Case study: The Court Theatre

20 May 2010
Given that The Court Theatre is housed in a heritage building, you might think that the barriers and challenges would be huge. But The Court Theatre is an accessible theatre.

There are hearing loops in both spaces, special stage access procedures for patrons, wheelchair-allocated seating, and staff trained in the best ways to assist patrons. If a patron is mobility or sight impaired, they do not need to change levels during their visit to the theatre. Every facility is accessible on one level – from toilets to their seats.

The theatre has a successful accessibility plan in place, called the Stage Access system. When a patron makes a booking, the box office staff member is able to offer them a Stage Access pass. This involves patrons arriving at the theatre twenty minutes before the performance and being escorted to their seats by the stage manager. Stage managers escort mobility and sight-impaired patrons through the backstage area, via the stage, to their allocated seats with the only level change being via a slight incline that is wheelchair-friendly. Many patrons know that this facility exists and ask for it when booking. Read more about The Court Theatre and its access.