Access

At Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios two pairs of seats are held at the front of the stalls for a blind person who has a registered assistance dog and a companion, if required. You can also buy these seats if you are partially sighted and need to be near the stage.

If you have limited mobility, it is possible to enter Mayflower Theatre through a door at the front of the Stalls, by pre-arrangement with either the box office or front of house teams. Raked (stepped) seating begins at Row L.

At Mayflower Studios, entrance to all Studios can be access through our main foyer via lift.

If you need somebody to be present to assist you, you can join our Access Membership Scheme and be entitled to a discounted personal assistant’s seat.

An audio described performance features a live commentary on what is happening on stage relayed to headphone-style receivers through our infra-red system at Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios. The audio description also describes visual elements of the production such as the set, costume, props and facial expressions. If you would like to take advantage of this service please ask to reserve a receiver at the time of booking, as we have a limited number available. Seats in the front row are set aside for people with assistance dogs. Often a pre-show touch tour will accompany an audio described performance.

We welcome guide dogs and assistance dogs. Please advise the box office at the time of booking, so that suitable arrangements can be made to accommodate your dog without causing obstruction in the auditorium.

Where guide dogs or assistance dogs may become distressed or worried during a performance we will be happy to look after it in a staff area away from the auditorium if required.

Customers and their companions are welcome to visit our venues prior to attending a performance in order to familiarise themselves with the layout. These visits can be arranged through our Access Team access@mayflower.org.uk

To accompany our audio described performances we offer a touch tour before specific shows at both Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios.

A touch tour allows visually impaired customers and those supporting them, the opportunity to familiarise themselves with elements of set, props and costumes before attending the show.

Any non-access members must be supporting an access member to attend the tour.

To book your place on the Touch Tour please contact access@mayflower.org.uk or call 02380 711813.

Mayflower Theatre has a radio Sennheiser transmission system, and Mayflower Studios has a radio transmission system to relay sound to customers who require it.

Headsets and Neck Loops are available free of charge from the box office in the foyer.

These systems are regularly checked to ensure that they are operating correctly.

This type of performance features a BSL interpreter who interprets the dialogue on stage as it is being performed. A number of seats in the best area for viewing the interpreter are reserved for patrons and their companions wishing to take advantage of signed performances.

During this type of performance, captions are shown via electronic displays either at the sides or above the stage at the same time as words are spoken or sung. Sound effects or off-stage noises can also be included. Sometimes captions may be integrated into the show, appearing on the set and amongst the staging. This service is intended to help people with any degree of hearing loss. A number of seats in the best area for viewing the captions are reserved for patrons and their companions wishing to take advantage of captioned performances.

A relaxed performance is designed to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed performance environment, including people on the autism spectrum, with sensory and communication difficulties, or a learning disability.

There is a casual approach to audience noise and movement, house lights will remain lit and people are free to go in and out of the auditorium during the show. Some technical changes may also be made to the show – this can include quieter music, reducing loud or surprising sound effects and avoiding strobe lighting.

A chilled performance is ideal for people who feel more at ease knowing they can go in and out of the auditorium during the show. There is a casual approach to noise and movement, but no changes to the content of the show. The performance may still contain flashing lights, haze, loud noises, and special effects as per advertised warnings.