Access and Facilities at the Fortune Theatre

The step-free route here is a platform lift from the side entrance on Crown Court up to the Dress Circle, where the wheelchair space is. The Stalls and the Upper Circle are stairs only.

Access bookings are handled by the venue, not by us.

Getting in and getting to your seat

The front entrance on Russell Street is level with the pavement, with the Box Office on the right. For the lift, ask at the front: staff will walk you round to the Crown Court side entrance.

The lift at a glance:

• It rises the six steps from the side entrance to the Dress Circle.
• You ride it seated. There's a fold-down seat if you walk but find stairs hard.
• Mobility scooters and larger electric wheelchairs won't fit, and there are size and weight limits.
• Chair too big? Transfer into one of the theatre's wheelchairs, and yours goes up separately.

If you're unsure about your chair, check with the venue before booking.

Steps to each level, from the foyer, all with handrails:

• Stalls: 21 steps down
• Dress Circle: 7 steps up to the back row, then 2 steps down between each row towards the front
• Upper Circle: 40 or more steps up

Wheelchair and transfer seating

There's one space for a wheelchair user staying in their chair: Dress Circle F16, right next to where the lift comes out. If you'd rather transfer to a theatre seat, F6 and F7 are the easiest, as they're level with the back of the auditorium. If you can manage a few steps, the theatre suggests Dress Circle F4 and F5, or G5 and G6. The theatre will store a wheelchair or scooter for you during the show.

Neither Box takes a wheelchair. Box A is up 5 steps and through a narrow doorway, so it suits someone who can move to a chair unaided.

Accessible toilet

There's one, on the ground floor at the foot of the steps up to the Dress Circle, next to the lift.

Hearing and sight

The whole auditorium is covered by a hearing system, and front-of-house staff will get you set up when you arrive.

Audio-described, captioned and signed performances are scheduled show by show, and the dates are on the show's own page. For partially sighted visitors, seats are set aside at Stalls C6 and C7, though they can change with the show.

A Visual Story, to help anyone who'd like to know what to expect before a first visit, is available from the Box Office.

Assistance dogs

For Operation Mincemeat, assistance dogs aren't allowed in the auditorium because of the loud sound effects, and staff are happy to look after your dog during the performance. The show also has flashing lights, strobe, haze, sirens and loud music.

Bars and drinks

There are two bars, one in the Stalls and one upstairs, above the Dress Circle, and a kiosk for drinks and snacks at the back of the Stalls. They open when the building does, 90 minutes before the show. The bars are small, so the easiest way to get a drink is to order it to your seat, before the show or for the interval: scan a QR code in the theatre or order online on the day. It's also the way to get a drink without any stairs.

Toilets

The toilets here are small, and there aren't many of them.

• Stalls: Ladies and Gents; the Ladies have two cubicles
• Dress Circle: gender-neutral toilets, and the accessible toilet beside the lift
• Upper Circle: toilets on this level too

Go at the start of the interval rather than the end.

Bags and coats

Bring a small bag. There may be bag checks at the door, and suitcases, rucksacks and large bags aren't allowed in. The cloakroom in the Stalls bar is very limited and won't take a suitcase.

Tips for the night

• Order your interval drinks before the show.
• If you're in the Stalls, the kiosk at the back is quicker than the bar.
• There's air conditioning, but the theatre does get hot, so wear layers you can take off.