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Royal & Derngate

• Theatre and Live Performance venues
• Theatre and Live Performance venues

Overview

Contact details

19-21 Guildhall Road Northampton Northampton NN1 1DP GB

https://royalandderngate.co.uk/your-visit/access-information/

access@royalandderngate.co.uk

01604 624811

Access guidance

• Arrival - You may be asked to queue briefly for security bag checks and ticket scanning. Having your tickets ready and bringing minimal items where possible can help make this process quicker. Facilities – At busier times, queues may form for bar service, ice cream trays, toilets, and the cloakroom. Getting to Your Seat – Our ushers will check tickets and guide you to your seat, which may involve a short wait at the auditorium entrance. Exiting – When the performance ends, you may experience short queues as audiences leave the building all together.
• If you find standing difficult, there are several ways we aim to support you during your visit. Seating is available throughout our foyers, with chairs and tables in the bar areas, as well as benches at our entrances and nearby Accessible Toilet facilities. Our Access Hosts are on hand to help and can assist you by going to the bar on your behalf, or by offering support if you need to wait in a quieter or more comfortable space. Please speak to the team on arrival if you need support.
• Our Foyers and Entrances can become very busy before performances, during the interval and after the show. If you find yourself struggling at any point, please speak to any member of our Customer Experience Team who can assist you with getting to where you need to go, or find somewhere quieter for you until the crowd disperses. A Sensory Space is made available for relaxed performances and family-focussed shows. This is a quiet space where you can take a break from the show or busy foyer and relax. Our sensory space has a lay-down pod, floor cushions, colouring and puzzles. You can also borrow a Sensory Bag from our Access Hosts, these include fidget toys, ear defenders, sunglasses and communication cards. Our Access Hosts are on hand if you find you are struggling and they will guide you to our Sensory Space or other quiet or open space.
• Some areas of the auditorium have steep stairs and may not be suitable for people with limited mobility. There is no lift access to the Royal or Derngate Upper Circles - we would recommend anyone with mobility issues speaks directly to our Box Office team before booking, or books in the Stalls or Circles.
• - Approximately 60 metres from the Main Entrance to the Derngate Auditorium - Approximately 90 metres from the Main Entrance to the Royal Auditorium - Approximately 70 metres from the Main Entrance to the Underground Studio
• Accessible toilet facilities are available. Baby changing facilities are on both our entrance and Underground levels. There is an adult changing facility with hoist located next to Underground 1&2, accessible by lift. A RADAR key is required to gain entrance to this facility. Please speak to one of our dedicated Access Hosts - who wear orange ties to stand out - who will be happy to help.
• We welcome all Assistance Dogs and water can be provided. We also offer free “doggy” ice cream for all service dogs visiting the theatre for a performance. If you wish to take your dog into the auditorium, please let Box Office know when booking so that suitable seats are assigned to you.
• Audio Description: Audio Description is available at selected performances and is delivered live through radio frequency headsets. These performances are clearly marked in our season brochure and on our Access Enhanced Performance Listings, or you can contact our Box Office team for guidance. On arrival, simply ask our Access Host for a headset. Audio Enhancement: Audio Enhancement is available for all performances via Sennheiser Mobile Connect. This system allows you to listen through your own smartphone or table device with headphones and enhances the sound volume on stage. Touch Tours: For many of our Audio-Described Performances, we offer a free Touch Tour. This is an opportunity to experience the stage and set up close with our audio describer. You will be able to explore and touch set pieces, props and costumes. Touch Tours last around 30 minutes and are for specifically for visually impaired customers, those on the autistic spectrum or those with learning difficulties or additional needs. Spaces are limited so please speak to our Box Office team when booking your ticket to a performance.
• BSL Interpreted Performances These performances have British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation throughout, delivered by an interpreter. The interpreter stands to the right of the stage in a spotlight. Captioned Performances At captioned performances large screens are positioned on either side of the stage. The actors’ spoken words convert into visible text.
• Please be aware that there is a steep hill to walk up from St John’s Car Park to the Main Entrance on Swan Street. Relaxed Performances During Relaxed performances elements of the show adapt to reduce anxiety and stress. These performances welcome those who would like to see the show in a less formal atmosphere. Whilst the narrative of the show does not change, we make small adjustments to sound levels and special effects. We operate an ‘open door’ policy, allowing free movement in and out of the auditorium during the performance. These performances adapt to benefit those on the autistic spectrum, younger audiences those living with dementia or those with learning difficulties or additional needs. Relaxed Performances are also a great first encounter to the magic of theatre! Visual Story Guides We recognise that visiting the theatre can seem quite daunting so visitors can access our Visual Story Guides, which tell a story from arriving at the doors right through to the end of the show so you can get a good understanding of what to expect from your visit. Our guides include photos of the venue, information about access facilities and trigger warnings about the show that you are coming to watch. Dementia Friendly Performances These performances support audience members living with Dementia, their families, friends and carers. We make small adaptations to the show to which may include sound and light levels. There are extra staff on hand to support audiences and have a relaxed attitude to movement and audience reactions during the show.