ACCESS AND FACILITIES 

Audio Description

Friday 8th March 2024, 7:30pm

 Captioned

Sunday 17th March 2024, 3pm

 BSL

Friday 1st March 2024, 7:30pm

 Nimax Theatres are committed to providing the very best service to all of our patrons and want to ensure your visit is as comfortable as it can be. If you would like to discuss your specific access needs please contact our access team. You can call 0330 333 4815, email access@nimaxtheatres.com or write/visit Duchess Theatre, 3-5 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5LA

To access the auditorium there are 20 stairs down to the Stalls and 11 stairs up to the Dress Circle. Wheelchair user access is provided using the AAT Major Stair Climber. The stair climber accommodates manual wheelchairs up to 66cm (26 inches) wide and 89cm (35 inches) deep including any footrest. The maximum combined weight the Stair Climber can accommodate is 190kg (30 Stones) when distributed evenly across the wheelchair.  Electric wheelchair users may be asked to transfer into the theatre’s manual wheelchair on arrival if the theatre staff consider the electric wheelchair unsuitable for transportation on the Stair Climber. 

Electric and manual wheelchair users are requested to contact our Access Team via phone or email ahead of purchasing tickets to discuss specific requirements and to book the use of the Stair Climber. 

We ask that all patrons requiring the use of the Stair Climber arrive at the theatre 45 minutes before the start of the performance. Follow this LINK to watch a short video clip of the Stair Climber in action. Stalls N1 and J14 provide wheelchair spaces, with companion seats adjacent. 

There is a fully adapted unisex toilet at the rear of the Stalls auditorium and Ladies and Gentleman’s toilets on all levels.

The theatre bars are located in the Foyer and the Stalls. A member of theatre staff will offer assistance purchasing beverages on behalf of customers. Programmes and Ice Creams are available in the main foyer and auditorium. All drinks and refreshments will be available for pre-order to minimise queuing and assist social distancing.

Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome.  For comfort we recommend purchasing a seat on the end of a row.  Alternatively we provide a dog sitting service for 2 dogs at a time; advance booking is recommended.

The theatre is fitted with a Williams Sound hearing assistance system.  Headsets are available on a first come first served basis.

The following receivers are available:

The WIR RX15-2

WIR RX22-4N

The WIR RX15-2 is a two-channel, infrared receiver designed for use with a transmitter operating on 2.3 MHz or 2.8 MHz. This easy-to-operate, headset-style receiver is ideal for listening applications where excellent sound quality is essential. Each earphone features its own individual volume-control knob. A push-button frequency selector makes it easy to alternate between 2.3 MHz or 2.8 MHz operation.

The WIR RX22-4N is a four-channel selectable, infrared receiver compatible with transmitters operating on the 2.3/2.8/3.3/3.8 MHz bandwidth. Dual infrared detectors maximize sensitivity and operating range. Range of up to 28,000 square feet (2,600 square meters) in single-channel mode when used with a Williams Sound WIR TX925 or WIR TX90 infrared system. Comfortable, body-pack design features convenient channel selector and easy-to-use on/off volume control. The RX22-4N can be used with mono or stereo headphones, earphones or a neckloop (lanyard included).

Details of specific access performances for each production can be found on the show pages. These may include relaxed, BSL Interpreted, Audio Described and Captioned performances and are arranged by the producers. To prepare for your visit to the Duchess Theatre to see the relaxed performance of The Play That Goes Wrong, download our visual story here.