1.5
Wyndham Theatre Not Suitable for Wheelchair Users!
The Wyndham Theatre,London (Review)
In January I booked to see Donmar Warehouse’s production of “Next to Normal” for 9th September. It transferred to The Wyndham Theatre and opened on 18th June 2024 for a limited thirteen-week run ending on 21st September 2024. This musical has been touted as a must see of the summer and it was a brilliant production!
This theatre only has two wheelchair and two companion/PA spaces available and these are in Box A, which is stated as being in the stalls but in reality it is accessed directly from Charing Cross Road and not the stalls. The reviews I have read make it sound as if you enter the theatre from Charing Cross Road and then a platform lift once inside takes you down to Box A ;but this is not accurate.
Box A and Accessible Seating
When we arrived at just before 7pm we were told we could wait in the foyer until the stalls were open, but I would have to wait for the ramp to access the foyer. This ramp never materialised and the host told us that we could go to Box A. We were not expecting what happened next. The host opened a double door onto Charing Cross Road and there was the platform lift waiting to lower me into Box A complete with carpet. Next to the platform lift was a four steep steps with a handrail down into Box A for the companions/PA’s to access the box. While you are seated in the box the platform lift becomes part of the floor which means that if there are two wheelchair users the first to arrive has to move to the left of the box for another wheelchair user to enter. The box is very small and we found it tight with just myself and friend, so if you had another wheelchair and their companion I don’t know how it would work.
Accessible Toilet
The only accessible toilet in the theatre is only available for those patrons using Box A, anyone else needing an accessible toilet has to go to an adjacent theatre. However, accessing the accessible toilet is a trial in itself. The toilet is on the right side of the box which meant I had to stand up and move my powerchair and walk into the toilet (I am able to walk a few steps). This toilet was in all essence a large broom cupboard and in my opinion not fit for purpose. If you are a wheelchair user who needs to transfer from your chair then forget it as the toilet is too small for the smallest of chairs and my powerchair is considered a small 10J. The final thing is the door had a weird way of opening as it folds in two so you have to push/pull.
Final Thoughts
It is obvious that Box A is built under the stairs. The box’s double doors open directly onto the street it was cold inside the box and I could not see any form of heating in the box, I was glad I had my denim jacket. Also, we could hear the odd police car go by. This was not an issue because it was a musical but if it was a play the noise would cause issue.
The Wyndham Theatre,London (Review)
In January I booked to see Donmar Warehouse’s production of “Next to Normal” for 9th September. It transferred to The Wyndham Theatre and opened on 18th June 2024 for a limited thirteen-week run ending on 21st September 2024. This musical has been touted as a must see of the summer and it was a brilliant production!
This theatre only has two wheelchair and two companion/PA spaces available and these are in Box A, which is stated as being in the stalls but in reality it is accessed directly from Charing Cross Road and not the stalls. The reviews I have read make it sound as if you enter the theatre from Charing Cross Road and then a platform lift once inside takes you down to Box A ;but this is not accurate.
Box A and Accessible Seating
When we arrived at just before 7pm we were told we could wait in the foyer until the stalls were open, but I would have to wait for the ramp to access the foyer. This ramp never materialised and the host told us that we could go to Box A. We were not expecting what happened next. The host opened a double door onto Charing Cross Road and there was the platform lift waiting to lower me into Box A complete with carpet. Next to the platform lift was a four steep steps with a handrail down into Box A for the companions/PA’s to access the box. While you are seated in the box the platform lift becomes part of the floor which means that if there are two wheelchair users the first to arrive has to move to the left of the box for another wheelchair user to enter. The box is very small and we found it tight with just myself and friend, so if you had another wheelchair and their companion I don’t know how it would work.
Accessible Toilet
The only accessible toilet in the theatre is only available for those patrons using Box A, anyone else needing an accessible toilet has to go to an adjacent theatre. However, accessing the accessible toilet is a trial in itself. The toilet is on the right side of the box which meant I had to stand up and move my powerchair and walk into the toilet (I am able to walk a few steps). This toilet was in all essence a large broom cupboard and in my opinion not fit for purpose. If you are a wheelchair user who needs to transfer from your chair then forget it as the toilet is too small for the smallest of chairs and my powerchair is considered a small 10J. The final thing is the door had a weird way of opening as it folds in two so you have to push/pull.
Final Thoughts
It is obvious that Box A is built under the stairs. The box’s double doors open directly onto the street it was cold inside the box and I could not see any form of heating in the box, I was glad I had my denim jacket. Also, we could hear the odd police car go by. This was not an issue because it was a musical but if it was a play the noise would cause issue.
