Accessibility Scheme
We want to make visiting the theatre as easy and accessible as we can. MyTheatre’s accessibility booking scheme is a free-to-join membership that has a range of benefits including:
Direct online booking
Book online for access performances including seats held for Captioned, BSL, Relaxed and Audio Described shows. This means that bookers no longer have to call the box office (although you still can if you want to!)
First for Access updates
Sign up to receive an accessibility newsletter – sharing with you information about upcoming access performances, programmes and activities.
Visitor Services Support
Making your visit as comfortable as possible – an easy and discreet way to let us know if there is anything that you think our Visitor Services teams may be able to support you with e.g. step-free access to the auditorium.
Essential Companion Tickets
If you need someone to accompany you in order to make your visit to the theatre easier, signing up will allow you to book a free companion ticket – plus you can do it online! (T&Cs apply).
How do I join?
Joining MyTheatre’s Accessibility Scheme is simple.
Let us know your access needs e.g. BSL interpreted performance or wheelchair space. If there is anything we can do to support your visit – you can let us know here!
b) Send it back to access@norwichtheatre.org, drop it into the box office or post to:
Box Office – Access Scheme
Norwich Theatre
Theatre Street
Norwich
NR2 1RL
c) If you require an essential companion we require evidence of your access needs. This is done through a partner organisation – Nimbus Disability Access Card – follow the link and complete the evidence submission.
Already have an Access Card? No problem – send us a photocopy, picture or pop in and show it to the box office and we can set you up with essential companion ticket
Register for MyTheatre Accessibility Scheme
Essential companion registration here (once you have completed the first form above)
FAQs
Which performances can I now book online?
When you complete and return the form, you will be assigned a corresponding tag which will allow those who need it to book audio-described, captioned, BSL interpreted and relaxed performances online. For those who submit the relevant evidence, it will also allow you to book your free essential companion ticket without calling the box office! Those requiring space for wheelchairs or dog sitting for assistance dogs will still need to call the box office to book a ticket – but you can still join the accessibility scheme. As soon as we are able to book these online will can let you know first!
I like to book on the phone or in person!
No problem! You still can. This scheme allows for booking to be easier regardless of if that is on the phone, over the counter or online! If you require an essential companion, you will still need to complete the form.
I need some help completing the form(s)
No problem! Our box office team will be more than happy assist you with completion of the form. Feel free to pop in an see us during opening hours, or call us on 01603 630 000 and one of the team will go through the form with you. If applying for essential companion registration, we can also support you with this – or you can call Nimbus’ phone registration on 0330 808 5108 and they will support you with your application. If there is anything we can do to support you or make this process easier, please do just ask, we will always do what we can!
Why do I need to submit evidence of my disability to get an essential companion ticket?
It is incredibly important to us that we support audience members with access and we are proud to offer free essential companion tickets to those that need it most. In 22/23 we issued over 6k free tickets to those that needed an essential companion. In order for us to ensure that these tickets go to those who need them, we will now require evidence of access requirement. This is an industry standard that we will be following and we will be using a partner organisation, Nimbus Disability in order to ensure that this is managed effectively, fairly and with our audiences best interests at heart.
Why Nimbus Disability Access Card?
Nimbus is one of the country’s leading providers of disability-related advice and support to professional organisations and is recognised as a leading authority on accessible ticketing in the UK. Nimbus’ Access Card is a single consistent method of communicating accessibility requirements between customer and provider, and is now used by many major live music, events and entertainment organisations. We support Nimbus’ aim for consistency, both amongst our own venues and with other similar organisations and services, and welcome their specialist expertise to help us make fairer decisions about eligibility. Working with Nimbus Disability will help us deliver a fair and consistent service for all customers.
Do I have to pay for the Access Card?
Nimbus offers a product called the Access Card. It is £15 for 3 years and provides you with a card that is widely recognised across theatres, live music and entertainment venues and locations across the country. It is a simple way to communicate your access needs in an easy to understand way. If you do not want to pay for an Access Card, we are working with Nimbus to offer a free verification and registration onto our essential companion scheme. It will provide verification of access requirements for Norwich Theatre venues only for 3 years and is completely free of charge – you can apply for that here
I book tickets on behalf of someone who needs the accessibility scheme. Can I book them online?
Sure! The form will ask you for the details and access needs of the person who requires access support, however, there is a space for you to let us know if you need someone else to book tickets on your behalf. We will apply the relevant information to their account instead so that they can book the tickets for you. In the case of essential companion tickets, the person with access needs will need to be the person attending the theatre, even if booked by someone else. Misuse of this function could result in Norwich Theatre’s decision to remove account access.
Is this just for physical disability?
Not at all, those with a mental health condition who require an essential companion are more than welcome to apply for the scheme. The evidence is deliberately broad and covers any disability.
Do I have to do this for every show?
No! Membership to the access scheme lasts for 3 years, at which point you will be contacted and asked to re-submit evidence, if you would like to remain on the scheme. Once we receive your form we apply the relevant information to your account and you will be able to book online for any and every performance.
What if I need this for a show that is in the next few days?
Don’t worry! Our box office is still on hand to help and we don’t want anyone to miss out. Please call us on 01603 630 000 and we will see what we can do for you. If you need access to an essential companion ticket, and you haven’t registered with Nimbus Disability, you can let them know the date of the show you are booking for and they will endeavour to complete the process in time for you.
What about wheelchairs/scooters and assistance dogs?
We are working hard on ways to facilitate online booking for wheelchair spaces and those who require assistance dogs. We are not quite ready to do this, but by completing the form, we can attribute information to your account making booking with us over the phone, or the counter much easier in the future. This also means you can provide our Visitor Services team with any information that you feel would be helpful in making sure your visit is as easy and comfortable as possible.
What will you do with my data?
Your data will always be held in accordance with our privacy policy which means that we will only send you information about access performances and marketing information if you opt in. Once we have attributed the information from your form to your account we will securely destroy all information. Please do not send us any original pieces of evidence as we are unable to return.
Can I still get single wheelchair discount?
As part of our review of accessibility and our efforts to ensure that theatre is for everyone, we have made the decision to no longer offer the single wheelchair user discount. The reason for the introduction of this discount was because wheelchair seats were only ever available in band A spaces, we now have a range of wheelchair seats in multiple bands as well as access to essential companions, therefore the single wheelchair discount is something we have decided to withdraw. We of course want theatre to remain accessible, and if finances are a concern, the MyTheatre Scheme is available for those on low income, this can be used in conjuction with MyTheatre Accessibility Scheme.