Tuesday, 17 April 2012

Singin' In The Rain & The Palace Theatre

Welcome back to Access London and Thank You once again for helping to support Disabled Access to the Arts.

Following its critically-acclaimed, sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre, Singin' in the Rain is currently running at London's Palace Theatre.

"It's the roaring 20's and silent movie stars are the biggest names in the world. Don Lockwood has it all, a string of hit films and a studio-engineered romance with the most beautiful actress in town. But with the new phenomenon of the talking picture on the way and a chance meeting with a talented young chorus girl set to steal his heart, things are about to change for Don and for Hollywood forever.

With all the charm, romance, comedy and tinsel town glamour of one of the world's best-loved films, Jonathan Church's brand new production features a glorious score including the classics Good Morning, Make 'em Laugh, Moses Supposes and the legendary Singin' in the Rain.

Adam Cooper, Daniel Crossley and Scarlett Strallen are a joyous trio, dazzling in the roles made famous by Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds. They lead a multi-talented cast which also features Katherine Kingsley as the hilarious blonde bombshell Lina Lamont, Michael Brandon as the highly-strung studio boss trying to win Hollywood's biggest prize, the first hit 'talkie' and Sandra Dickinson as gossip columnist Dora Bailey.

With stylish, soaring choreography from Andrew Wright and Simon Higlett's sumptuous set design, Singin' in the Rain will shower you with everything you could ever want in a hit West End musical!"



Performances are Monday - Saturday evenings at 7.30pm. There are also Matinee performances at 3.00pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays.




Access into the theatre: If you are able to negotiate some steps then, there are two steps up to the foyer, through a set of double swing doors. The Box Office, however, has level access through the first door on Shaftesbury Avenue. The Box office also has a lowered counter for easy wheelchair access. All of the stairs in the theatre have highlights and handrails on both sides. There are 3 steps down from the foyer to the Stalls, 30 steps up to the Dress Circle, 56 to the Upper Circle, 77 to the Balcony, which is very steep. The theatre opens 45 minutes before the performance.

For wheelchair and scooter users and for those who cannot manage stairs, there is an Accessible entrance through a side EXIT door on Shaftesbury Avenue. Please contact a member of staff at the front doors on arrival and someone will open this door for you. This entrance has One 3cm step into the theatre and a slight incline to the Stalls. A ramp can be placed over the 3cm step for you, simply ask the Access Assistant who opens the door. The stalls have 2 wheelchair spaces in W26 and W27 with companion seats too. Transfer seating is available to aisle seats within the stalls. A maximum of 4 wheelchairs and 1 scooter can be stored at the back of the stalls per performance.

There is an adapted WC near the Accessible entrance at the back of the stalls. There is an infra-red system operating in the auditorium and an induction loop in the Box Office. Headsets are available from the theatre foyer. If you cannot manage steps, please inform a member of staff who will bring a headset to you. Assistance dogs are allowed into the auditorium. Alternatively, staff can dog-sit during the performance. A maximum of 4 dogs are permitted into the theatre per performance.

There is no level access to a bar at The Palace. However, drinks can be brought to disabled patrons in the auditorium.

The next Signed Performance is on Thursday 21st June 2012.
The next Audio Described Performance is on Tuesday 11th September 2012.
The next Captioned Performance is on Thursday 13th September 2012.


To book discounted Access tickets to Singin' In The Rain, please call the Access booking line on 0844 412 4648.

Monday, 2 April 2012

The Lion King & Lyceum Theatre

Welcome back to Access London and Thank You once again for your continued support for Disabled Access to the Arts in London.

The Award Winning show Disney's The Lion King is in its 13th year at the Lyceum Theatre. Based on Disney's animated film by the same title and featuring music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice and musical score by Hans Zimmer, the show has proved to be a hit in town!

"Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains to the evocative rhythms of Africa, this spectacular production explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and enchanting music to tell the timeless story of Simba and his epic journey to fulfil his destiny as King of the Pridelands."

Performances are on Tuesday-Saturday evenings at 7.30pm and 2.30pm matinee performances on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.




The Lyceum Theatre is located on Wellington Street, Covent Garden and just off The Strand making it central and near to transport links such as Charing Cross Station. If arriving in a wheelchair, please be aware that Covent Garden piazza is cobbled (although there is a paved walkway around most of the perimeter) and also dropped kerbs are lacking in some side streets. If you are arriving via The Strand, you should have no difficulty. If driving, there are 2 blue badge bays outside the theatre. There are also 3-4 blue badge bays opposite the Opera House. However, due to recent works in the area, these ones do seem to be closed on occasions so I can only advise that you ring Westminster Council before you travel to find out if they are in operation or not. There are also several other bays dotted around the Covent Garden area.

