Overview

The Barbican Centre is an arts venue which contains cinema, theatre, 2 art galleries, exhibition halls, conservatory, library and restaurants. This review is for the Barbican Theatre. I went to see Kiss Me Kate and had an step free seat with a fabulous view. The show was fabulous, very funny and with some familiar songs. It stared Adrian Dunbar, from Line of Duty. Another wonderful visit to the Barbican Centre and I loved the show.

Transport & Parking

The nearest step free tube is Farringdon. There are several buses that stop close by.

Access

BOOKING THE TICKET The theatre operate an access scheme, which you can join online or by telephoning the box office. Some of the seats are reserved for access bookers. I phoned up to book and was offered one of the step free seats for access bookers. The member of staff told me that she had changed my settings and I would now be able to see and book online the accessible seating reserved for access bookers. My ticket was for a seat in the stalls. VISIT The step free entrance to the Barbican Centre is on Silk Street, with automatic doors, and you enter the Barbican at ground level. I headed to the lift at the opposite side, as I was making for the stalls, and had to get past the queue waiting to get into the theatre. I took the lift to -1 level. Be careful not all lifts serve all floors. The lift is spacious and on exiting at -1, I then went through some doors (sorry I can not remember if they were automatic, but I don't think they were). Cross a road, which was not busy, I assume this is the route taxi drop offs take. Then enter the building through another set of doors and arrive in the foyer, see photo. I was taken to my seat. It was in a box at the back of the stalls, see photo. There is space for four people. When I went there were three removable chairs and a gap which was occupied by a person on a mobility scooter. The view of the stage was excellent from there, see photo. What was also wonderful was that you didn't have to keep standing up to let people in and out, as I usually am when I get an aisle seat. It was also easy to get out of at the interval and at the end of the show.

Toilets

For the stalls the accessible toilet is at the opposite end of the foyer and via the bar area. The accessible toilets have yellow lights, see photo, so I just made for them. I used the accessible toilet on the left of the photo. It does not require a key. When you go through the entrance door it leads into a small room with a baby changing drop down mat, but no sink, and an emergency cord. Then there is a manual door which leads into the actual accessible toilet. The toilet room is spacious with plenty of grab rails and an emergency cord. This is a slightly strange set up because you could go into the toilet and then when you come to exit find someone using the baby changing facility in the adjacent room. The Barbican Centre also has a Changing Places toilet but this is in a separate building which houses its cinema. This requires a RADAR key. I am unsure if you would have enough time to use this during the interval but it is handy to know for pre and post show.

Staff

Staff were very helpful and friendly. Excellent, outstanding customer service. On the telephone the member of staff was so informative and helpful. She also anticipated my needs and gave authorisation so that I could book online myself next time. At the Barbican Centre when I arrived I asked what level I needed to be on and a member of staff directed me. On arrival in the stalls foyer, a member of staff was called to see me to my seat. they were also around at the interval and asked if I was ok.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Kiss Me Kate is an amazing production, the visit was so accessible and staff so helpful, proactive when I arrived and checking in midway. Can't wait to return here and highly recommend it.

Photos