Venue Description

The Mercury Theatre makes you feel welcome the moment you walk in the door. We take you on amazing adventures and promise a great night out. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. Your spirits will be lifted through the power of live, communal entertainment and brilliant shared experiences. We’re more than a theatre. We’re a social and cultural hub for Colchester and beyond. A champion of new talent and new ideas. A hothouse of creativity, where each day we strive to delight, excite and celebrate the variety and drama of life. Mercury is a catalyst for connections. We bring communities, audiences and artists together. We work closely with local people, schools, and like-minded organisations, to enable and inspire. We weave skills, experience and vision to create critically acclaimed productions.

Accessibility

Wheelchair users We can seat up to six wheelchair users in the main theatre and two in our studio, with additional spaces available for specialised performances. Both of our auditoriums have tiered seating, so if you need step-free access do book a space in our accessible viewing areas, or if you can and would prefer to transfer, please book the aisle seats in Row J. Our friendly team can also provide drinks, snacks and ice creams to buy for the interval delivered to your seat. We now have two lifts positioned on each side of the building and accessible toilets on each floor. There are lowered counters in both the box office and the bars to enable customers to collect tickets and buy drinks with ease. We are happy to also provide table service if you would like. Assistance dogs We welcome Assistance Dogs at all performances and it’d be great if you could let us know if you’ll be bringing an assistance dog in your Access For All scheme settings or by giving us a call so we can be prepared for your visit. Your dog can join you for the show or be well looked after by our Customer Experience team – we’ll also provide water bowls if needed! Assisted listening An assisted listening system is available in our main theatre and studio space for all performances. Our system is suitable for use with or without a hearing aid. This can be booked online, over the phone or in person, free of charge and we can also take calls using Text Phone systems. The headsets will be available for collection from the Cloakroom. We also have induction loops at the box office, in the bar and all rehearsal and meeting rooms including the creative engagement studio. Breakout space If you or a member of your party ever need a breakout space, then do please ask a member of our Customer Experience team who will be only too pleased to help and show you where to go to relax. Additional support We have a range of other support and equipment available if ever you need it. Don’t worry if you run out or have forgotten your own, we’ll more than likely have what you need. This might include a manual wheelchair, blankets, noise reducing headphones, paper straws, towels, additional cushions or seat risers.

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/enjoy-your-visit/access-for-all/

Accessible Performances

Assisted Listening Headsets Audio described performances BSL Performances Captioned performances Dementia Friendly Performances Relaxed Performances Social Stories Ear Plugs can be picked up free of charge from the foyer prior to the show. Additional support We have a range of other support and equipment available if ever you need it. Don’t worry if you run out or have forgotten your own, we’ll more than likely have what you need. This might include a manual wheelchair, blankets, noise reducing headphones, paper straws, towels, additional cushions or seat risers.

Toilets

We have accessible toilets on the ground and first floor front of house and then other loos on each floor adjacent to our rehearsal spaces, meeting rooms and offices. We have a changing hoist available for use. Sadly, due to space limitations and planning constraints it was not possible to build a Changing Places facility. However, we do have a hoist available in an adapted dressing room. Do ask a member of our Customer Experience team and they would be happy to help. Please allow time to move within the building to access this facility, especially at busy times. In addition, we have two accessible showers and further changing facilities and dressing rooms available backstage if needed.

Staff

Our Customer Experience team have received basic training in: BSL Sign Language. Autism Awareness Dementia Friends Customer Service and General Access Training. Our Friendly Customer Experience Team can be contacted by phone: 01206 573948 or email: tickets@mercurytheatre.co.uk

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

We welcome Assistance Dogs at all performances and it’d be great if you could let us know if you’ll be bringing an assistance dog in your Access For All scheme settings or by giving us a call so we can be prepared for your visit. Your dog can join you for the show or be well looked after by our Customer Experience team – we’ll also provide water bowls if needed!

Other assistance dog facilities

We have a grassed area outside the theatre entrance and can provide a water bowl.