Access
A Change of Scenery
We’re nearly finished with our time ‘on the road’ and would like to thank you for following us. The spring season of 2013 will be our last before we return to our newly refurbished building with its improved access facilities.
Access information for off-site venues
To make your experience of The REP in other venues as easy as possible, we have compiled an Access Guide for each venue. Wherever possible, we want to ensure that access in our off-site venues is equal to what you’d expect from The REP. Wherever this is not possible, we will make sure customers are fully aware.
For each venue we have compiled information about booking tickets, getting to the venue, accessing the venue, wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets, hearing assistance and the policy for assistance dogs.
PDF files of the venue Access Guides are available from the Downloads panel on this page. Alternatively contact access@birmingham-rep.co.uk to be emailed copies.
If your requirements are not covered in our Access Guides, then please contact our Box Office, The BOX, on 0121 236 4455 or e-mail us and we will do our best to help.
What you can expect for 2013
Access has been a high priority during the design of the Library of Birmingham development and from 2013 we will have a more accessible building including a lift to all floors and Audio Description & assisted hearing facilities in the new theatre. In addition to the new facilities which are part of the Library of Birmingham development; we have been fundraising to improve and upgrade our existing facilities. This will include:
• Upgrading our hearing assistance / Audio Description system in the Main House.
• Introducing hearing assistance into The Door.
• Fitting hearing loops at all counters.
Access Register
Our Access Register is a service for disabled people and those people who book tickets on behalf of disabled people. If you are an Access Register user, you will still be able to book set-aside seats online through our website. Please ensure that you continue to Log-in before selecting your seats. As long as the correct access preferences are ticked in your customer record, you will be able to select setaside seats for BSL / Audio Description or Captioning, as well as wheelchair spaces for many performances.
If you are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing
Captioned performances
Where possible we have scheduled Captioned performances in off-site venues. During a captioned performance the actors’ words appear as visible text on screens on or near the stage at the same time as they are spoken.
BSL interpreted performances
Where possible we have scheduled BSL Interpreted performances in off-site venues. The interpreter is usually situated on the right hand side as you face the stage. Specific seats with a clear view of the signer are reserved, so please specify that you are booking for the BSL performance when you contact the Box Office.
If you are blind or visually impaired
Information in accessible formats
A large print copy of our brochure is available. We also have an audio version of our brochure – recorded by staff members, as well as audio information about Accessible Performances. This is available as a CD or can be listened to from the Audio panel on this page.
Audio Described Performances
Where possible, we have scheduled Audio Described performances in off-site venues. This service gives you a description of the action on stage, interspersed between actors’ dialogue. You need to pre-book your headset through Box Office and then collect it at the venue for a returnable deposit.
Touch Tours
At every performance where audio description is provided, there is also an opportunity for a Touch Tour of the stage and set. Touch Tours give you an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the set and costumes before the show to enhance your enjoyment of the production. Places are limited so advanced booking is essential.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome at all venues. Please see specific venue guides for more information and make sure you mention that you have an assistance dog when making your booking.
Booking A Ticket
Telephone 0121 236 4455
Online for Access Register users. Please remember to log-in before booking your tickets and to have the correct preferences ticked.
Email access@birmingham-rep.co.uk
Textphone 18001 0121 235 4455 (Typetalk)
In person from our Box Office, The BOX, which is situated in the Central Library Foyer.