Theatre Royal

Bday night out for the first time at the theatre in years. Used to work as a sound engineer in the venue before my disability so I know it’s a very old building and would have limited access. I used a powerchair or walking stick depending on pain levels and have An access card for the theatre so they were aware I was visiting. We had front row first circle seats. The steps up were just about bearable, however the few steps down to the front row were steep ( go for row C and back to avoid). Seats are very tight for leg room but there are wheelchair spaces in the Stalls. On our visit I was so desperate for a lay down in the interval ( I have a back injury) that I tried just to have a sit on the ground in the Ladies. Someone thought I’d fainted and a staff member rushed to me. I explained my situation and she very kindly showed me to the private bar room with a sofa in and told me to make myself comfortable. She was happy to grab my friend to let her know where I was and came back to check on me and got me back to my seat for curtain up. She also said if I wished I could have a ‘proper’ chair at the back of the seating and they’d refund my ticket. She couldn’t have been anymore helpful and understanding if she tried. They already are part of the ATG access card system so you can take comfort from having a friend or carer with you a no charge. They are able to accommodate a wheelchair for the whole show or if you’re able to transfer to a chair to store your own chair next to you or away safely. The whole of the downstairs is wheelchair accessible with an accessible loo too. You can pre book drinks as well ( most important!) and the ice cream. Parking wise is a bit hit and miss. There are two oddly unmarked bays on New Rd, it’s just different shades of stone on the ground to show the bays. There are a few on surrounding streets but some are only 3 hours so might be tight for a show and getting there. There’s an NCP with free parking just at the top of the road but a hill to get back up to. Best bet, if you can, get an Uber. All in all, my confidence was given such a boost to be able to go to the theatre again, this time as an audience member and not crew!