phone the taxi for you to ensure you arrive home safely.
- Our audio and large print brochures are available online. If you would like a physical copy, please contact our Access and Inclusion Manager, Kirsty Povey, on 01902 322532 or K.Povey2@wlv.ac.uk. BSL - or signed performances - are for deaf and hearing-impaired people who want to experience theatre. Signed performances give deaf and hearing-impaired people a live interpretation of the words spoken on stage by the actor(s). A trained BSL interpreter - usually standing to one side of the stage and clearly lit - interprets the words and language used by the performers at the same time it is being performed. We recommend our deaf and Hearing-impaired patrons sit a little closer to the stage to get a good view of the interpreter. Please ensure you tell our box office staff you are booking to use the interpreter and they will seat you appropriately. If you require any further assistance which has not been mentioned above, please just give the Box Office a call on 01902 321 321. We are here and happy to help, and you may also be helping someone else out too!
- In our bid to make sure that everyone can enjoy theatre, we offer a range of equipment that might make your time with us a little more comfortable. Below is a list of equipment that might assist you. Audio Description Equipment Sennheiser infrared Enhanced Hearing Loop Halo Headsets. Parents, Babies and Children Ear defenders (6 months +) Booster seats Sensory bag We currently have ten sensory bags available. These bags contain: Sand timers Ear defenders Fidget toys Visual guides If you would like to borrow any of the equipment, please speak to the Box Office at your earliest convenience. If you have a requirement that we currently don't cater for please contact k.povey2@wlv.ac.uk If you require any further assistance which has not been mentioned above, please just give the Box Office a call on 01902 321 321. We are here and happy to help, and you may also be helping someone else out too!