Access

Derby Theatre welcomes all customers and has an extensive range of services to ensure you have an enjoyable and comfortable visit. We are happy to show anyone around who would like to come and see the theatre during a quieter time to resolve any potential issues or concerns they may have in advance of their visit. Please contact Box Office on 01332 593939.

CredAbility & The Access Card

We are an accredited Provider and have been Verified as being an accessible venue for disabled people by CredAbility – an independent quality mark run by disabled people.

 

We are proud to be an accredited Provider with CredAbility and to be able to acknowledge the locally developed Access Card. We are committed to ensuring that we are able to remove, replace or reduce the impact of barriers faced by our disabled customers and welcome feedback.

The relevant icons indicate how we can meet a variety of needs:

Personal Support

We operate a scheme for those who require somebody to be present in order to assist them to readily access theatre shows and as such we allow members to buy a seat for themselves at the standard rate and one for an essential companion at no cost.*

An Access Card with the +1 symbol automatically entitles the cardholder to a free essential companion ticket.* If you do not have / do not want an Access Card you can register to join Derby Theatre's Assited Access Scheme below. Both schemes will require you sending in information to support your request for a free companion ticket and you are free to choose which one you feel meets your needs.

Access Cards can be purchased for £15 for 3 years from CredAbility. CredAbility is an independent scheme.

Derby Theatre's Assisted Access Scheme is free to join and a short application form is available from the box office, or downloadable below, to provide us with contact details and any information the patron would like recorded. 

Download Assisted Access Scheme Application Form for Individuals

Download Assisted Access Scheme Application Form for Organisations

*This applies to most performances but there are some exceptions so please check on booking.

All tickets are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Standing and Queueing

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, so please let us know your requirements. Our staff can bring refreshments to your seat inside the auditorium at the interval. If you require specific seating in other areas, then this can be accommodated.

Wheelchair Access

We have designated wheelchair spaces in the main auditorium and Studio, which we strongly advice to book in advance through the Box Office. For out Studio, access is through the Intu Basement car park. We have a fully accessible drop off point at the top of the theatre with a permanent ramped double door entrance. Alternatively, you can park in Intu Basement car park blue badge area and our lift will bring you directly to all floors of the theatre. We have large accessible toilets on all levels, and have low accessible counters at the Box Office, Bar and Theatre Café.

Short Distances

You can be dropped off outside the lift that runs from the Intu Basement car park, to Level 1 where the Theatre Café and Box Office are, and up to Level 2 where the auditorium and Bar is situated. There is a short walk into the auditorium from the lift. Alternatively, we have a drop off point at the top of the theatre, which is a short distance from the auditorium. We can provide seating around the theatre for rest intervals if required.

Access to Toilets

Derby Theatre has large fully accessible toilets on every level of the theatre. If you require urgent access to the toilet because of an impairment / disability you can make this known to staff at any time and they will ensure that you are quickly pointed toward the nearest toilet with discretion and dignity. This can and will include both accessible toilets and staff toilets where necessary. Access Card holders need only to show their card with the WC symbol.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are always welcome in all areas of the building.

 Difficulty Accessing Visual Information

Large Print Brochures
We offer large print versions of our season brochures. If you would like to recieve our brochure in this format please enquire at the Box Office or call 01332 593939. Our bars also have large print menus available..

Audio Described Performances 
Audio description is a form of audio-visual translation that use the natural pauses in dialogue and critivcal sound elements to provide a live verbal commentary through a personal headset. All of Derby Theatre's in-house productions are audio described, as well as some touring productions. 

Access Tables
We regularly provide Access Tables, where examples of props and costume swatches are available with object guides.

Touch Tours
Touch Tours enable you to explore and familaries yourself with the stage, props and costumes prior to attending a performance. Touch Tours are free and take place 1 hour before an Audio Described performance starts. Please advise Box Office if you would like a Touch Tour when booking an Audio Described performance.

Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are always welcome in all areas of the building.

Difficulty Accessing Audible Information

Sound Enhancement and Assisted Listening Systems
The best quality of sound is accessible through our Digital RF headsets, which are available to borrow free of charge from the Front of House sales desk, for use in both the Main House and Studio. You could also take advantage of our new digital system by using your own earphones to plug directly into the pocket-sized body packs.

If you prefer to use the T-switch on your hearing aid, you may borrow an induction loop aerial to wear around the neck to enable this to work. These are also available from Front of House. Rather than infrared, our new assisted listening sets now work on digital frequencies, meaning you won’t get interference.

BSL Interpreted Performances
We provide British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances for all of our in-house productions, as well as some touring productions. Our performances are usually interpreted by TheatreSign. Please let Box Office know if you have a preferred seat or would like advice on the most suitable seats for a BSL Interpreted show.

Captioned Performances
Captioning converts spoken word into text and is presented on a screen at the side of the stage. Captioned performances are currently available for some touring productions in the Main House and the Studio.

Captioning using the Difference Engine

Some performances are captioned using The Difference Engine - a tool that can be downloaded onto your smart phone or tablet prior to the show.

Please try to arrive 30 minutes before the show so that we have time to give clear instructions to each individual audience member who requires this service. The captioning is streamed directly to your phone so we recommend that your mobile device is fully charged prior to the performances. This is not a replacement for BSL and we appreciate it will not be suitable for all who are Deaf and hard of hearing. 

Relaxed Performances

Everyone is welcome at Derby Theatre, and we want all audience members to feel as comfortable as possible during their visit. As part of this, we offer Relaxed Performances that are ideal for audience members who are on the autistic spectrum or have sensory sensitivities, or those who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. 

Each Relaxed Performance will be adapted for the specific needs of the audience – house lights may remain on at a low level throughout, other lighting effects may be toned down and the volume of sound effects reduced. Audience members are also free to leave the auditorium during the performance and use our chill out space.

Support materials for you to familiarise yourself with the theatre and show prior to your visit, such as a visual story and a synopsis of the production, are made available online before each Relaxed Performance, and will be attached to a pre-show email. All of these adaptations are intended to make the theatrical experience comfortable for all.

Dementia-Friendly Performances

We offer Dementia-Friendy performances so that people living with Dementia, and their families and carers, can enjoy a visit to the theatre in a supportive and relaxed environment.

There will be a more relaxed attitude to leaving and re-entering the theatre and making noise, the house lights will be kept on a low level. There will also be a quiet space available for use at any time before, during and after the show. Our friendly staff will be happy to offer assistance too, including staff who are Dementia Friends.

We run regular Dementia-Friendly Information sessions in the theatre for those with Dementia, their carers, friends and family and anyone who would like to become more Dementia-Friendly. For Derby Theatre productions, we aim to provide a Dementia-Friendly social before our Dementia-Friendly performances. Please see our website or ask staff members for information on upcoming Dementia-Friendly events.

For a full list of upcoming accessible performances, click here.

Other Requirements

If you have any other needs which we have not covered elsewhere in this statement please let us know so that we can do our very best to give you full and equal access to our services

Support Our Commitment to Access

Derby Theatre aims to ensure the widest access for all our customers. We have recently had grants from Derbyshire Community Foundation and The Big Lottery Fund to improve access for the hard of hearing.  We are very keen to offer more services to people with access requirements.  If you would like to support this work please see our Support Us pages to find out how you can make a donation. Any support you can give will help to ensure that more people can enjoy the creativity both on and off stage here at Derby Theatre.

If you do have any questions regarding access, parking or familiarisation visits please do email us at theatretickets@derby.ac.uk.