Access and Facilities at the Sondheim Theatre
Now playing: Les Misérables From £30 Book tickets
There's no lift here. The step-free way to a seat is a side door on Wardour Street, and the foyer and Box Office are at street level.
Access bookings and specific seating needs are handled by the venue's own access team, not by us, and they'll place you properly. They ask access bookers for a Nimbus Disability registration number, which is free to get.
The steps to each level
From the foyer it's 21 steps down to the Stalls, 18 steps up to the Dress Circle and 39 steps up to the Grand Circle, which is steep.
The step-free route
Tell a member of staff at the main entrance when you arrive, and an Access Host will take you round to the fourth side door on Wardour Street. It opens into the Dress Circle at row D, without any steps.
Wheelchair spaces and transfer seats
The Schönberg Loge takes up to two wheelchairs, each with a companion. Chairs up to 1m long and 80cm wide fit through its door, though a very low-seated chair may not. If you can transfer, the aisle seats D2 and D29 in the Dress Circle are set aside for it, with companion seats along the row, and staff will store the chair during the show.
Toilets
There's an adapted toilet off the foyer, along a ramped corridor, and staff have the key. There are toilets on every level.
Hearing and sight
The theatre uses Auracast throughout. Receivers, with headphones or a personal induction loop, are handed out at the cloakroom, and an Auracast-enabled hearing aid can link to the signal directly over Bluetooth. There's also a visual story, a step-by-step guide to a visit, on the theatre's website.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome, and staff will look after your dog during the performance if you ask.
Captioned, signed and audio-described performances
For Les Misérables:
- BSL interpreted: Tuesday 17 November 2026, 7:30pm
- Audio described: Saturday 27 February 2027, 2:30pm, with a touch tour at 12:45pm
- Captioned: no further date listed yet
- Relaxed: none scheduled
Bars and refreshments
There are four bars: in the foyer and on each of the three levels. They sell drinks, snacks and ice creams, but no hot food, and the theatre is cashless. If getting to a bar is difficult, staff can bring your drinks to you.
Bags and the cloakroom
Keep it to one small bag that will go under your seat, as every bag is checked at the door. Coats and small bags can go in the cloakroom for a small fee, but there's no space for suitcases or large bags.
Tips for the night
- Head for the big bar downstairs or the one on the Dress Circle level. Those two have more space, and the Dress Circle bar is our choice.
- Order your interval drink before the show and it will be waiting for you at the break.
- You're welcome to take photos in the auditorium before the show starts. Once it begins, no photos or filming.
- Programmes are on sale before the show, in the interval and afterwards, and the merchandise stand is in the foyer.
Access FAQs
Is the Sondheim Theatre wheelchair accessible?
Yes, through the side door on Wardour Street, which leads without steps to the wheelchair spaces in the Schönberg Loge and the transfer seats in Dress Circle row D. The other levels are reached only by stairs. Accessible tickets are booked through the venue's own access team.
Is there a lift at the Sondheim Theatre?
No. Every level from the foyer is reached by stairs, and the Stalls are down, not level. The Wardour Street door is the way to get to a seat without steps.