Panto additional information

Access performances

Wheelchair access and toilet facilities at Derby Arena

Derby Arena is fully accessible with the lifts and ramps located throughout the building. E

Our printed materials are available in large print, on audio CD and in Braille. Visit the Access page for more details, 

There are several toilets available throughout the building and . There are also unisex toilets for disabled people available throughout the Arena.

Derby Arena has a Changing Places toilet, providing enough space for disabled people and their carers, and the right equipment, including a height-adjustable changing bench and a hoist.

Audio Described performances

The following performances are Audio Described performances: Sun 18 Dec at 12:30pm and Thu 29 Dec at 4:30pm.

These shows are 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.

Relaxed performance

The following performance is a Relaxed performance: Wed 28 Dec at 4:30pm.

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

If you want to sit somewhere quiet before, during, and after the show then you can sit in the chill-out area. The chill-out area will be quiet during the performance in case you want to relax in there before going back to see the rest of the show. There will be a TV in this area which will show what is happening on the stage, so that you don't miss anything!

Relaxed performances are available to book by phone on 01332 255800 or in person at the Sales and Information centre. You can download our previous Relaxed Performance guide here.

BSL Interpreted performances

The following performances are BSL Sign-Interpreted performances: Fri 16 Dec at 10am; Sun 18 Dec at 12:30pm and Thu 29 Dec, 4:30pm.

The traditional setup 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.

Captioned performances

The following performances are captioned performances: Thu 29 Dec at 12:30pm and 4:30pm

In a captioned performance, words appear on screens on 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.  

Important information

Car Parking

Car parking will be available at Derby Arena for £3, cash only. Please see information below for performances clashing with the DCFC football matches.

Security, searches and prohibited items

What security measures are in place?

We respectfully ask for your cooperation on bag searches and approaches from security personnel to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort.

What items are not allowed into the pantomime?

For your comfort and safety and that of other audience members, we’d ask that you don’t bring any of the following to the pantomime:

• Dangerous or hazardous items
• Laser devices
• Anything that may be used as a weapon or compromise safety
• Unauthorised professional photography or recording equipment, including zoom lenses
• Audio/visual or cinematographic devices

Random searches will be in place and you will be asked to take any prohibited item(s) back to your car or allow them to be disposed of. 

DCFC football matches

Derby County Football Club match fixtures will overlap with some performance of Aladdin. This will affect traffic and parking arrangements for these performances.

General COVID-19 precautions for all events

To ensure we are able to provide a comfortable and safe experience for everyone, there are a few things we would like you to do and know ahead of your visit. Please take a moment to read the information below.

We work closely with the National Arenas Association and UK Theatre to ensure best practice and share ideas across venues throughout the UK. 

We also work with Derby City Council Health and Safety advisors alongside the COVID-19 Safety Committee to ensure all our events are as safe as possible and successful. 

Look out for key information on the event pages or in any emails we send you in advance of your bookings. 

If you have symptoms or have been told to self-isolate

If you have made a booking and have confirmed COVID-19, have been told to self-isolate by NHS test and Trace, or you are have symptoms of COVID-19 please do not attend an event.  Please contact the Sales and Information team by email or on 01332 255800 option 1 at least 24 hours before you are due to attend where you will be offered the choice to reschedule your tickets to a different performance or have a full refund.

Will there be any restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

We will be following the latest Government advice. You should wear a face-covering unless you are exempt. The guidance continues to advise caution. We strongly advise you to take a lateral flow test before attending an event and to socially distance where possible, and use the hand sanitiser and washing facilities provided.

Will I have to wear a mask?

We encourage you to wear a face-covering unless you are exempt. 

So we can all feel confident about being together again, we will:

• Clean and sanitise areas regularly.
• Provide hand sanitiser stations.
• Keep indoor spaces as ventilated as possible.
• Offer a refund for customers who cannot attend an event due to self-isolating or contracting COVID-19 up until 24 hours before the event.
• We’ll continue to ask you to maintain a safe social distance where possible when queuing and moving around.
• At the end of an event we may use all the available exits and we may direct you out of a route different to the one you came in through. 

• Our indoor building management systems will monitor air quality and have all been updated and maintained to ensure maximum efficiency for the safety of our customers, staff, and visitors. This includes maximising fresh air rates within each venue.

We encourage you to:

• Check-in with the NHS COVID-19 app when you’re out.
• Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds with soap. When out and about, use hand sanitiser. 
• Please keep movement to a minimum indoors and try to keep a respectful distance from other customers as much as possible.  

By following this guidance you can continue to Do the Right Thing for Derby and look after yourselves and others. But above