Richmond Theatre & Three Phantoms Tour

Welcome back to Access London and Thank You once again for continuing to support Access for All to the Arts. Many people have been sending me messages requesting Access and booking details for the Three Phantoms Autumn tour which started this week in Canterbury, at the Marlowe Theatre. It is an extensive 10 week tour and covers many venues so I've made the decision to give detailed Access information for the tour's London stop at Richmond Theatre. As many of you are based around the UK, I've found the Access booking links or phone numbers to the other venues for you. It's a great show and I urge you all to go and watch!

Three Phantoms: Nine world-class performers, all of whom have an association with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sensational musical The Phantom of the Opera, amongst other West End and Broadway shows, present a thrilling evening of musical theatre. Led by Three Phantoms of the Opera - Matthew Cammelle, Stephen John Davis and Glyn Kerslake, alongside Rebecca Caine - this outstanding show features songs from Les Misérables, West Side Story, Chicago, Kiss Me Kate, My Fair Lady, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera and many more." The cast also includes Annette Yeo, Mandy Watsham Dunstall, Alistair Barron and Maestro Anthony Gabriele.

Richmond Theatre: There is wheelchair and step-free Access to the Stalls, Stalls bar and Accessible toilet. For those using a mobility scooter, please contact the theatre first about leaving the scooter in the foyer area and not the auditorium. The Stalls have dedicated wheelchair spaces for those remaining in their chair. For those who wish to transfer, or others with mobility difficulties, aisle seats within the Stalls can be booked. An induction loop is fully installed in the auditorium. There are a limited number of headsets for the infra-red hearing system which should be booked in advance at the Box Office. Headsets are available from the kiosk in the foyer on payment of a returnable deposit (£5). Assistance dogs are welcome at the theatre, please inform box office staff at time of booking to make arrangements as there is a limit to the number of dogs that can be in the theatre for each performance. Three Phantoms will be performing at Richmond Theatre from Sunday 24th November until Tuesday 26th November 2013. For Access tickets and discounts on companion tickets, please call ATG's dedicated Access line on 0844 871 7677 (discounts for companion tickets available to those on qualifying benefits and pensions).

Three Phantoms Autumn Tour: For all other venues on the Autumn tour, please see the following links and phone numbers... Wednesday 11th - Thursday 12th September at Marlowe Theatre Canterbury (including Thursday matinee), for theatre Access information, see HERE . Or book via Box Office on 01227787787. Saturday 14th September - Sunday 15th September at The Grand Theatre Wolverhampton (including Saturday matinee), for Access information, see HERE and box office number 01902429212. Tuesday 17th - Wednesday 18th September at Opera House Manchester, for theatre Access information, see HERE and box office on 0844 8717677. Thursday 19th September at Belgrade Theatre Coventry, for Access information, see HERE and box office number 024 7655 3055. Friday 20th - Saturday 21st September at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 0844 8717677. Sunday 22nd September at Watford Colosseum, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 0845 0753993. Tuesday 24th - Thursday 26th September (including Thursday matinee) at Swindon Wyvern Theatre, for Access information, see HERE . Box office number 01793 524481. Friday 27th - Saturday 28th (including Saturday matinee) at Malvern Theatres, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 01684 892277. Sunday 29th September at De Montfort Hall, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 0116 2333111.

Monday 7th - Tuesday 8th October at St David's Hall Cardiff, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 0292 0878444. Wednesday 9th October at Venue Cymru Llandudno, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 01492 872000. Thursday 10th October at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 01223 357851. Saturday 12th - Sunday 13th October at Princess Theatre Torquay, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 0844 8717677. Wednesday 16th - Thursday 17th October at the Churchill Theatre Bromley, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 0844 871 7677. Saturday 19th - Sunday 20th October at Belfast Grand Opera House, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 02890 241919. Tuesday 22nd - Wednesday 23rd October at Inverness Eden Court, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 01463 234234. Thursday 24th - Saturday 26th October at Edinburgh Festival Theatre, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 0131 5296000. Monday 28th - Tuesday 29th October at Perth Concert Hall, for Access information, the box office number is 01738 621031.