If you don't use a wheelchair or scooter and can manage some steps, the Lyceum's main entrance has 3 steps up to its Lower Foyer. From here, the nearest seating area is the stalls, a further 7 steps down from the Foyer. If you are a wheelchair or scooter user or cannot manage any steps, there is a level, accessible entrance through a double exit door to the left of the main entrance. There is a wheelchair sign by these doors and if you notify someone at the main entrance, someone will come and open these doors for you. I'd advise you to send your companion to ask at the main entrance as crowds tend to queue back past the accessible entrance and it can take a while to negotiate your way back through them.

Although there is lift access to all levels within the theatre, it isn't recommended that those with mobility and access needs book tickets in either of the circles - there are no designated wheelchair spaces in either circle and both require you to use steps once on those levels.

Within the stalls there are 6 wheelchair spaces in Row P and 3 in Row ZA. If you use a scooter or can transfer from your chair then any aisle seat in the stalls can be booked (subject to availability). There are also 2 adapted WCs by the accessible entrance to the stalls. The stalls bar is also accessible but, drinks can also be brought to those with access needs.

There is an Infra-red system in operation at the theatre that uses a mono receiver with neck induction loop. These are used in conjunction with a hearing aid which needs to be set to position T in order to pick up the signal. Assistance dogs are allowed into the auditorium. Alternatively, staff can dog sit throughout the performance.

- The next audio described performance of 'The Lion King' will take place on Saturday 21 July 2012 at 2.30pm, with a touch tour from 1pm in the Side Circle Bar.
- The next sign-interpreted performance of 'The Lion King' will take place on Saturday July 28th 2012 at 2.30pm.
- The next captioned performances of 'The Lion King' will take place on Sunday April 29th 2012 at 2.30pm and Friday September 7th 2012 at 7.30pm.


To book Access tickets or to discuss Access needs at the theatre, you can phone the Box Office directly on 020 7420 8113. The Box Office opening hours are 10am-6pm Monday-Saturday and 12pm-3pm on Sundays. Concessions are given to those eligible to purchase Access tickets and to 1 companion.

Thursday, 22 March 2012

Matilda The Musical and the Cambridge Theatre

Welcome back to Access London and Thank You once again for supporting Access for All to the Arts in London.

"Following a sensational sell-out season at The Courtyard Theatre, the RSC’s production of MATILDA THE MUSICAL has transfered to London’s West End.

Roald Dahl’s much-loved story bursts into life on stage in this brand new musical version by Dennis Kelly and award-winning musician and comedian Tim Minchin. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

The production is directed by Matthew Warchus and designed by Rob Howell with choreography by Peter Darling, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, musical supervision and orchestration by Christopher Nightingale, sound by Simon Baker and special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve. The entire creative team has reassembled to create the London production."

Matilda the Musical is proving to be a huge hit at its new West End home, the Cambridge Theatre. Fun for kids, adults, the whole family.




The Cambridge Theatre is located in Covent Garden, just off of Shaftesbury Avenue. If you are travelling there in a wheelchair or scooter, just be aware that although the immediate area of Cambridge Circus is very easy to negotiate round, with all kerbs dropped, other streets in the area do have narrower pavements than others in the West End, so you may need to allow a little more time to travel to the theatre.

There are no steps into the foyer of the theatre, through two sets of double-swing doors. However, from here there are steps down into the stalls corridor and considerably more up to the dress and upper circles. All stairs have handrails either side and the steps are highlighted.

For wheelchair and scooter users and for those who cannot manage stairs, there is a level Access entrance through the third double exit door on Earlham Street. The theatre is open approximately 45 minutes before the show starts and if you notify someone at the main entrance, they will direct you to the Accessible entrance doors where someone will meet you. This leads straight into the Stalls corridor where there is also an accessible WC - please note however that this is the main corridor for all patrons to use before and after the show and during the interval. The accessible WC door opens out onto the corridor which can become extremely busy.

For scooter users and those who can transfer from a wheelchair, scooters and chairs are left in this corridor. There is a slight slope down into the Stalls. For those who need to remain in their chair, there are 2 spaces for wheelchair users in the Stalls at N1 and N34. For those that can transfer, any aisle seat in the Stalls can be booked (subject to availability). The theatre can store up to 4 wheelchairs and 2 scooters per performance.

