The Alexandra Theatre

Name: The Alexandra Theatre
Brand: Euan's Guide
Rating: 1.25 (2 reviews)

Overall rating

1.25

2 reviews

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About

Built in 1901, The Alexandra has been home to first class entertainment in the second city for 125 years. Showcasing spectacular musicals, comedy, plays and much more, The Alex is proud to enrich Birmingham's cultural landscape by presenting a variety of touring productions to audiences throughout the year. Much of the theatre’s original architecture built by William Coutts remains, despite refurbishments during its lifetime.

Today the Alex is owned and managed by The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) who are the largest theatre operator in the world combining international stature with core local venues. As a successful and respected theatre provider, ATG has years of experience helping millions of customers enjoy the very best theatre and live entertainment.

Reviews

Overall rating

1.25

(2 reviews)

Overall rating breakdown

5 0
4 0
3 0
2 1
1 0

Access (avg.)

Parking (avg.)

Toilets (avg.)

Staff (avg.)

2.5

ninetoes

Mar 2017

Accessibility

I am not disabled as such but having recently had a toe amputated I really could have done with lift access to the dress circle, instead I had to drag myself up a flight of stairs. How do you get away with such discrimination - there is no excuse. It would certainly put me off booking in advance in future. This is a shame because the performance was excellent.

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l_b1

Oct 2016

2.5

Could do a little better but not bad

I visited the theatre with my daughter in a wheelchair and my son. Firstly either the bell to call for assistance either wasn't working or couldn't be heard so we stood outside for a long time. Then when somebody did come we had to walk quite a way around the theatre to get in. I understand with the style of building it's not easy but walking around under the bridge past the bins was a pretty grim start to the trip. The seats at the back of the stalls are also quite difficult in terms of view. My daughters chair is quite low and I had to take her out at times so that she could properly see.

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Disabled Access Information Provided by The Alexandra Theatre

Disabled Access at The Alexandra Theatre

Lift The Alexandra Theatre does not have a lift. The Dress Circle, Upper Grand Circle and Ambassador Lounge are only accessible by stairs. All stairwells have handrails. Step free access and wheelchairs The Stalls is a step free level and offers a level access via our Access Entrance on Station Street. Access to Stalls is available via the easy access entrance on Station Street, next to Stage Door. There is an intercom and a member of staff will meet you there. Please note, this entrance opens around 30 minutes before the performance. We have 8 wheelchair positions, and all the aisle seats in the Stalls can be used if you wish to transfer to a theatre seat. The average width of the auditorium seats are Stalls (17inches), Dress Circle (17 inches) and Upper Grand Circle (18.1inches). For more information, please contact the Access Champion. Additionally, we have an Entrance on Station Street, where the foyer can be accessed by 1 step from pavement level and 9 steps into the Stalls, once inside the venue. Our Bars and Ambassador Lounge are only accessible by stairs. We offer an At Seat Service when you arrive, please ask a member of staff for more information Seat dimensions The space between the armrests is 44cm/17 inches. The armrests are static. The only free-standing seats without armrests are in the Boxes in the Dress.

Disabled access

Step-free entrance

There is step-free access at the main entrance or an alternative entrance.

Wheelchair-accessible viewing area

A wheelchair-accessible viewing area with step-free access is available, providing an optimal vantage point to view performances, presentations or activities.

Accessible parking at The Alexandra Theatre

Access parking The Alexandra does not have its own car park. There are many public car parks within Birmingham City Centre, most of which have chargeable Blue Badge parking bay(s) available within the car parks. There is street parking on Station Street, with marked Blue Badge bays. These are maintained by Birmingham City Council. The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 210cm x 490cm (6ft 11in x 16ft 1in)

Public or on street parking

Accessible parking bays are available nearby within 50 metres of the entrance.

Drop-off or pick up point

There is a drop-off or pick up point less than 50 metres from the accessible entrance.

Transport nearby The Alexandra Theatre

By train Birmingham New Street Station and Grand Central are only a few steps away from the The Alexandra. Intercity services run from all major towns and cities, including hourly services from London, into Birmingham New Street. By bus Most city buses stop within 5 minutes’ walk from the theatre. For further details on timetables call Travelline on 0871 200 22 33 (landline calls charged at 10p per minute) or online via Network West Midlands. By Plane The Alexandra is approx. 23miles from Birmingham International Airport. There is an adjoining Train Station to the Airport called Birmingham International Train Station, where a number of routes travel regularly to Birmingham New Street.

