Everyone is welcome at Royal & Derngate Theatre. We are making our spaces as accessible as possible so that everyone has the best experience.
All live performance and participation activities should be accessible to everyone. We offer a range of services and facilities that support different needs when visiting our venue.
ACCESS SCHEME
Our Access Scheme assists customers with additional needs. When you register to be part of the scheme we safely store information about your personal requirements so that you have an easy booking process and enjoyable visit.
Once registered, you will be eligible for discounted or free companion tickets and will receive email updates about our Access Enhanced Performances.
To support your application, we ask that you provide us with a supporting document. The document you choose to submit should be dated within the last 12 months, have your personal details on it and should not have expired.
Here’s our list of accepted supporting documents:
- Blue Badge Holder
- Lower Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
- Lower Attendance Allowance.
For Free Essential Companion tickets you must be in receipt of the following:
- Medium to Higher Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
- Medium to Higher Attendance Allowance.
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
- Employment & Support Allowance for a period of at least twelve months.
- Working Tax Credit (Disability Element Only).
- Constant Attendance Allowance (Disability Element Only).
- The Independent Living Fund Disabled Student Allowance.
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
- War Disablement Pension.
- Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (Guaranteed Income Payment Only).
- Vaccine Damage Payment.
- Severe Disablement Allowance.
- Nimbus/ CredAbility Access Card
- CEA (Cinema Exhibitors Association) Card.
ACCESS SCHEME REGISTRATION FORM
ACCESS HOSTS
Our dedicated Access Hosts wear orange ties so they stand out from our Front of House team. They can assist you to your seats via our lifts and ramps, provide hearing loops or sensory bags and are always happy to look after any support dogs while you enjoy the show. They’re aim is to support you during your visit so you can have a stress-free experience. They will also help patrons with access needs in the case of an emergency. Just ask for an Access Host when you arrive!
ACCESS ENHANCED PERFORMANCES
All performances are accessible. However we offer access enhanced performances which offer different services to support specific needs.
Audio-Described Performances
These performances are described to audience members through headsets. The description is live and details all of the action that is taking place on stage. A 15-minute introduction before the performance describes the cast, character relationships, details about costume, set and any visual effects.
Customers listen to the audio-description through our Sennheiser Mobile Connect system.
Pre-Performance 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.
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.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES & FACILITIES
Accessible Parking
There are disabled badge holders’ parking spaces to the front of Royal & Derngate in Albion Place surface car park (NN1 1UD). Disabled badge holders can park free along Derngate (NN1 1TY) in permitted spaces.
Building Access
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.
Getting to Your Seat
Some areas of the auditorium have steep stairs and may not be suitable for people with limited mobility. There is a lift to the Circle level. To get to the Circle level from the ground floor without the lift, there are 20 steps – a flight of 16 steps, followed by a further 4 steps. To get to the Upper Circle level from the ground floor, there are 35 steps – 2 flights of 16 steps, followed by a further 3. Our Box Office Team can tell you the number of stairs you may need to take to get to your seat from the Circle and Upper Circle levels.
Our dedicated Access Hosts wear orange ties so they stand out from our Front of House team. They can assist you to your seats via our lifts and ramps, provide hearing loops, and are always happy to look after any support dogs while you enjoy the show. They will also help patrons with access needs in the case of an emergency.
Accessible Toilets & Changing Facilities
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.
Assistance Dogs
Royal & Derngate and the Northampton Filmhouse welcomes 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.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate Emotional Support Animals/Dogs. For more information about our policy, please contact our Box Office.
Wheelchair Users & Mobility Scooters
We are unable to process wheelchair user and wheelchair transfer bookings online.
There are dedicated seats held off sale that can be booked by wheelchair users by contacting our Box Office Team. This ensures that suitable seating is allocated and you have a comfortable experience at our venue.
Any wheelchair user or transfer customers that make a booking online in standard seating may be contacted to relocate or refused entry into the auditorium due to safety reasons.
Should you need to use a mobility scooter to get to your seat, a staff member can assist with a wheelchair we have for use in these instances. Scooters can be safely left outside the auditorium.
Sennheiser Mobile Connect
Sennheiser Mobile Connect, is a Wi-Fi based audio enhancement system. This enables us to provide Audio Description for certain performances and Audio Enhancement for all shows, which can be listened to using your own smartphone/tablet and headphones.
Sensory Bags & Spaces
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.
Step-Up Programme
We are working in partnership with Northgate School Arts College to provide work experience for young people with learning disabilities and ASD. The scheme supports up to 12 young people a year, taking on front of house roles at the theatre which are tailored to their individual skills and needs. The aim is to provide them with invaluable experience, building up self-confidence and developing new skills which help them move on to paid employment.
NORTHAMPTON FILMHOUSE
A range of Access Screenings are also available at Northampton Filmhouse in order to enable as many people as possible to enjoy cinema. These include Audio Described, Dementia-Friendly, Autism-Friendly, Subtitled and Parent & Baby. All films now have Audio Enhancement available. To find out more visit www.northamptonfilmhouse.com/access.