Overview

We bought tickets the morning of the show when we saw Little Women was on. It was an amazing experience overall - fantastic accessibility support, clean and spacious accessible facilities, and a calm, welcoming environment. We were lucky with our visit, not only because I ended up with the most fantastic woman helping me book access tickets, but also because we found out after the show ended that there was a surprise Q&A with the cast and director. A few of us stayed behind, and they encouraged us to sit in the stalls for the Q&A - so I got the experience of viewing from both the Dress Circle and the Stalls. The view is still good from the wheelchair-accessible space in the stalls, but I personally preferred the Dress Circle view. (Pictures below.)

Transport & Parking

York Theatre Royal is very central, so we walked there easily from our accommodation. The pavements nearby were smooth and easy to navigate as a wheelchair user. I can't comment on parking, but access on foot or by public transport seemed very manageable.

Access

Access was great. When booking, I was nervous about obstructed views as a wheelchair user, but the member of staff I spoke to was incredibly patient and knowledgeable. She didn’t just mention that there was a lift - she explained that it was quite tight for powerchairs and that you had to exit at an angle, which was really helpful to know beforehand. She also reserved multiple seats for me, in case I struggled with the lift or needed alternative viewing options. Inside the venue, everything felt smooth. The accessible seating areas were well thought out, and it didn’t feel cramped. There were seating scattered in the lobby too. Having the opportunity to try out seating in both the Dress Circle and Stalls was a bonus - the stalls have a good view, but personally, I thought the Dress Circle view was even better for this production. There are multiple automatic doors at the entrance, so easy to get in and out.

Toilets

There were accessible toilets available both on the ground floor and upstairs near the Dress Circle. The toilets were very clean, spacious, well-lit, and easy to use — no awkward clutter around the entrance either. It’s clear they’ve put a lot of thought into getting the accessibility right.

Staff

The staff were absolutely outstanding. The person I spoke to on the phone while booking tickets was amazing - she was patient even as I went back and forth with questions, and really seemed to understand accessibility needs without needing everything spelled out. When we arrived, she even recognised me just from my voice (while I was speaking to another staff member) and came over to say hi and check everything was okay. I really wish I had asked her name, because her help made the experience extra special. She was working on the 11th of October 2024 if that helps to identify her. Every other staff member we spoke to was also helpful, approachable, and friendly.

Photos