Account
Planning your visit
This page will support you in planning your visit and help to answer some popular questions. Find general information about booking a trip to the theatre as well as information specific to our annual pantomime. Towards the bottom of the page, we have provided some downloadable resources.
You can contact us via [email protected] or by calling 01284 769505
Booking a show (not pantomime)
For information specific to pantomime, please see next section.
If you are making a booking on behalf of a school, you will need to contact our Box Office to make a reservation. When making an enquiry, it is useful to have preferred dates and a reasonable estimation of how many tickets you require as well as any known access requirements so that we can reserve your tickets.
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School tickets are £12.00 each with every 11th ticket free at all specified ‘suitable for school’ performances.
Suitable for School performances are typically weekday daytime shows taking place during term.
Trip facilitating adults attending in a 1:1 supporting role are provided with a ticket free of charge to ensure everyone is supported during your visit.
Browse Suitable for School shows
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To book a visit to the theatre, please get in touch with our Box Office.
For schools, we will reserve tickets upon enquiry, allowing you time to finalise your trip arrangements and confirm the final number of tickets required for your visit.
Once we’ve received confirmation of how many tickets you need, we will send you an payment information. We ask that payment is received within 4 weeks of the performance.
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Our auditorium has limited level access and wheelchair accessible seating, with most seating areas accessed via stairs. Some seats in our auditorium will be subject to restricted views which can be unavoidable for large groups.
If anyone in your group has access requirements or additional needs we ask that you notify our Box Office on 01284 769505 or via [email protected] as soon as possible so we can ensure all needs are met and appropriate seating provided.
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Your tickets will only be confirmed once payment has been received.
As school visits are typically large groups, we do not provide E-tickets, instead you will receive a seating plan. When your booking has been confirmed, we’ll send your seating plan so you know where your group is sitting and for your reference on the day.
A confirmed booking can be amended to reflect small changes in attendance but it cannot be cancelled after payment.
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Coaches should drop off and pick up from the theatre’s front entrance on Westgate street. Our Front of House team will be available to support the arrival and departure of your group and see you safely to your seats.
We ask that the lead trip facilitator is on the first coach and that all staff have a copy of your seating plan to help with this.
There are multiple parking options for coaches in Bury St Edmunds including Hilltop Café with services. We are happy to advise coach companies if required.
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We know the cost of travel can be a barrier for schools planning trips to the theatre.
If the cost of travel is a barrier to your school, we would encourage you to apply for locality funding via your local councillor.
We have strong links with West Suffolk Council, Bury Town Council and Suffolk County Council and are happy to put you in contact with the relevant person to support your application for locality funding.
Contact us for more information
Pantomime bookings
You can reserve your school’s pantomime tickets up to a year before the performance through our Box Office. Early booking is advised.
If you are making a booking on behalf of a school, you will need to contact [email protected] to make a reservation. When making an enquiry, it is useful to have preferred dates and a reasonable estimation of how many tickets you require as well as any known access requirements so that we can reserve your tickets.
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Pantomime school tickets are £12.50 each for students and teachers at all specified ‘suitable for school’ performances.
Suitable for School performances are weekday daytime shows taking place during term.
Trip facilitating adults attending in a 1:1 supporting role are provided with a ticket free of charge to ensure everyone is supported during your visit.
Browse Suitable for School shows
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To book a visit to our pantomime, please email [email protected]
You can reserve your school’s pantomime tickets up to a year before the performance. Early booking is advised.
For schools, we will reserve tickets upon enquiry, with the final number of tickets required and payment not needed until the Autumn term, allowing you plenty of time to finalise your trip arrangements.
Upon reservation, you will receive an information pack outlining important deadlines and other key information to help you plan your trip.
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Reservations can be made at any point throughout the year, with tickets going on sale approximately one year before the performance. You can browse ‘suitable for school’ performance dates and times on the event listing.
