Accessible Performances at Chesterfield Theatres

2nd Dec 2015

Snow white 2

ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES AT CHESTERFIELD THEATRES

With 'Panto Season' nearly upon us many of us consider a trip to our local theatre. However, if you are vision impaired, hearing impaired, have autism or are a wheelchair user visiting the theatre can be complicated and sometimes stressful. We are delighted to say that Chesterfield Theatres have gone out of their way to change all that! Over the coming weeks they are staging a range of Accessible Performances designed to provide a warm welcome and a fabulously entertaining performance for all!

The folllowing accessible events will be happening at Chesterfield Theatres in the coming weeks:

British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreted Performances
These performances at the theatre have a British sign language interpreter at the side of the stage interpreting what is happening:

Sunday 13 December 2pm Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 
Wednesday 16 December 7pm Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 

Audio Described
The Pomegranate Theatre has an audio description box at the back of the auditorium. Here, a Audio Describer will use natural pauses in dialog to verbally communicate what is happening on stage. Audience members who wish to hear the narration will be provided with a headset:

Sunday 20 December 2pm Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs  
Sunday 20 December 6pm Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 
Saturday 12 Mar 3pm Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap 

Captioned
At these perfomrances captions for shows at the theatre are displayed in a digital unit box near the stage. A qualified captioner prepares the captions in advance, then cues them ‘live’ as the action unfolds on stage:

Sunday 20 December 2pm Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs  
Sunday 20 December 6pm Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 
Wednesday 27 January 10am Film: Spectre 

Relaxed Performances:

Open to everyone and is specifically adapted for those with learning disabilities and other sensory and communication disorders these performances provide a more relaxed and supportive atmosphere in order to reduce anxiety and allow people who might otherwise feel excluded, the chance to experience live theatre.

Tuesday 29 December 2.30pm Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 
Sunday 14 February 10.30am We're Going on a Bear Hunt 
Wednesday 13 April 4pm Tortoise and the Hare 

Touch Tours

A touch tour may be offered. This usually happens an hour before the show and attendees will have the chance to explore the set, costumes and sometimes to meet some of the actors.

Sunday 20 December 6pm Touch Tours Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Touch tour starts at 5pm and must be booked separately to the Pantomime performance by calling the Box Office on 01246 345 222)

Familiarisation Tours

Saturday 30 January 10.30am Familiarisation Tour of Pomegranate Theatre


Chesterfield Theatres Access Group

The aim of this welcoming group is to improve accessibility at Chesterfield Theatres by gathering feedback from the general public, in the form of discussion. The next meeting is on Wednesday 27 January at 5.30pm in the Pomegranate Theatre Bar. There is no need to book- you can just turn up. However, if you have any question then please feel free to contact the Chesterfield Theatres Arts Officer carole.copeland@chesterfield.gov.uk or call 01246 345 215.

ACCESSIBILITY OVERVIEW

Chesterfield Theatres is committed to making your visit as welcoming as possible and we offer a range of access facilities to ensure an easy and enjoyable experience for all our customers. Please tell the Box Office on 01246 345 222 if you need any special help.

Assisting dogs are welcome at all venues but please let the Box Office know when booking.

Large print versions of printed materials can be made available on request, advanced notice required.

Essential companions can be admitted for free. They will need to be allocated a ticket at the time of booking.

Car Parking There is currently 1 dedicated disabled parking space outside the main entrance of the Pomegranate Theatre. And, there are a number of car parks close to the Theatres and Visitor Information Centre with disabled parking. 

Emergency procedures are in place at all our venues to assist anyone with a disability to exit the venue safely in the event of an evacuation. Equipment is installed to assist with this on stairways and staff members are trained regularly in its use.

Impaired Mobility Both venues have designated spaces in the stalls/auditorium for wheelchair users, and have adapted toilets. Please be aware that health and safety regulations require that users remain in the wheelchair during performances. 

Hearing Impaired Hearing assistors are available at both venues. Chesterfield Theatres now has signed and captioned performances of the Pantomime. To view performance times and dates, please see the Pantomime event.

Accessibility Quick Reference Guide for those with Impaired Mobility

Venue

Main entrance access from Street

Adapted Toilet/s

Stair Lift

Passenger Lift

Wheelchair User Theatre Seats

Box Office (Visitor Information Centre)

Entrance at street level and has automatic doors

 

 

 

 

Pomegranate Theatre Main Entrance, Box Office and Stalls

Access via ramp from the street to automatic doors

Yes, 1 at rear of stalls

 

 

Please see seating plan

Pomegranate Theatre Bar

 

Yes

 

Unallocated space available for wheelchair users at ticketed events within the Bar

Pomegranate Theatre Circle

 

Circle not accessible for wheelchair users

Winding Wheel Main Entrance

Entrance at street level has automatic doors

Yes

 

Yes

 

Winding Wheel Auditorium (Ground Floor)

 

 

N/A

Please see seating plan

Winding Wheel Circle (Floor 1)

Lift from main entrance. Circle not accessible for wheelchair users

Yes, accessible by lift

Accessible by lift, but not accessible for wheelchair users

Winding Wheel Function Room (Floor 1)

Small ramp to gain access to the Function Room and Ballroom

 

Yes

Unallocated space available for wheelchair users

Winding Wheel Ballroom (Floor 2)

 

Yes

Accessibility Quick Reference Guide for Hearing Impaired

  Infra-red hearing assist headsets Wireless Neck Loops Induction Loop Notes
Main Box Office 
(Visitor Information Centre)
    Yes  
Pomegranate Theatre On the Night Box Office     Yes Two way microphone and speaker system
Pomegranate Theatre Auditorium Yes Yes    
Winding Wheel on the 
Night Box Office
       
Winding Wheel Auditorium Yes Yes    
Winding Wheel Function Room     Yes  
Winding Wheel Ballroom Yes Yes    


 

 

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