Accessibility

We are happy to show you around prior to your visit and give you a tour of our wonderful spaces, maybe at a quieter time, to ensure you have all the information you need.

If you would like to arrange a familiarisation visit or have any questions please contact us on 01332 59 39 39, text: 07717 346 964 or email DerbyTheatreTickets@derby.ac.uk

• Our main entrance is located on Theatre Walk inside the Derbion shopping centre.
• There is step free access at this entrance.
• The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
• The width of the door opening is 177cm (5ft 10in).

• The Box Office is located directly beyond the entrance.
• The desk is 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
• The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
• There is step free access to this reception area.
• The reception desk/counter is 110cm+.
• There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
• The desk is staffed at all times.

We have designated wheelchair spaces in the main auditorium and Studio, which we strongly advise to book in advance through our Box Office.

For our Main House, we have a drop off point at the top of the theatre with a permanent ramped double door entrance, you can park in Derbion Basement car park blue badge area and our lift will bring you directly to all floors of the theatre or you can enter our via main entrance in the Eagle Market.

For our Studio, access is through the Derbion Basement car park.

• There is a lift for public use.
• The lift is located down the corridor to the left of the café counter, past the toilets.
• The lift is a standard lift.
• The floors which are accessible by this lift are 0, 1 and 2.
• Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
• The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
• The dimensions of the lift are 107cm x 130cm (3ft 6in x 4ft 3in).
• There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
• There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
• The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
• The lift does have an audible announcer.
• The lift does have Braille and tactile markings.
• The controls for the lift are within 90cm – 120cm from the floor.

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 if you require any support.

If you do require seat service, please do let us know and our friendly team will do all we can to help.

You can be dropped off outside the lift that runs from the Derbion 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. Postcode DE1 2PL.

Our main auditorium has approximately 14 steps down from P row to A row.

Derby Theatre has accessible toilets on every level of the building. On level 1 (our box office and café level) we have an overhead ceiling hoist fitted if required.

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

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

Audio description is a form of audio-visual translation that use the natural pauses in dialogue and critical 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.

View upcoming Audio Described performances

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

Touch Tours enable you to explore and familiarise yourself with the stage, props and costumes prior to attending a performance.

Touch Tours are available (included within cost of ticket) 75 Minutes prior to above performances.

Places are limited so need to be booked in advance.

View upcoming Touch Tours

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.

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.

Selected Derby Theatre productions have fully integrated British Sign Language, including our Easter family shows.

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.

View upcoming BSL 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 all Derby Theatre main house productions and some touring productions in the Main House and the Studio.

Selected Derby Theatre productions have fully integrated captioning, including our Easter family shows.

View upcoming Captioned performances

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.

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.

View upcoming Relaxed 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.

View upcoming Dementia Friendly Performances

Other Events

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.

For carers, we also offer a monthly Carers Café meet up.

If you have any other needs that we have not covered on this page, please get in touch and let us know so that we can do our very best to give you full and equal access to our services.