Classic Agatha Christie in historic St Martin's Theatre with Step Free Access to Dress Circle
4
4
Date of visit: April 2018
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Good
Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap is a classic whodunit and the world's longest running play. St Martin's Theatre is a historic theatre and the staff facilitate access by putting ramps down to enable step free access to the foyer and dress circle.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
There are three steps from street level to the foyer, with no hand rail. Prior to performances there is a member of staff at the entrance door to assist if required and the door is kept open. In the foyer is the box office and merchandise stall, both counters are at standing height. There is also a counter board which tells you which number of performance you're attending. There are three steps with a handrail on each side. On the evening we attended there was a wheelchair user and we saw the ramp that had been put down and I noticed she sat in the back row of the dress circle. The dress circle is quite small with only about 5 or 6 rows. I had mentioned my mobility disability when I booked, via email, and we were given seats C5 and C6 in the dress circle, at the end of a row. There were about 3 or 4 steps I had to climb down. Although they wasn't a railing it was very manageable, as the steps are not very steep and being a small theatre it wasn't too busy. The people sitting at the opposite end of the row offered to put my crutch in the space in the corner. Access to the stalls involves stairs three steps with a hand rail up and then a flight of stairs down, however once in the stalls the floor slopes downward towards the stage. The upper circle involves more stairs. When you're in the foyer there are three steps next to the counter board and these take you to glass case at standing height which has a silver mousetrap, old script and old programme. A further set of stairs with handrails on both sides leads to the bar. The bar has some a few table and chairs and there are drawings on the Mousetrap.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
The nearest accessible tube is Tottenham Court Road which is now step free for both the Central and Northern lines. The Elizabeth Line aka Crossrail will also stop at the station when it opens. There are several buses that stop a couple of minutes walk away from the theatre.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
There is an adapted toilet at dress circle level, an staff will assist with access, but I didn't use this. There is one toilet cubicle on the foyer level which is not accessible which I used.
Staff
Excellent
Staff were very helpful at time of booking regarding booking seats that I could comfortably manage to get to. On the evening I was advised if I was unable to manage the stairs to the bar that a member of staff would bring our drinks to our seats in the auditorium.
Additional Information
I'm a big Agatha Christie fan and the Mousetrap is thrilling and fun to watch. Their website says that they have a hearing loop and head sets have to be booked in advance and a deposit is required. They also occasionally hold assisted performances.