Friday 1st - Saturday 2nd November (including Saturday matinee) at Swansea Grand Theatre, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 01792 475715. Sunday 3rd November at Woking New Victoria Theatre, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 0844 8717677. Monday 4th - Tuesday 5th November at Buxton Opera House, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 0845 1272190. Wednesday 6th - Thursday 7th at Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 01892 530613. Friday 8th - Saturday 9th November at Poole Lighthouse, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 0844 406 8666. Tuesday 12th November at Guildford Live, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 0844 7701 797. Thursday 14th - Saturday 16th November at Eastbourne Devonshire Park, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 01323 412000. Sunday 17th November at Southampton Mayflower, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 02380 711811. Tuesday 19th - Wednesday 20th November at Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre, for Access information, see HERE , box office number 00 353 818 719 377. Saturday 23rd November at Southend Cliffs Pavilion, for Access information, contact the box office on 01702 351135.

Three Phantoms UK Tour & New Wimbledon Theatre

After several months away, Access London is back! Thank you to everyone for your messages and support over the last few months, very much appreciated. Also finally back on Twitter after a break My Facebook and Twitter feeds have been full of status updates and excitement about this Summer's much anticipated UK tour of the Three Phantoms concert - not surprising as it's a fantastic show, great tunes, funny and performed by some incredibly talented singers. I've had quite a few messages asking about Access to the venues it's touring to. As it's a pretty extensive UK tour (followed by another in the Autumn), I can't give detailed info for all theatres involved. The blog is predominately about London venues, so I'll look at the New Wimbledon Theatre where the tour arrives to in a couple of weeks time. I will include links to the Access pages of all the other venues though, so if you're not in London, check them out and get yourselves to your nearest venue. The Show: Three Phantoms UK Summer tour opened in Dartford last week. Over the next 6 weeks, they are touring the UK extensively. "Earl Carpenter, Matthew Cammelle and Stephen John Davis (our current cast) have all played, to huge acclaim, the mysterious Phantom at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London and between them have given over 3,000 of the show’s 10,000 performances. Established and respected musical theatre performers in their own right, they have been regularly entertaining audiences worldwide in some of the world’s most popular musicals. They are joined onstage by the fantastic Rebecca Caine, whose performance as Christine Daaé in the original cast of The Phantom of the Opera opposite Michael Crawford and the Canadian premiere alongside Colm Wilkinson, was acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic and who remains an equally respected artist with a career encompassing musicals and opera." "this outstanding show features over 20 songs from Les Misérables, West Side Story, Chicago, Kiss Me Kate, My Fair Lady and Wicked to name but a few. The beautiful staging of this concert, evoking the drama and excitement of the great musicals concludes by celebrating the world’s most successful entertainment phenomenon - The Phantom of the Opera." New Wimbledon Theatre: For wheelchair users (scooter users need to check with venue first) the Stalls are Accessible via the Russell Road Entrance. There is a wheelchair Accessible lift to Access the area and wheelchair spaces have a seat for a companion next to/nearby. If you are transfering into a theatre seat then please let the box office know. For those with limited mobility but who are able to do some stairs then aisle seats in the Stalls are bookable but note that there are steps between rows. An induction loop is available at the box office for those who are hard of hearing. Adapted toilets and a bar are Accessible in the Stalls area. Assistance dogs are allowed into the auditorium but please let the box office know before, when you book your tickets, as only a limited number are allowed per show. Three Phantoms is at the New Wimbledon on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th June 2013, both shows starting at 7.30pm. To book Access tickets (at a discounted rate or companion free rate), call the Access booking line on 0844 871 7677. June Dates and Access bookings: Tuesday 4th - Wednesday 5th June at Bristol Hippodrome, tickets HERE . Thursday 6th - Friday 7th June at Theatre Royal Brighton, tickets HERE . Saturday 8th June at Leeds Grand Theatre, tickets HERE . Monday 10th - Tuesday 11th June at Wycombe Swan Theatre, tickets HERE . Wednesday 12th June at Birmingham Symphony Hall, tickets HERE . Thursday 13th June at Oxford New Theatre, tickets HERE . Friday 14th - Saturday 15th June at Worthing Pavilion Theatre, tickets HERE . Sunday 16th June at Milton Keynes Theatre, tickets HERE . Tuesday 18th - Wednesday 19th June at Wimbledon New Theatre, tickets HERE . Thursday 20th - Saturday 22nd June at Darlington Civic Theatre, tickets HERE . Tuesday 25th - Wednesday 26th June at Hull New Theatre, tickets HERE . Friday 28th - Saturday 29th June at Sunderland Empire, tickets HERE . Sunday 30th June at Carlisle THe Sands Centre, tickets HERE . July Dates and Access Bookings: Monday 1st - Wednesday 3rd July at His Majesty's Theatre Aberdeen, tickets HERE . Thursday 4th - Saturday 6th July at Theatre Royal Glasgow, tickets HERE . Thursday 11th July at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, tickets HERE .

