Accessibility Services
Your visit should be defined by the performance on stage, not the logistics of getting to your seat.
We offer a range of services to make your visit to the Marlowe Theatre as seamless and accessible as possible. If there is anything else you need to enjoy your evening, please reach out to us at boxoffice@marlowetheatre.com.
Accessing audible information
Many of our shows include Captioned or BSL (British Sign Language) performances.
At a Captioned performance, subtitles are displayed on large screens, usually either side of the stage. Click here to find out more.
At a BSL Interpreted performance an interpreter stands on or aside the stage and interprets the spoken word and sound effects of the performance in British Sign Language. At a BSL Integrated performance, the interpreter is part of the action on stage. Click here to find out more.
We retain a limited number of the best seats for Captioned and BSL performances, bookable by those with the Audible Information symbol. Captioned performance seats are indicated by an “OC” symbol, and BSL performance seats are indicated by a hearing aid symbol. If these seats are not available, or you would prefer to sit elsewhere, you will still receive any relevant discounts.
We have installed a Sennheiser hearing loop system in our Main House and Studio which uses radio frequencies to amplify sound from the stage. Personal induction loops are available for use with a hearing aid; for those who do not wear a hearing aid, headphones are available.
You can collect induction loops and headphones from our Box Office; our staff will be happy to give you advice on how to operate these and you can also download our How to use our Sennheiser Hearing Loop instructions.
We can often provide written materials such as flyers as a BSL-interpreted video. If you would like to receive materials in these or another format, please get in touch.
Accessing visual information
Many of our shows include Audio Described performances.
At an Audio Described performance, live commentary of the show is provided via a personal headset. Click here to find out more.
Touch tours give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world presented on stage by touching parts of the set, props and costumes. They often take place on our stage before an Audio Described performance.
Assistance dogs are welcome in our building, Main Auditorium and Studio. We may be able to offer dog sitting at Stage Door during the performance. As spaces are strictly limited and subject to availability, please get in touch at least one week in advance of your visit to enquire or book.
We can often provide written materials such as flyers and programmes in large-print, Braille, and audio file format. If you would like to receive materials in these or another format, please get in touch.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome in our building, Main Auditorium and Studio. We may be able to offer dog sitting at Stage Door during the performance. As spaces are strictly limited and subject to availability, please get in touch at least one week in advance of your visit to enquire or book.
Difficulty standing
For busy shows and performances that necessitate bag checks, there can sometimes be long queues outside of the theatre. We would recommend either arriving earlier than the advised half an hour before the scheduled start time of the performance, or waiting until the queue has quietened down.
There is a limited amount of seating in the Stalls foyer. You may find there is more seating in the Crown Bar and Barrett’s Bar on the Circle and Upper Circle levels respectively. You are welcome to use these areas even if your seats are on a different level of the auditorium.
Difficulty with crowds
Early access to the auditorium can be requested by contacting the Box Office in advance, or by speaking to a member of staff upon arrival. Where possible, you will be permitted to take your seats approximately half an hour before the show, at which point the doors will then be opened to the rest of the audience.
For busy shows and performances that necessitate bag checks, there can sometimes be long queues outside of the theatre. We would recommend either arriving earlier than the advised half an hour before the scheduled start time of the performance, or waiting until the queue has quietened down.
Distances
We have accessible toilets on every floor within reach of our Main House and Studio. There are toilets on either side of the auditorium, so we recommend booking aisle seats closest to the auditorium doors.
To help you plan your visit, here are some approximate walking distances. Please note these are indicative and may vary slightly.
Entry Advice
For Door 1: Use the glass doors on the left (nearest to the Blue Badge parking spaces).
For all other tickets: Use the glass doors on the right (opposite the Box Office) for the shortest route.
Ground Floor (Main Entrance)
Willet Bar: 5 steps
Box Office: 15 steps
Lift: 20 steps
Door 1: 45 steps
Door 2: 35 steps
Circle Level (from lift)
Crown Bar: 15 steps
Door 3: 50 steps
Door 4: 30 steps
Door 5: 75 steps (includes stairs)
Door 6: 20 steps (includes stairs)
Upper Circle Level (from lift)
Barretts Bar: 15 steps
Door 7: 50 steps
Door 8: 20 steps
Door 9: 75 steps (includes stairs)
Door 10: 50 steps (includes stairs)
Essential companion
For those that have the +1 symbol, we are happy to offer an additional discounted ticket at our access rate. Ticket price varies.
Level access
The main entrance to the theatre is entirely step-free via the sloped forecourt at the front of the building.
There is lift access to all three floors of our theatre, and we have bars and accessible toilets on every level. Please let us know if you are unable to use the stairs, so we can arrange a plan for you in the event of an evacuation.
There are up to 10 wheelchair positions available over all three levels of our Main House, and up to six wheelchair spaces in our Studio. In addition to this, the following areas of the Main House are completely step-free:
Stalls
M1-29
Circle
G1-22
Upper Circle
E1-5 and 28-32
F6-28
The Studio (on the first floor at the Marlowe Theatre) is a flexible space, in which the layout changes depending on the event. For advice on the seating layout for a particular show, please visit our website or phone our Box Office team.
Urgent access to toilets
We have accessible toilets on every floor within reach of our Main House and Studio. There are toilets on either side of the auditorium, so we recommend booking aisle seats closest to the auditorium doors.
If you need urgent access to a toilet during your visit, please speak to a member of our Front of House team who will be happy to help.
Other information
The seats in our Main House are 43cm(d) and range between 42-46cm(w). All seats in our Studio are 41cm(d) x 42cm(w).
If you would like to visit our spaces to help you to feel comfortable and know what to expect before you come to see a show, please get in touch with our Box Office to organise a familiarisation visit.
Certain items can be borrowed for the duration of your visit, including wheelchairs and ear defenders. Please speak to a member of our Front of House team on arrival.