For those requiring extra leg room, aisle seats and seats J1 and J8 have the most and also Box A, although this can only be accessed via 3 steps. The auditorium is fitted with an infra red system and the box office has a loop system fitted. There are 8 headsets available for use during the performance and these can be collected from the foyer. Assistance dogs are allowed into the auditorium. Alternatively, staff can dog-sit during the performance (maximum of 4 dogs per performance).

Unfortunately, feedback seems to show that staff at The Cambridge are not always that helpful and could be more disability aware. Although physically the theatre is accessible, please be aware that assistance there is not always that great and therefore if you do require help, it is best to take advantage of the second Access rate ticket you can obtain at the time of booking.

To book Access tickets to see Matilda the Musical (currently booking until 21st October 2012), please call the Access Booking Line on 0844 412 4648 - Access rates are subject to availability at each performance and don't forget the rate applies to both you and 1 companion, which equates to a fairly good discount for Stalls tickets.

Tuesday, 20 March 2012

The Barbican and Mark Llewelyn Evans Charity CD

Located in the City of London, The Barbican is home to an Arts and Conference Centre, Gallery and two Theatres: The Barbican and Silk Street Theatres. The venue hosts concerts, shows, exhibitions, and talks.

The Barbican is completely accessible to those using a wheelchair or mobility scooter. However, it is a large venue and so for those who find walking difficult, The Barbican does have three wheelchairs for visitors' use, subject to availability; these can be pre-booked by calling the Box Office on 020 7638 8891. The main entrance on Silk Street is ramped and has lifts nearby, allowing access to all levels within the Barbican.

An induction loop is provided in the Concert Hall and Cinema. Visitors with hearing aids can make use of this facility by switching their hearing aid to the 'T' position. A radio network system is provided in the Theatre and Pit - visitors with hearing impairments may benefit from this facility. Headsets can be collected from Theatre Stalls Right prior to performance.

Assistance dogs may be taken into the auditoria or left with a member of staff. Adapted WCs are provided on Levels -2, -1, G, 1, 2, 3 & 4.

The Barbican also has its own Access Membership Scheme - this allows those with disabilities to register your requirements for free so that your needs can be met. The scheme also entitles you to the fantastic Access Rate tickets for shows and concerts. You can also pre-book a blue badge car parking space at The Barbican and park for free - to do this, book your space with the box office on 020 7638 8891 and when you arrive at the theatre, take your show ticket to the box office and they will provide you with a free exit ticket for the car park. To book tickets and find out more about the Access Membership Scheme please visit www.barbican.org.uk



Welsh Baritone, Mark Llewelyn Evans, recently performed at The Barbican in HMS Pinafore. On the 18th March 2012, Mark released a charity CD in support of the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal Fund. The Fund raises money for the Welsh Guards and their families. The CD is called 'Tell My Father' and also includes the support track 'Men of Harlech'. The CD can be purchased in iTunes and Amazon for £2.58.


Immediate - Press Release - 13th March 2012

Welsh baritone Mark Llewelyn Evans (brother of tenor Wynne; Gio Compario) joins ranks with the Welsh Guards to launch a fund raising CD to support Welsh troops and their families as they are deployed to Afghanistan again this week.

The CD - a double single - called Tell My Father - with support track ‘Men of Harlech’, the regimental slow march of the guards - has been made with the generous support of many artists and technicians, all of whom gave their time and talents for free, in order to raise funds for The Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal Fund.

The hope is to raise £50,000 by Remembrance Sunday this year. As increasing numbers of young soldiers are wounded or die, more & more pressure is put on money available from other sources and so, The Welsh Guards created their own fund to help soldiers and their families who are suffering as a result of the conflict in Afghanistan.

Soldiers like Guardsman Dale Leach who lost a leg and was flown home with a shattered spine, not expected to live. Amazingly he survived but now requires special support and care and has to live with his parents. The fund has helped them to make improvements and adjustments to their home to accommodate Dale’s injury requirements. Parents of soldiers who have lost their lives also find solace in helping the fund like the mother of Lance Corporal Dane Elson, killed in 2009, who helps to manage the fund’s website.

