Derby Theatre
Overview
Derby Theatre has a long and rich history of delivering high quality drama to audiences. Previously Derby Playhouse, Derby Theatre, which sits at the heart of the city, is now owned and run by the University of Derby. The Theatre is rooted in the local community but international in its outlook. We produce and present high quality performances working with the best local, regional and national talent.
Contact details
15 Theatre Walk Derby Derbyshire East Midlands DE1 2NF United Kingdom
Access Card notes
The Access Card can be used to make telphone bookings and free essential companion places are available for those that need them
Access guidance
- Derby Theatre has seating on all levels of the theatre and there are ushers there to assist in making your visit as comfortable as possible so please let us know your requirements. You can pre order your drinks, tickets, merchandise, ice creams and programmes when booking your tickets to avoid queuing. These can be brought to you when you arrive. Our staff can bring refreshments to your seat inside the auditorium at the interval. If you require specific seating in other areas then this can be accommodated also.
- We have a fully accessible drop off point at the top of the theatre with a permanent ramped double door entrance. Or alternatively you can park in Intu basement car park blue badge area and our lift will bring you directly to all floors of the theatre. We have large accessible toilets on all levels. The restaurant on floor 2 is fully accessible with plenty of room to manoeuvre. We have low counters at the bar, box office and café. We have designated wheelchair spaces inside the auditorium so please mention your requirements when booking.
- You can be dropped off outside the lift that runs from the basement car park, to level 1 where the café and Box Office is, up to level 2 where the auditorium, restaurant and bar is. There is a short walk into the auditorium from the lift. Or alternatively you can be dropped off at our drop of point at the top of the theatre where there is a short distance into the auditorium. We can provide seating around the theatre for rest intervals if required.
- Derby Theatre has large fully accessible toilets on every level of the theatre. If you require urgent access to the toilet because of an impairment / disability you can make this known to staff at any time and they will ensure that you are quickly pointed toward the nearest toilet with discretion and dignity. This can and will include both accessible toilets and staff toilets where necessary. Access Card holders need only to show their card with the WC symbol
- Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the building. Please talk to the box office about any special requirements when booking.
- We operate a scheme for those who require somebody to be present in order to assist them to readily access theatre shows and as such we allow members to buy a seat for themselves at the standard rate and one for an essential companion at no cost.* An Access Card with the +1 symbol automatically entitles the cardholder to a free essential companion ticket.* If you do not have / do not want an Access Card you can register to join Derby Theatre's Assited Access Scheme below. Both schemes will require you sending in information to support your request for a free companion ticket and you are free to choose which one you feel meets your needs. Access Cards can be purchased for £15 for 3 years from CredAbility. CredAbility is an independent scheme. Derby Theatre's Assisted Access Scheme is free to join and a short application form is available from the box office or to download here for individuals and download here for organisations, providing us with contact details and any information the patron would like recorded. All tickets are subject to availability at the time of booking. * This applies to most performances but there are some exceptions so please check on booking.
- If you would like our brochure in large print please enquire at the box office. Audio Described Ideal for blind and partially sighted people, audio description is a form of audio-visual translation using the natural pauses in dialogue or between critical sound elements to insert a narrative that translates the visual image into a sense form. All of our in-house productionsare Audio Described. Find a full list of our up and coming audio described performances here.
- Sound enhancement systems are available inside the theatre and studio. The best quality of sound is through our brand new Digital RF headsets, which are available to borrow free from Box Office. You could also take advantage of our new digital system by using your own earphones, to plug directly into the pocket-sized body packs. If you prefer to use the T switch on your hearing aid, please borrow an induction loop aerial, which is worn around the neck to enable this to work - these are also available from Box Office. Rather than infrared, our new assisted listening sets now work on digital RF frequencies, meaning you won't get interference when someone walks in front of you or you turn away from the stage. We can also offer assisted listening on backstage tours. We provide BSL Interpreted performances for our in-house productions. Please let box office know where you would like to sit: directly in front of the interpreter or on the opposite side, looking across the stage/action. We are also in the process of buying captioning equipment, which will enable us to caption all our in-house performances. Find a full list of our up and coming BSL-Interpreted performances here.
- If you have any other needs which we have not covered elsewhere in this statement please let us know so that we can do our very best to give you full and equal access to our services