The Lyric Theatre - Shaftesbury Avenue

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

The Lyric Theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue, is the current home of the Michael Jackson and Jackson 5 musical Thriller Live! Based on the career of the late pop star, the show includes many of his greatest hits, brought to the stage by singers and dancers - it also includes video footage and special effects.

If you are a wheelchair or scooter user, the theatre can be accessed via a side exit door on Shaftesbury Avenue - simply let someone know at the front of the theatre and they will open the doors for you. You should be aware that there is a small (2-3 inch) ridge up into this entrance but staff are happy to help navigate up it. If you can manage a small amount of steps, the foyer can be accessed via 3 steps at the front of the theatre. From here there is level access into the dress circle. All steps inside the auditorium are highlighted.

If you cannot manage any steps, then the side exit door on Shaftesbury Avenue will lead you straight into a room that can store wheelchairs or scooters if you can transfer and also has an accessible WC. From here, Boxes C, D and E are accessible with level access. Box E is the largest and can accommodate 1-2 wheelchairs or scooters and a guest whilst Boxes C and D can each accommodate 1 wheelchair or scooter and a guest. All of the Boxes have a slightly restricted view, being side on to the stage, but not greatly so.

The Lyric has an infra-red hearing system with 5 headsets available to use. Assistance dogs are allowed into the auditorium (maximum of 2 dogs per performance) but you need to either book a transfer seat in the dress circle or one of the boxes. There are no bars that have completely level access but staff are happy to help collect interval drinks.

To book Access Tickets to Thriller Live!, please call: 0844 412 4648 (via SEE Tickets Access Line) - discounted Access rates are available for people with disabilities and a companion/carer. To book all other ticket types, please call: 0844 482 9674.


Thank You to Everyone who has sent in messages to Access London over the past few days - I will reply to all over the next couple of days as I've been away for the weekend to see Three Phantoms perform in Plymouth. A fabulous concert and unfortunately the last one for 2011. There is a chance to see the show in February in Chichester and I'd encourage anyone that is available then to go and watch. To book tickets and for Access information, see The Chichester Festival Theatre Website

Lastly, I'm happy to answer (to the best I can) any Access questions to theatres and venues posted about on Access London but for questions on interviews with cast members, it would be best for you to contact them directly. Many of the people interviewed on Access London have Twitter accounts so it may be best to start there. These include the questions left over the weekend for: Stephen John Davis @stephenjdavis1 , Rebecca Caine @RebeccaCaine and Sofia Escobar @sofia_escobar

Phantom of the Opera & Interview with former Phantom, Stephen John Davis

Welcome back to Access London and Thank You once again for your continued support for disability access and awareness to the arts in London.

Tomorrow sees the release of the Phantom 25 dvd and to celebrate Access London has another post in our Phantom series.

This week also saw the release of tickets for venues 2 and 3 of Phantom's 2012 UK tour. Both of these will see John Owen Jones behind the mask as The Phantom and Katie Hall will star alongside as Christine. Phantom will arrive at the Manchester Palace Theatre 5 April 2012 - 19 May 2012. The theatre has wheelchair bays in the Cicrle and lift access to the Circle and Grand Tier. There is also an infra red loop system installed. Access Performances include: BSL - Thurs 26 April 2012, 7.30pm, Audio Described - Wed 2 May 2012, 7.30pm and Captioned - Sat 12 May 2012, 2.30pm. To book access tickets for the Palace, please call: 0161 245 6605. For more information, see the
Manchester Palace Website

Phantom will then be at the Bristol Hippodrome 23 May 2012 - 30 June 2012. For more information on Access performances and facilities, please call the Access booking line on: 0117 302 3222.


Back in London, Phantom's home is at Her Majesty's Theatre on the Haymarket. The stalls are easily accessible to wheelchair and scooter users via a side exit door on Charles II Street - simply inform someone at the front of the theatre and they will open it for you. This leads into the rear of the stalls and has an accessible WC. There is space for 4 wheelchairs and companions in Row S or, if you can transfer from your wheelchair or scooter, any aisle seat is accessible.