Mark Llewelyn Evans stepped forward after the he was approached by the Welsh Guards who had heard him singing ‘Tell My Father’. A successful soloist, Mark has performed in musicals and opera as well as with Katherine Jenkins for the Welsh Rugby Union. Last year he was asked by Guy Ritchie to appear in the new Sherlock Holmes film A Game of Shadows. The CD also features The Regimental Band of the Welsh Guards, Llantrisant Male Choir & renowned Welsh actor Richard Elfyn.


The Guard’s Colonel and patron, HRH The Prince of Wales speaks in support of the fund -
“It is vital that those Welsh Guardsmen who have given so much to this country and their Regiment know that they and their dependents will be cared for and supported should the need arise. The Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal will play a key role in providing this support in the short and the long term, as the wider Regimental family plays its part. I commend the Appeal and ask all those who can to support its admirable work.”


The Guards are also performing in a 3 night concert tour in Wales on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of March to support the appeal.


The CD, to be launched on the 18th March, is available on iTunes and Amazon at £2.58

You can read more about the appeal and charity on their official website and also donate to the fund at... www.welshguardsappeal.com

To hear sound clips from the sound and for more information about Mark and his forthcoming performances and concerts, see his website at www.markllewelynevans.co.uk

You can also follow Mark on Twitter @markllew



COMING SOON: Matilda, Singin In The Rain, Lion King

Sunday, 4 March 2012

Opera Seria's Anna Bolena @ The Royal Northern College of Music

Welcome back to Access London and Thank You once again for supporting Access for All to the Arts. Today's post is a little different as it looks at a venue and performance outside of London. Occasionally I post on Arts venues outside of the Capital if I feel they have particularly good Access and facilities for those with disabilities.

"Opera Seria is a semi-professional, Manchester-based, chamber opera company, formed to put on a series of high-quality productions of lesser-performed operas (and a few favourites) in their original language for Manchester and the North West of England."

This June, Opera Seria will present their debut production, Donizetti's Anna Bolena, at The Royal Northern College of Music. Performances will be on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June 2012.

"The opera portrays the final days in the life of England's ill-fated queen driven to insanity by her unfaithful husband. The production features an international cast of emerging operatic professionals and a chorus of talented community members and local music students."


I recently spoke with Rochelle Hart who will be playing Anna Bolena in the production and who is also a founding member of the Opera Seria company. Here's what she had to say about Opera Seria and its debut production...

AL: Can you tell us more about who Opera Seria are?
RH: Opera Seria was founded with the interest of giving emerging artists more opportunities to sing roles they might otherwise not get to sing early in their career. We sing everything in its original language, which gives our soloists not only valuable stage experience, but also experience in performing in foreign languages. This will help them as they emerge into the professional world.

We also aim to be accessible to the community. It’s unfortunate that opera has been branded as high brow in the past, and that people are not as interested in going to hear opera (particularly if it’s in a foreign language). We feel that people are missing out on beautiful music, so aim to perform the productions in creative and engaging ways. We’ll also be holding pre-show talks for anyone interested in learning more about the performance they are about to see, running workshops for babies and tweens to get them interested in classical music, and invite local community members to join the chorus or help out backstage. This keeps the operas we produce engaging for not only the soloists, but the community as well.


AL: As a founding member of Opera Seria, what led you to the decision to become involved with this new company?
RH: As an emerging artist myself, I look for any opportunities to build up my experience and to just sing. Opera Seria seemed like the perfect opportunity to utilise my ‘office’ skills but also to get out there and share my love of singing with audiences in Manchester. I also saw there was a hole for a good professional company based in Manchester, and thought it was time that there was one. There are lots of great amateur companies, and Manchester is lucky to be on the touring list for great companies like Opera North and Heritage Opera, but as far as having a ‘home’ opera company, outside the RNCM and the local amateur groups there just isn’t one.


AL: Anna Bolena marks Opera Seria's debut production. Why this piece?
RH: To be honest, we chose Anna Bolena before we realised the Met was doing it and didn’t know there would be a lot of hype about it. We wanted to do something that wasn’t often performed in the UK, to make us stand out from the other companies. The idea was to do something not in the standard rep for smaller groups, staying away from things like La Traviata and Carmen, which are done to death. We wanted something fresh and new, knowing it was a risky move. People go to see La Traviata because they know it, they recognise the music, they can relate to it. People won’t know Anna Bolena in the same way. I think the Met having done it recently will help our cause, as it will be in people’s minds and it’s not been done in the UK recently, but it will still be a hard sell as the music isn’t going to be familiar to people. There is no Queen of the Night aria for people to nod along to, no Brindisi to have them tapping their feet. What they will get, though, is beautiful music by a fabulous composer, sung by some exciting young soloists. There is lust, betrayal and beheadings – what more could an opera goer want?


