Access information
We want to make your visit to Norwich Theatre as enjoyable and comfortable as possible, so here you can find more information regarding our services and accessibility in all areas of our venues.
Our MyTheatre Accessibility Scheme makes it easy for you to share any information you may need to help us support your visit. We are also delighted that members of this scheme are able to book their tickets online, as well as in person or over the telephone. Registration is simple, find out more here.
The nearest Changing Places toilets to the Theatre Royal are in The Forum and Chantry Place. There is a helpful map on their website of other nearby locations if you search Norwich. The postcode of Norwich Theatre Royal is NR2 1RL.
If you have any questions please do speak to our Box Office team when booking on 01603 63 00 00 or speak to Visitor Services on 01603 598500.
Building Access
We are committed to making any visit to the theatre as easy and enjoyable as possible. Our Visitor Services team will be on hand to support you to get the most out of your experience.
We’re always trying to learn and improve, if you have any suggestions or requests please do get in touch.
Theatre Royal
There is step free access available to all auditorium seats in the stalls.
The circle level can be reached via a lift in the main foyer, but circle level seats require guests to use stairs inside the auditorium.
We have six accessible & gender neutral single occupancy toilet facilities spread across all 3 floors of the building. Shared gender neutral toilet facilities are located in Prelude restaurant.
Seat dimensions:
Seat dimensions and leg room can vary across the auditorium depending on which row you are in. Seats are roughly 455mm wide between the armrests with a seat pad width of 430mm and leg room of 300mm in the stalls and 250mm in the circle. Arms rests either side cannot be removed.
We also have wider seats available in row B of the circle which do not have arm rests attached. These can be booked by speaking to our box office team on 01603 63 00 00.
If you require additional leg room please also speak to Box Office for accurate advice when booking.
Playhouse
Step free access is available to row G in the auditorium and to rows R & T via the platform lift. All other rows do require guests to use stairs inside the auditorium.
The platform lift in the Playhouse Foyer can be used to take guests using wheelchairs or mobility aids to the upper gallery. Access to our wheelchair spaces in row T is via the upper gallery.
The Playhouse lift has a maximum weight capacity of 300 kg and the platform size is approximately 800 x 1,250 mm. The lift will be operated for you by a trained member of staff.
We have two accessible and gender neutral toilet facilities. One is located on the ground floor off the bar terrace and the other is located on the upper gallery on the first floor.
Seat dimensions:
We have two types of seat at the Playhouse The Balcony and Main Auditorium.
The Balcony seats are roughly 440mm wide between the arms with a seat pad width of 420mm and leg room of 330mm. Arms rests either side cannot be removed.
The Main Auditorium are roughly 460mm wide between the arms with a seat pad width of 430mm and Leg room of 250mm. Arms rests either side cannot be removed.
Stage Two
The foyer lifts provides step free access to all three studio spaces in Stage Two.
Seven single occupancy gender neutral toilets and two accessible toilets are spread across four floors, along with both gents and ladies toilet facilities.
Studio 1 is a black box theatre space with retractable bench seating and rows of moveable chairs. Seating is unallocated and spaces are reserved for those guests using a wheelchair or mobility aid.
Seat dimensions:
Bench seating: has a step height of 15cm. Seat height of 45cm with a seat depth of 40cm. Seat back height (from cushion) is 35cm. There are no armrests and so seat width is N/A
Free standing chairs: Seat height of 44cm, depth of 44cm and seat width of 41cm. The seat back height (from cushion) is 40cm and the chairs have no armrests
Our services
Guide/assistance dogs
Registered assistance dogs are welcome and can be taken into the auditorium. Please mention this when booking and a space will be blocked off for your dog besides your sets. We can also let you know about any special effects that might affect your dog’s comfort. Alternatively, guide dogs can be left in the care of our Visitor Services team outside the auditorium.
Hearing headsets and enhancements
Headsets amplifying the sound from the stage are available to borrow from the main Foyer. For patrons using hearing aids with a built in T setting we offer necklace hearing loops.
An induction loop is fitted within the auditorium. If you have a digital hearing aid, please check with your audiologist that your hearing aid is loop-enabled for use at the theatre.
Essential Companion Tickets
Guests using wheelchairs
If you’re visiting the theatre and use a wheelchair we have a number of spaces available to book.
At the Theatre Royal we can make wheelchair accessible spaces in stalls row K, stalls row U, Stalls row V and circle row B.
At the Playhouse we can make wheelchair accessible spaces in row T or row G.
These can be booked by telephoning our Box Office on 01603 63 00 00 or online by joining our MyTheatre Accessibility Scheme.
Wheelchair transfers and mobility aids
If you require the use of a wheelchair, walker or mobility aid to reach your theatre seat our Visitor Services team will be happy to show you in to the auditorium. Mobility aids can be stored for you during the performance and then returned to you at the interval or after the performance. Just make yourself known to a member of staff in the foyer upon your arrival and we can support you during your visit.
Familiarisation visits
Coming to the theatre can feel quite daunting or stressful and we want to make you as comfortable as possible. If you would benefit from visiting the theatre during a quite time in the day away from the crowds during a show we are happy to provide this. Please do speak to a member of our Visitor Services team on 01603 598 500 to arrange a convenient time.
Access Performances
We are proud to offer a programme of accessible performances across the Norwich Theatre throughout the year, including: Captioned Performances; BSL Interpreted Performances (British Sign Language); Audio Described Performances with Touch Tours; Dementia Friendly Performances and Relaxed Performances. More details on each type of performance can be found below.
Access performance types
Dementia Friendly
Open to all but slightly adapted to be more appropriate for people living with dementia, with trained staff on hand to help with your visit. During the performance, the lights inside the theatre will remain on at a low level, sound levels will be monitored and any special effects softened to ensure the experience remains comfortable for everyone.
Virtual Tours