There is an infra red hearing system installed at the theatre and 10 headsets are available to use - ask in the foyer or an usher. A maximum of 2 assistance dogs are allowed in at any performance. Both large print programmes and braille cast lists are available on request.

To book Access tickets for Phantom of the Opera (currently available from £22.50 each for you and a carer/companion in the stalls), please call: 0844 412 4648. For all other tickets, please call: 0844 412 4653.

Please note: The Access rate is available to those with a disability, not just those who use a wheelchair or scooter - I'm simply pointing this out as I was at Her Majesty's last week and met a lady who was registered blind yet had no idea she was entitled to this - this rate and service are there for a reason and to help, so please do ring and check to see if you are entitled to them!


As with all of Access London's Phantom posts, I'm delighted to bring you an interview with another former cast member, this week - Stephen John Davis. I'd like to take this opportunity to once again say a huge Thank You to Stephen for his time and support.

AL: How did you become involved with the show?

SJD: I was called in to audition for the show’s associate and resident directors and musical director. I sang Lonely House from Kurt Weill’s “Street Scene”. They then asked me to prepare some of the Phantom’s music and recalled me twice. I was then offered the role of Joseph Buquet and “in house” cover Phantom. Luckily, I was able to perform as the Phantom on many occasions.


AL: Phantom is such an iconic show and so well loved, what did it feel like to be part of this worldwide phenomenon?

SJD: It always feels special when you appear in a show that has such an amazing history and is known by millions around the world. On the days when you’re feeling a bit tired, the buzz from the audience reminds you just how much the show means to those paying to see it.


AL: Who played alongside you in the role of Christine?

SJD: I rehearsed with the lovely Katy Treharne and I was thrilled when we did a couple of shows together. I was also incredibly lucky to work with Gina Beck, Sofia Escobar and Tabitha Webb.


AL: You played The Phantom for the 10,000th performance at Her Majesty's in 2010. What was it like to be onstage with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Michael Crawford to celebrate it?

SJD: It was pretty special to be honest. To be on the original stage at Her Majesty’s where the whole phenomenon began as the Phantom alongside the composer and the original Phantom was a day I will never forget. I will also never apologise for going on about it!!!


AL: What was your favourite scene/song to perform in the show?

SJD: I enjoyed all of it! Sorry that may sound a cop out but it’s true; The Phantom never makes a ”normal” entrance. The powerful first entrance behind the mirror going into the first journey and the boat, I loved the Angel scene at the end of Act 1 (although it was a little uncomfortable!). The Masquerade entrance and exit! The reveal from the cross after “Wishing”, the invasion of Don Juan disguised in the cowl that Piangi should be wearing.
Every scene had something in it that I could really enjoy playing. “Music of the Night” is obviously THE song but there isn’t anything that I didn’t love singing.


AL: What was it like to be a part of the Phantom 25 celebrations?

SJD: Another amazing experience. Don Attilio was such fun to play and the atmosphere was electric. A few of us agreed that we just had to stand at the bows and finale and try to take the whole spectacle in. The RAH is a pretty special place (even if I did rename it the South Ken Village Hall)


AL: In your opinion, why do audiences love the show so much and return to see it time and again?

SJD: The spectacle – Maria Björnson’s designs have never been bettered. The music is probably ALW’s best and the tale of a child being rejected by his own mother, growing up with the world recoiling from him when he has such passion for music and beauty inside is quite heartbreaking. People love a good cry!


AL: Have you watched a performance of Phantom elsewhere in the world? If yes, is it much different to the London production?

SJD: No. I’d love to see it on Broadway. I watched part of the film once.


AL: If you could play any role(s) in musical theatre, what would it/they be?

SJD: I’d like a go at Che in Evita and Albin in La Cage aux folles might be fun!


AL: Do you have a message for Phantom 25 and its fans?

SJD: Thank you! There wouldn’t be a 25th birthday if it weren’t for the “PHANS”. I really hope you enjoyed the RAH performance this year and 10,000th performance last year if you saw them. Here’s to the next 25 years!


You can follow Stephen on Twitter @stephenjdavis1

Stephen is currently appearing in the UK Tour of South Pacific. I saw this production when it was at the Barbican in London and would thoroughly recommend it. To see tour dates and venues, check out THE SOUTH PACIFIC WEBSITE