Access

Access

We strive to make our venues, events and services as accessible as possible. This page details the access facilities and services we offer. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to improve your experience with us.

Access performances

 

Upcoming Audio Described performances

  • Cinderella - Sun 15 Dec 2024, 12:30pm; Mon 30 Dec 2024, 3:30pm

Upcoming Captioned performances:

Upcoming BSL Interpreted performances:

  • Cinderella - Sun 15 Dec, 12:30pm; Mon 30 Dec, 3:30pm

Upcoming Relaxed performances (available to book by telephone and in person):

No-one will mind if you make a bit of noise or move around. We are happy to make changes to the sound levels, lighting and special effects for your performance, please tell us when booking if we can do anything to ensure you can all enjoy the show. We’ll also be providing a guide on what to expect when you attend.

Access Hosts

Here at Derby LIVE we are committed to making every visit as easy and as enjoyable as possible.

Our dedicated access team within the Sales and Information Centre will be provide help and guidance on your booking.  Access bookings can be made by telephone, text, in person, or by emailing boxoffice@derby.gov.uk.

We will assist with your booking, from getting the right seats that suit your requirements right through to ensuring you are met by our Access Hosts on arrival at the venue.

Telephone: 01332 255800

Email: boxoffice@derby.gov.uk

Typetalk: 18001 01332 255800

SMS text number: 07812 301233

Guildhall Theatre, Market Place, Derby, DE1 3AE

Wheelchair Users

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Derby Arena is fully accessible. Wheelchair spaces are available in all venues, please let Box Office know when you book so we can allocate your seat accordingly.

Unfortunately it isn't possible to book wheelchair seats online. This is because we want to make sure no one else books in wheelchair spaces by accident. If you'd like to make a booking and you or a member of your party is a wheelchair user, please contact Box Office with your contact details and we'll get in touch with you to ensure that all of your needs are catered for.

Toilets

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At Derby Arena there are unisex toilets for disabled people on all levels.

Essential Companion Scheme

We offer free tickets for most events for those who need someone with them to assist with mobility or guidance. For more information and to apply, visit the Essential Companion Scheme page.

Assistance Dogs

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Assistance Dogs are welcome at all venues. Please let Box Office know when you book or at least 24 hours in advance.

Alternative formats

Our What's On guide is available in large print, and in Braille. Please contact Box Office to request a copy and so that we can update your customer record for the future. You can play the latest version of our audio brochure further down this page.

Sound system

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An infra-red sound system is available in all our venues. Please let Box Office know when you book, as the system only works in certain areas, so we need to make sure your seat is in the right area.

Headsets and hearing aid attachments are available for your free use. Even with a digital hearing aid, as with an analogue one, you will still require a headset, neck loop or hearing aid attachment. Please contact the Duty Manager on arrival for further assistance.

Access performances

We offer a number of access performances, look out for the symbol at the top of event pages on this website and in our What's On guide.

Sign-interpreted performances

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Upcoming BSL Interpreted performances:

  • Cinderella - Sun 15 Dec, 12:30pm; Mon 30 Dec, 3:30pm

British sign language (BSL) interpreted performances feature a signer at the side of the stage (usually on the right) who signs the dialogue from the performance. When you book, 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.

Shadow-interpreted performances

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The traditional set up of sign-interpreted performances keeps interpreters off to one side of the stage and means that audience members who are hard of hearing, have to choose whether to watch the action on stage or the professional interpreter on the side.

For this reason, an alternative approach to sign language in the theatre is shadow interpreting, in which interpreters stay on the stage rather than off to the side. By incorporating interpreters into the performance itself, theatres aim to provide a more seamless experience for the entire audience.

A great article on shadow-interpreting by Emily Howlett can be found here.

Audio Described performances

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 narrative that translates the visual image into a sense form.

Free touch tours take place 75 minutes before the performance, with the chance to look closely at the set and costumes and often with a chance to meet some of the actors! Please let Box Office know if you want to attend the touch tour, tickets are free, but should be booked in advance.

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Upcoming Audio Described performances

  • Cinderella - Sun 15 Dec 2024, 12:30pm; Mon 30 Dec 2024, 3:30pm

Captioned performances

Words appear on screens either side of the stage at the same time as they are spoken - ideal for those who are deaf, hard of hearing or if you'd just like to read along. 

Upcoming Captioned performances:

Relaxed performances

Relaxed performances are specifically designed and adapted for customers with a range of impairments and those on the autistic spectrum. They have a less formal, more supportive atmosphere in order to reduce anxiety levels.

Relaxed performances provide an opportunity for customers who may find it difficult to come and see a show to experience the joy of live theatre.

The relaxed performance is still the same show but there are small changes to the sound levels, lighting and no pyrotechnics or strobe lighting are used.

The auditorium doors will be left open and customers, if they wish, are allowed to move around during the performance.

Upcoming Relaxed performances (available to book by telephone and in person):

No-one will mind if you make a bit of noise or move around. We are happy to make changes to the sound levels, lighting and special effects for your performance, please tell us when booking if we can do anything to ensure you can all enjoy the show. We’ll also be providing a guide on what to expect when you attend.

Access Register

Please let us know if you would like to be kept up to date with access information - we send an access newsletter out regularly with details of upcoming access performances. Just log in to your account or create an account and update your preferences or contact Box Office.

Read our latest Access Newsletter

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