Final numbers are required early in September at the beginning of the Autumn term when the size of classes and year groups are more certain. If you can provide accurate numbers before September, you are welcome to do so.
Payment is required by the October half term. This allows us sufficient time to finalised seating arrangements and prepare for your visit. If you anticipate issues meeting this deadline then we encourage you to let us know so we can agree alternative arrangements.
A Late-Notice Cancellation Fee is applicable for reservations that are cancelled at very short notice as outlined below.
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Our auditorium has limited level access and wheelchair accessible seating, with most seating areas accessed via stairs. Some seats in our auditorium will be subject to restricted views which can be unavoidable for large groups.
If anyone in your group has access requirements or additional needs we ask that you notify our Box Office on 01284 769505 or via [email protected] as soon as possible so we can ensure all needs are met and appropriate seating provided.
-
Your tickets will only be confirmed once payment has been received.
As school visits are typically large groups, we do not provide E-tickets, instead you will receive a seating plan. When your booking has been confirmed, we’ll send your seating plan so you know where your group is sitting and for your reference on the day.
A confirmed booking can be amended to reflect small changes in attendance but it cannot be cancelled after payment.
Due to the size of school pantomime bookings, confirmed bookings cannot be cancelled or refunded.
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A designated trip facilitator from your school will need to undertake a risk assessment to comply with health and safety law and mitigate risk. We provide all schools with Health & Safety Information specific to our theatre upon enquiry. This is designed to help your trip facilitator complete a risk assessment and does not replace your own risk assessment.
If you would like to familiarise yourself with the theatre prior to your visit, we are happy to arrange a mutually agreeable date for a familiarity visit to show you around ahead of your trip. Please be aware we will only be able to accommodate these visits with prior agreement.
View and download Health & Safety info
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Coaches should drop off and pick up from the theatre’s front entrance on Westgate street. Our Front of House team will be available to support the arrival and departure of your group and see you safely to your seats.
We ask that the lead trip facilitator is on the first coach and that all staff have a copy of your seating plan to help with this.
There are multiple parking options for coaches in Bury St Edmunds including Hilltop Café with services. We are happy to advise coach companies if required.
-
We know the cost of travel can be a barrier for schools planning trips to the theatre.
If the cost of travel is a barrier to your school, we would encourage you to apply for locality funding via your local councillor.
We have strong links with West Suffolk Council, Bury Town Council and Suffolk County Council and are happy to put you in contact with the relevant person to support your application for locality funding.
Contact us for more information
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Theatre Royal is financially dependent on our annual pantomime and all bookings and purchases associated with the production. It is therefore essential that we protect ourselves from the financial risk associated to making large reservations for groups and schools with a late-notice cancellation fee.
Reservations of up to 150 seats cancelled less than 1 month before the performance will be liable for a £250 late-notice cancellation fee.
Reservations of more than 150 seats cancelled less than 1 month before the performance will be liable for a £500 late-notice cancellation fee.
Upon making a reservation, you are agreeing to these terms and are responsible for keeping Theatre Royal informed of any known changes to your reservation, including the need to cancel your reservation.
This late-notice cancellation fee is only in place as a means of protection, it is not a booking fee or intended to catch customers out.
We commit to actively contacting all reservations to check progress, remind customers of upcoming deadlines and maintain a regular dialogue to mitigate the risk of late cancellations.
Health & Safety Information
We are committed to ensuring audiences feel safe and supported throughout their visit.
Workshops information
Provide students with more enriching experiences, read how we can bring the magic of theatre to your school.
Ice Cream Pre-order Form
If you would like to pre-order ice creams for your staff & students to enjoy during your visit, you can do so via our order form.
Other ways to get involved with Theatre Royal
We are always looking to engage with schools and the community through exciting projects, bespoke workshops & partner packages taking place throughout the year. Our projects include exploring Shakespeare & performing on stage and crafting your first play to be performed on our stage by professional actors.
