Access and Facilities at the Criterion Theatre

The building is Grade II* listed, entirely below street level, and has no lift. The step-free route is to the Upper Circle, from Jermyn Street.

Access bookings are handled by the venue's own team, not by us, and they're the people to ask about anything on this page.

Getting in and getting to your seat

Step-free access is to the Upper Circle, from the Jermyn Street side rather than the main entrance on Piccadilly Circus. If you are using it, ask for the Jermyn Street entrance rather than the main doors, including when you book a taxi. The wheelchair spaces and the accessible toilet are on that level too, and every seat on it has a clear view, so the accessible seating here is genuinely good seating rather than a compromise.

From the Piccadilly Circus entrances it is 23 steps down to the Upper Circle, 32 down to the Dress Circle and 54 down to the Stalls. The theatre can open its fire-exit stairways from Jermyn Street to any level on request, which does not remove the steps to the Stalls and Dress Circle but reduces them and adds a handrail.

Wheelchair and transfer seating

Row C of the Upper Circle has the wheelchair spaces, shown on the booking plan with a wheelchair symbol. Book two together for a wheelchair user and a companion; for a group of more than two, the venue takes the booking. Transferring is an option too: a seat in row C means at least two steps, rows A and B more, and the theatre stores chairs and scooters close by.

Hearing support

There's an induction loop at the Box Office in the foyer, and a Sennheiser infra-red system that works throughout the auditorium, used either with a hearing aid on the T setting or as an in-ear headset on its own. Ask any of the front-of-house team when you arrive.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome. An end-of-row seat is easiest, and the theatre offers a dog-sitting service during the performance if you'd prefer.

Accessible toilets

There's an accessible toilet on the Upper Circle level and ambulant cubicles on the Dress Circle level.

Captioned, signed and audio-described performances

For Titanique:

• Audio described: Saturday 3 October, 3pm, with VocalEyes
• Captioned: Sunday 18 October, 2:30pm, with the captions shown high on both sides of the stage, best read from the Dress Circle

Nothing further has been announced after 18 October. When there's a signed performance, the interpreter stands on a platform at the front on the right, and seats on the right have the best view.

Bars

There are two bars:

• The Lord Attenborough Bar on the Dress Circle level, which also has the coffee bar and the merchandise kiosk
• The Bourne Bar, by the Stalls entrance

You can pre-order interval drinks either at the bar beforehand or through the click and collect service, which sends a link on the day. Collection is from the cloakroom on the Dress Circle level, and the ordering window closes 45 minutes before the performance starts. Drinks come in reusable glasses, champagne included, and the ice creams are worth the interval queue.

Tips for the night

• Leave time for the stairs. The Stalls are 54 steps down.
• Listen out for the Tube. You can sometimes hear a train rattle past overhead.