Airport

There is an accessible airport nearby with suitable facilities and assistance available for disabled travellers.

Train station

There is an accessible train station nearby with suitable facilities and assistance available for disabled passengers.

Bus station or stop

There is an accessible bus station or stop nearby with suitable boarding areas and facilities for disabled passengers.

Toilets features at The Alexandra Theatre

There are Accessible Toilet facilities on the ground floor of Stalls. These are separate, fully accessible, private, unisex facilities located approximately 3m level access from our Accessible Entrance on Station Street. There are baby change facilities within this entrance. Additionally, we have Toilets on each level of the auditorium, inside the Auditorium. The nearest Changing Places Toilet can be found in the Bullring and Grand Central Shopping centre (B2 4XJ). Approximately 0.16 miles from the venue. Please be aware The Alexandra does not operate or maintain this toilet.

Accessible toilet

A designated accessible toilet designed for wheelchair users and others with visible and non-visible accessibility requirements is available within the main public areas.

Accessible formats at The Alexandra Theatre

We can offer any of print or audio options, on request for Brochures.

Sign Language

BSL interpretation is available.

Large print

Information is available in large print format.

Braille

Information is available in Braille format.

Audio formats

Information is available in audio format.

Accessible services at The Alexandra Theatre

Access Ambassadors We have a dedicated Access Ambassador during each performance who, alongside our Front of House and Box Office teams, are happy to assist during the performance. Access Membership The ATG Access Membership Scheme has been carefully designed in partnership with customer focus groups, specialist Access consultants and several organisations led by disabled people. We want ATG to be as accessible and inclusive as possible and will make reasonable adjustments to enable and improve your visit. One way we do this is through our Access Membership Scheme, which is free, and open to all Deaf and disabled customers, and those with long-term health conditions. Access Members can book accessible seats and services online. Joining also helps our staff deliver the best possible standard of service to you. More information, and links to join, can be found on our website. Accessible Performances We also offer Accessible Performances on certain shows. These include BSL Interpreted Shows, Audio Described Performances with Touch Tours, Captioned Performances and Relaxed Performances. An up-to-date calendar of those can be found on our website. Familiarisation Visits. If you would like to visit the venue before your visit, please contact the venue who will be pleased to arrange. Services for blind, partially sighted or otherwise visually impaired audiences We recommend seats in Rows AA, A or B in the Stalls area or Row A in the Dress Circle for customers who require a closer view of the stage. For Audio Described shows please sit in any Row from B to K in the Stalls. Touch Tours may also be available to accompany Audio Described performances; this will be advertised on the web or brochure page for each show. Mobile Connect We offer a Wi-Fi based Assisted Listening system called Mobile Connect which amplifies the performance via your personal mobile phone or tablet. Anyone using this system will be able to hear a live feed of the performance on stage (with Audio Description if attending an Audio Described performance) through their headset or digital hearing aids, from wherever they are sat throughout the auditorium when they are connected to the app. If you have either an iPhone/iPod/iPad or an android smartphone you can download the FREE Sennheiser Mobile Connect App from the app store. Infra-Red System We also have Sennheiser infra-red sound amplification systems installed. We have two types of Hearing Enhancement Aids available to support this system: Induction Loop Necklace - The induction loop necklace is suitable for patrons already wearing a Hearing Enhancement Aid. If you put the necklace around your neck and switch your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting, the sound will be amplified. The necklace has an adjustable volume control. Headset - Headsets amplify sound through earpieces like regular headphones. This is suitable for patrons without a Hearing Aid. You are welcome to use your personal headphones if you prefer. You do not usually need to book in advance and can request the headset or induction loop necklace upon arrival at the venue.

Relaxed performances

Relaxed performances are available.

Infrared induction loop

An infrared induction loop is available.

Assistive listening system - infrared

There is an infrared assistive listening system available.

Audio Description

Audio description is available to describe visual information.

Touch Tours

Touch tours are available for blind and visually impaired customers.

Assistive listening system - Hearing Loop

There is an assistive listening system available e.g. a hearing loop.