Access

There is no on-site parking at Theatre Royal.

There is a single unpoliced disabled parking advisory bay near the theatre’s entrance (outside No.5 Westgate Street) but this is not legally enforceable or protected against misuse. Other nearby accessible parking bays are owned by local businesses and intended for their customers only.

Blue Badge holders can find out more about Suffolk Council’s rules on Blue Badge parking here.

Wheelchair users and customers who find travelling distances challenging may use our drop-off point for step-free access at the front of the theatre on Westgate Street. It is not possible to park in our drop-off point.

A member of our team will be available at the front of the theatre until 15 minutes before the performance to welcome visitors.

Our main entrance on Westgate Street has step-free access to our Box Office, the Greene Room Bar, accessible toilet and seating in the Dress Circle.

Selected Dress Circle Boxes F, H, K & M all have wheelchair accessible spaces, subject to availability. The maximum entrance width to these boxes is 880mm. Once inside there is 1300mm length of floor for wheelchairs to stand on.

There is no level access from the Greene King Staff Car Park.

Seating is available throughout the theatre where space allows, though there is no fixed seating in corridor areas between the main spaces of our building.

At the front of the theatre in our box office foyer, we have two small benches available for visitors. In our bar area, we have several table & chair seating arrangements.

If you’re unable to stand for long periods, we can reserve a table for you to ensure you have a comfortable visit. If there are no spare seats available during your visit and you require one, we would encourage you to speak to a member of staff who will be able to source a chair for you.

The auditorium typically opens 30 minutes before a show when you will be able to head to your seats.

You can be dropped off at the front of the theatre (Westgate Street). There is a short walk from our main entrance to the auditorium.

Access to the Pit seating area is via 25 steps with a handrail.

Access to the Upper Circle seating area is via 14 steps with a handrail.

Access to the Gallery seating area is via 29 steps with a handrail.

We have toilets throughout the building, a short distance away from most seating areas. Seats in Dress Circle Boxes A – J are the closest to our Greene Room Bar toilets, whilst seats in Upper Circle Boxes E – L are the closest to the Upper Circle toilets.

Our accessible toilet is located between our Box Office foyer and the Greene Room Bar. Dress Circle Boxes F – M are nearest.

There are no lifts at the theatre. We are unable to provide lift access for customers as Theatre Royal is 200 years old and a listed building.

All areas of the auditorium excluding the Dress Circle are only accessible via stairs; Pit (25 steps), Upper Circle (14 steps), Gallery (29 steps).

Access to the theatre from the Greene King Staff Car Park is via steps with a handrail (3-minute walk). Customers who are unable to access the theatre via steps can be dropped off at the front of the theatre before the show (Westgate Street).

All our access customers will require either an Access Card or a free Theatre Royal Digital Access Pass number when purchasing access tickets.

Join our Access Scheme in partnership with Nimbus Disability to gain online access to selected seating, identified to best suit your access needs such as wheelchair accessible seating, and best-view seats for captioning screens and BSL interpreters.

When your application has been processed successfully, Nimbus will provide you with a unique Access Pass number via email which you can use to link your access needs to your theatre account.

Once registered, your Access Card/Pass number will last for three years.

Already have a Nimbus Access Card? There is no need to re-register, just log in or create an account and submit your Access Pass number.

If you are registered carer, or if you are an Essential Companion for someone who requires personal assistance throughout the duration of their visit and would otherwise not be able to attend the theatre on their own, we are happy to offer you a complimentary Essential Companion ticket.

If you require an Essential Companion ticket, you will need to join our Access Scheme in partnership with Nimbus Disability and link your Access Pass number to your theatre account.

Nimbus will oversee your registration, offering you greater privacy and the theatre greater consistency in the support we offer. Applications typically take less than a week to review.

View our seating plan for guidance on level access, hearing loops and recommended seating for Captioned or BSL interpreted performances. If you need to speak to someone about seating, you can contact us.

View our seating plan with access key (PDF)

Our visual story contains information to help you plan and prepare for your visit to the theatre.

View our visual story (PDF)

If it’s your first visit, or you are unfamiliar with the building, we will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and you are welcome to visit us ahead of your performance, to familiarise yourself with what to expect on arrival and when you head to your seats.

Please get in touch with us to arrange a familiarity visit, so we can ensure you visit can be fully accommodated.

Our auditorium, and selected counters, have active hearing loops. They can be connected to through turning your hearing aid to the ‘T’ function. All seats, excluding the first three rows of the Pit and boxes A&S in the Dress Circle, have access to this function.

Assistance Dogs are welcome at Theatre Royal, with selected seating in the Dress Circle most suitable. An Assistance Dog must stay with their owner at all times and water is available upon request.

Live theatre can be noisy, so we have access to a small number of ear defenders for children and adults for anyone finding it too loud, available at all performances. Please visit our Box Office or talk to a steward before the show if you would like to use a pair of our ear defenders, or you are welcome to bring your own with you.

Many of our core staff & stewards have undertaken dementia awareness training to better enable us to support you and your family during your visit to the theatre. Have a look at our range of relaxed performances which we intend to be dementia friendly.