Access

We want our shows to be accessible to everyone.

On this page you can find out more about our accessible performances, and access facilities at the Unicorn.

Booking access tickets

You can book access tickets online using the Access User ticket type for Relaxed and Audio Described Performances. If you require a complimentary Companion ticket, please select this option in your Account Preferences; once this information has been updated, you will be able to book this ticket type.

We have allocated seats for Captioned and BSL Interpreted Performances, please contact our Box Office at boxoffice@unicorntheatre.com or on 020 7645 0560 for more information and to book. More information below about our access performances.

Wheelchair spaces

To access these tickets online, log in to your Unicorn Theatre account and select your requirements under Other Preferences. Once these have been selected you will be able to access wheelchair spaces for both Clore and Weston productions. Please note that for allocated performances in the Weston Theatre, you need to select the wheelchair symbol.

We have 2 wheelchair spaces in the Western theatre and 1 in the Clore theatre, however, if you need a wheelchair space and there are none available to book online, please contact us. If you have more than two wheelchair users in your group please contact us in advance of the performance date, so we can make sure we hold enough wheelchair spaces for your group.

Wheelchair spaces can also be booked by phone or email, please contact our Box Office team at boxoffice@unicorntheatre.com or on 020 7645 0560.

Accessible performances

Relaxed Performances

Relaxed Performances are open to everyone, but are especially designed for those who would benefit from a more relaxed theatre environment, for example, people with learning disabilities or autism.

What to expect from a Relaxed Performance

  • It is OK to move around, make noise and leave or return to the auditorium as you wish.
  • A Visual Story will be available a minimum of a week before the show to help you prepare for your visit, the story and the themes in the show. This will be available on the show's performance page. Here is an Example Visual Story.
  • For the performance itself, house lights are a little brighter, any loud or surprising noises are softened and we remove or amend any moments of audience interaction.
  • We provide a ‘chill-out’ space so you have the option to be in a quiet room before, during or after the performance.

Audio Described Performances

At Audio Described Performances blind and visually impaired people will be given an introduction to the show before it starts, followed by live commentary of the action on stage - including descriptions of visuals - via a headset. This commentary is interspersed with the performers’ dialogue. The headset will be given to you by an usher before you enter the auditorium.

Touch Tours are designed to help audiences with visual impairments familiarise themselves with the key costumes, set and props used during the show, and are available before selected performances. These are aimed towards groups which include someone with access needs that could be met by a Touch Tour, to offer them the opportunity to learn more about what they are about to experience.

Touch Tours are free and can be booked online; when you book tickets for an Audio Described performance, Touch Tour tickets will be available to select once your order has been added to the basket. You can also book with our Box Office on 020 7645 0560 / boxoffice@unicorntheatre.com. Touch Tours are around 45 minutes and usually start one hour before the show start time.

BSL Interpreted Performances

These performances are for people who use sign language. A Trained British Signed Language (BSL) signer usually stands to one side of the stage and interprets the script used by the performers as it is being performed. For these performances we hold tickets with the best view of the interpreter, so please contact our Box Office on 020 7645 0560 or email boxoffice@unicorntheatre.com for more information and to book your tickets.

Captioned Performances

Live captioning assists people who are Deaf or hard of hearing or benefit from reading the dialogue alongside the action. For these performances we hold tickets with the best view of the caption box, so please contact our Box Office on 020 7645 0560 or email boxoffice@unicorntheatre.com for more information and to book your tickets.

Creative captions are also available on selected productions. They offer an opportunity for deaf and hard of hearing audiences to more fully immerse themselves in a performance. Captions appear on stage by being integrated with a set design matching the style of the show and reflect its characterisation and tone.

Deaf friendly shows

Shows that are highly visual with little or no language used are categorised as deaf-friendly.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are very welcome at the Unicorn Theatre. Please let us know in advance if you are bringing your dog and we'll have a water bowl and a comfy spot reserved. Our friendly Box Office team will care for your dog during the show. If there's an interval we will arrange for your dog to visit you. In the case of an emergency, we will try to reunite you with your dog before evacuating the building, if it's safe to do so. If it's not possible, we'll bring your dog to the assembly point.

Access Assistants to welcome you

We want to create a relaxed, supportive atmosphere that allows everyone to access theatre shows without the usual restraints of 'theatre rules'. For Audio Described and Relaxed performances there will be a trained staff member on hand to greet you and make sure you have all the information you need. The Access Assistant will stay for your entire theatre trip.

Ear Defenders

If you require ear defenders for any of our performances, they are available on request from the Box Office.

About our venue

Our building is wheelchair accessible, and there is a wheelchair accessible lift to all floors. There are accessible toilets on Level 2 and in the basement, which are gender-neutral. There are gender-neutral toilets on level 2, 3 and in the basement. There's an infra-red Sennheiser system for sound amplification in both theatre spaces.

The Weston

The Weston theatre is the larger of our two spaces.

Access seats are located on the stalls level, where there are fifteen steps (access to wheelchair seats are step free) and an approximate leg room of between 17.5 - 21.5 inches. Seats do not have arm rests, and the closest to the toilets are D3, D4, E1, E2, F1, G1 (Stalls), B6, B7, B16, B17 (Circle).

Nearest accessible toilets can be found via lift outside Exit A (2nd Floor and Basement). To access via circle, leave via Exit A or B and use the lift.

The Clore

The Clore theatre is the smaller of our two spaces and has bench seating without arm rests. For shows in this venue, we sell seating unallocated and have various seating layouts dependent on the performance. Usually the front row is at floor level, and then there is either two or four steps up to the rows behind. Please contact our box office if you would like more information about the seating for a specific show before booking.

Access newsletter

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