AL: Are cast members current/founding members of Opera Seria or were auditions held?
RH: Cast members are a combination of founding members and soloists that were found during auditions. While the founding members are experienced soloists in their own rights who want the opportunity to perform, we also want to give the same opportunities to other aspiring opera stars, so do hold auditions to share the love and give others the same opportunities.


AL: What are the most enjoyable aspects of putting on this productions? And, what are the most challenging ones?
RH: Marketing and fundraising is a massive challenge for an unknown opera company doing a less-than-popular opera, but the excitement of the creative process in seeing it all come together is extremely exciting. I think the end product will be something we can all be proud of, and will put Opera Seria on the map as one of the one-to-watch smaller professional companies in the North West.


AL: What can audiences expect from Anna Bolena?
RH: Like I said above – lust, betrayal and beheadings! Beautiful music, a lot of drama and an interesting and creative retelling of the final days in the life of Anne Boleyn. It’s a pretty fantastic story, and we get some excellent costumes to boot!


AL: What can we expect from Opera Seria after June 2012?
RH: We’ll be doing a run of fully staged productions of Mozart’s Don Giovanni in November, followed by a costumed concert of Roberto Devereux at Manchester Cathedral in January 2013. We’ve got some other pretty big ideas lined up for 2013 – watch this space!


A huge Thank You once again to Rochelle for taking the time to answer some questions. To keep up to date with all of Rochelle's news, see her website www.rochellehart.com . You can also follow her on Twitter @raketje

For more information on Opera Seria, Anna Bolena and their other productions, see their website www.operaseria.co.uk . You can also follow the company on Twitter @OperaSeriaUK


ANNA BOLENA IS AT THE ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC ON 16TH AND 17TH JUNE 2012. TO BOOK ACCESS AND OTHER SEATS, CALL THE BOX OFFICE ON 0161 907 5555.


Access Information for RNCM:


"For events listed as ‘Promoted by RNCM’ disabled patrons can purchase tickets at the concessionary rate. Where a personal assistant is required to enable them to attend they can purchase two tickets with 50% off the full price. Wheelchair users can purchase up to two tickets with 50% off the full price. Please call the box office on 0161 907 5555 for further information.

The RNCM offers a range of facilities to disabled patrons. Please call Reception on 0161 907 5300 to reserve a disabled parking space. Wheelchair access is available, via lifts, to all performing venues and public spaces and we have low-level counters available at the Box Office and Bar. There are disabled toilet facilities on all levels. Guide dogs are admitted, please advise the Box Office when booking your ticket if you are bringing a guide dog.

The RNCM Concert Hall and RNCM Theatre are fitted with Sennheiser infra-red hearing assistance systems and receivers. They are available from Front of House staff on request. Receivers can be used in conjunction with a normal hearing aid (which should be switched to the ‘T’position) or an earpiece available at the venue. Studio Theatre, Carole Nash Recital Room and Lecture Theatre are fitted with induction loops (hearing aids should be switched to the ‘T’ position). Large print and audio versions of this brochure are available from the Box Office (also on disc or by email). Please call the Box Office on 0161 907 5555 for all other detailed information for disabled visitors."

For more information on The Royal Northern College of Music visit www.rncm.ac.uk

Sunday, 26 February 2012

Jersey Boys and The Prince Edward Theatre

Welcome back to Access London and Thank You once again for continuing to support disabled Access to the arts in London.

The Hit Musical, Jersey Boys, plays at The Prince Edward Theatre, located on Old Compton Street in Soho.

"YOU KNOW THE SONGS...NOW DISCOVER THE STORY!!

JERSEY BOYS, The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is now playing at the Prince Edward Theatre, London. Discover the rags to rock to riches tale of four boys working their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of international pop-stardom.

Featuring all the classic hits: SHERRY, BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY, CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU, BYE BYE BABY (BABY GOODBYE), WORKING MY WAY BACK TO YOU, WALK LIKE A MAN, DECEMBER 1963 (OH WHAT A NIGHT) and more."





Access for wheelchair/scooter users and those who cannot manage stairs to the Prince Edward auditorium is via a double exit door on Greek Street, to the right hand side of the theatre's main entrance on Old Compton Street. There is disabled Access to the theatre foyer from Old Compton Street where the box office is located but, from here, there are stairs into the auditorium. Simply ask someone at the entrance and they will escort you around to the Accessible entrance.

