Overview

I have visited this theatre many times so am used to it's slightly boho feel, however it may be difficult to navigate when going for the first time as it isn't really laid out like a typical theatre. Content warnings were available when booking tickets, and again on the day of my visit at the door of the theatre. Booking our seats was easy to do with an online seating plan and access information available to help us pick a space that would best meet our needs. Unfortunately there were no free carer tickets for this show, despite this being an accomodation the theatre strive to offer. Any essential companions often have to pay full price here as it is the discretion of each visiting company weather to provide this subsidy or not.

Transport & Parking

The venue is an equidistant 6 minute walk from 2 NON Wheelchair Accessible tube stations. You'd need to get a bus throguh tea time Zone 1 traffic to get any closer to the theatre than this, but the streets surrounding the theatre are all wide and flat so are a good surface for mobility aids. The lack of level access tube stations is no one's fault but TFL's and they are currently working to improve that however it is a long, slow, and unreliable process. Central London locations like this rarely have much parking nearby and when they do it is almost always full or very expensive. It's typically easier for most people to just get a taxi instead, yet it isn't fair that you'd have to pay out that much more than the few pounds off an oyster card just because you're disabled. I also find public transport a sensory hell - maybe we could have quiet coaches on the trains and the bottom level of every bus?

Access

For audience members the venue is fully level accessible, however the same cannot be said for the dressing rooms and backstage areas. There were no alternate forms of information, including the programme for the show, however the details of the cast and crew were also displayed on their WAAG complaint website: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/access-information/

Toilets

Staff

The staff here receive excellent Disability Equality Training and were, as always, incredibly accommodating. On this occasion I could meet my own needs thanks to a considerate readmittance policy and new (end on) configuration of the auditorium. This is not always in place as the actors often use aisles as their entrances/ exits, however the ushers will always do their best to get you in and out as quickly as possible when necessary.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

No precautions here at all. The foyer can get incredibly crowded and is open an hour before most shows begin, so is often a busy environment. Not a lot of space to take time away if you need any.