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Accessibility

Access for All

Harrogate Theatre welcomes all customers and has a range of services to ensure you have an enjoyable and comfortable visit. We want everyone to be able to access great shows and theatre.

If you have a specific access need, check our Access for All page to find out more about how you can identify these when you book.

For more general information about the types of accessible performances we provide, or for building access information, just keep scrolling.

Access for All
The Harrogate Theatre box office window and entrance

BSL (British Sign Language) Interpretation

BSL (British Sign Language) Interpreted Performances offers deaf and hearing-impaired audience members a live interpretation of all spoken words and sound effects into British Sign Language.

We offer tickets for BSL users on accessible shows with a free companion seat. Please mention when you contact the Box Office that you are booking for the BSL interpreted performance so you can be allocated seats with the best view of the interpreter.

 

View BSL performances

Captioned Performances

Captioned performances support people who are d/Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing to access live performance.

Captioning is a bit like subtitles on the telly. In theatre captioning, the words appear on a screen at the same time as they are spoken or sung. Captions also include sound effects and offstage noises.

Please mention when you contact the Box Office that you are booking for the captioned performance so you can be allocated seats with the best view of the caption box.

Here’s a short explanatory video.

View captioned performances
Cinderella performing at Harrogate Theatre on stage

Relaxed Performances

Relaxed Performances are designed to welcome people with a learning disability, Down’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Condition or sensory and communication difficulties.

Small technical changes are made to reduce anxiety and allow people who might otherwise feel excluded the chance to experience live theatre. During the performance there is a relaxed attitude to noise. The lights in the auditorium remain on low throughout the show, sudden loud noises and special effects are softened and audience members are free to leave and re-enter the auditorium at any point. We also have additional staff on hand to assist with seating and access around the theatre and there will be a space made available for audience members where they can relax should they need to leave the auditorium during the performance. There will also be a live feed from the auditorium relayed to our bars so patrons can still enjoy the show without needing to stay in the auditorium.

View relaxed performances

Audio Described Performances

Audio Description offers a live commentary for audience members with visual impairments. The description starts about 15 minutes before the show and includes information on the production. The audio describers then provide commentary on the action and visual effects throughout the performance. The information is relayed over an infrared system to individual headsets which are available free of charge from the Box Office. Tickets are half price for audiences requiring audio description, organise your ticket with our Box Office team.

Touch Tours offer blind and visually impaired members of the audience a chance to orientate themselves with the set and costumes immediately prior to an audio described performance. Please register your interest in the Touch Tour with the Box Office when booking tickets for the performance.

Assisting Animals are welcome at Harrogate Theatre shows, alternatively we can look after your animal during the performance.

View audio described perfomances

Harrogate Theatre & Harrogate Studio Theatre

Harrogate (White Rose) Theatre Trust is committed to providing a range of entertainment for all.

We offer a range of BSL interpreted, captioned, audio described and relaxed performances across each season.

At Harrogate Theatre there is level access to the Stalls, Stalls Bar and an accessible toilet. Our level access door is on Cheltenham Parade, close to the disabled parking bays.

There are 44 steps to our Studio Theatre space. Where possible performances that would traditionally have taken place in the Studio are presented in step-free spaces across Harrogate, such as Harrogate Library, Cold Bath Brewery and Wesley Centre.

Please be assured we are committed to improving physical access to Harrogate Theatre and conversations are ongoing with our landlord, Harrogate Borough Council. We thank you for your patience and understanding while we continue to work to evolve and improve the physical building for the benefit of everyone in our community.

Exterior of Harrogate Theatre with couple stood outside
Microphone on stage with bright light and seats in front

Physical Building Access

The main entrance doors at Harrogate Theatre are power assisted and there is a low-level push pad button on the right-hand side of the entrance which will automatically open the doors for you. There is a corresponding pad inside the Theatre on the left-hand side of the foyer to allow easy exiting from the building. All areas of the building are carpeted. The entrance foyer area is where you will find the Box Office, Cloakroom and Shop. Access to the Stalls, the Circle and the Balcony is via steps.

 

  • Level access is possible to the Theatre Foyer and Box Office from Oxford Street. Access to the Stalls seating area of the auditorium, the Stalls Bar, and an accessible toilet is via Cheltenham Parade. There are four wheelchair spaces in the rear of the Stalls and all spaces are next to or behind a seat for your companion.

  • There are many steps and stairs in Harrogate Theatre, and level access is only possible as described above. There is a minimum of 11 steps between the Foyer and the Stalls, 21 stairs between the Foyer and the Circle landing and the Circle Bar, and 23 stairs between the Circle landing and the Studio landing. There are 25 steps between the Studio landing and the Balcony seating area. Each staircase has at least one handrail.

  • We have a number of comfort seats located in the Stalls. These are at the end of the rows D, J and L. Comfort seats are slightly wider than normal seats and because of their location at the end of the rows afford easier access for those that need it. They have fixed arms. The seat pads measure 53cm wide and 43cm deep. The back is slighter higher than normal too at 48cm. Access to these positions can be gained from the adapted access door at the rear of the Theatre. It is down a ramp and avoids any stairs. The seats are there to book online and are marked with an information icon. Seats at the end of Row L afford extra room as they are spaced slightly further away from the next seat than others. If you have any questions about seating, please call our friendly Box Office team and they will help.

  • There is a wheelchair accessible toilet adjacent to the Stalls Seating Area and close to the Stalls Bar. Other toilets are available adjacent to the Stalls Bar, and on the 1st floor Circle level. Baby changing facilities are available in both Stalls and Circle toilets.

  • Both the Stalls Bar (located on the ground floor) and Circle Bar (located on the first floor) are open one hour prior to a performance serving pre-show and interval drinks. We can assist patrons in the bars or bring you drinks in the Auditoriums.

  • The Studio Theatre is located on the 2nd floor and is accessible by climbing 44 stairs in two flights with a handrail on one side only. Studio seating is generally unreserved so please mention your access requirements when making your booking.

  • There is reserved Blue Badge parking for three cars adjacent to Harrogate Theatre on Cheltenham Parade. Other street parking nearby is metered and resident zone controlled. The Jubilee Car Park on Cheltenham Road is just a five-minute walk from Harrogate Theatre. The Jubilee Car Park closes at 10pm weekdays.

  • Please ask for full details when you book your tickets. Every disabled person is entitled to a free carer ticket.

  • If you, or anyone in your party would benefit from a familiarisation tour prior to attending a performance, book a space or please call us to arrange on 01423 502116. Cuurently available tours can be booked here

  • Assistance animals are welcome. Please call us on 01423 502116 and we can arrange a suitable seat at the end of a row in the Stalls.

Any other questions?

If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please don’t hesitate to ask using our contact form – a member of the team will get in touch as soon as possible.

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