Inside the Accessible entrance, there is a short ramp up into Box 1 where there is space for 2 wheelchairs and companion seats. The entrance is Accessible to scooter users but the Box isn't really geared up for it so you would be better to transfer from your scooter into a theatre seat in the Box. Staff are happy to take and store your scooter during the performance. It is also quite a tight turn from the Accessible entrance doors into the Box and some scooters may struggle with this - my advice, transfer, if you can! There is also some transfer seating available in Row A of the Dress Circle.

The theatre has a Loop System fitted and headsets are available from the Access attendant for a deposit of £5. Up to 2 Assistance dogs are permitted into the auditorium for any one show or, the Access attendant can sit with them during the performance, if you would prefer.



The only bar that is Accessible is the one in the foyer. To reach this during the interval, you would need to go back out onto Greek Street and around to the main entrance on Old Compton Street. However, staff at the Prince Edward are extremely helpful and the Access attendant is more than happy to go and bring drinks/programmes etc to you before the performance or at the interval. The only Accessible WC in the theatre is again in the foyer, so this means a trip back out onto Greek Street and around to the main entrance if you need to use this during the interval. Staff are happy to assist with the trip round though but my advice would be, unless you really want/need to go the bar or toilet at the interval, try to avoid doing so.

There are concessions available on the Access rate for disabled patrons and 1 companion. To book Access seats to see Jersey Boys, please call the Access line on 0844 482 5137. This is the main Access line for all Delfont Mackintosh theatres so simply select the option for the Prince Edward when prompted and it will direct you straight through to their box office (lines are open Minday-Friday).
You can also send Access enquiries via email to petbox@delfontmackintosh.co.uk

Monday, 13 February 2012

Billy Elliot The Musical & The Victoria Palace Theatre

Welcome back to Access London and Thank You once again for continuing to support Access to the Arts in London.

The award winning musical Billy Elliot plays at the Victoria Palace Theatre and has been entertaining audiences since 2005.

"Set in a Northern mining town, against the background of the 1984/’85 miners’ strike, Billy Elliot is the inspirational story of a young boy’s struggle against the odds to make his dream come true. Follow Billy’s journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever."



Victoria Palace Theatre is a short distance from Victoria Station and on the North side of Victoria Street. The main entrance has a very small (3cm) step up into the foyer and box office area. From here, the most accessible area of the auditorium are the stalls which are down 4 steps from the foyer. The steps have handrails either side.

For wheelchair and scooter users and for those who cannot manage steps, there is a level access entrance in Allington Street which is to the left of the theatre. Simply inform someone at the front of the theatre and they will open this level entrance for you. Inside, there is an accessible WC (if you haven't got a RADAR key, please let a member of staff know and they will open it for you). This entrance leads directly into the back of the stalls. Scooters can be stored and brought to you in the interval and at the end of the performance.

For wheelchair users that cannot transfer, there are 2 spaces at P36 and M36 where you can remain in your chair throughout the performance and your companion can remain close by. If you can transfer, then any aisle seat in the stalls (subject to availability) can be booked. In addition to the 2 wheelchair spaces, 4 wheelchairs or scooters can be stored per performance.

Assistance dogs are permitted into the auditorium and staff can dog sit during the performance in the Manager's office. There is an infrared system in the auditorium with both loop and conventional headsets available. These must be booked in advance and a small deposit is required - please ask the access assistant on arrival for your headset.

There are sign interpreted performances of Billy Elliot on:
Thursday 9th August 2012 Matinee Performance (2.30pm)
Friday 7th September 2012 Evening Performance (7.30pm)

There are Audio Described performances of Billy Elliot on:
Saturday 1st September 2012 Matinee Performance
Thursday 6th September 2012 Matinee Performance

There are captioned performances of Billy Elliot on:
Tuesday 28th August 2012 Evening Performance
Saturday 8th September 2012 Matinee Performance

Performances are Monday-Saturday evenings at 7.30pm and matinee performances on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm.

To book Access tickets for Billy Elliot (currently priced at £27.50 each for you and a companion in the stalls of the Victoria Palace Theatre), please call the Access line at the box office directly on: 020 7834 1170. Access bookings and enquiries can also be made via email at access@victoriapalace.co.uk

For all other tickets, please call the box office on: 0844 811 0055.