A view from the Bridge at Royal Theatre Haymarket
Booking
Booking was made via the dedicated access ticket phone line. There is not an online booking facility for wheelchair spaces. Tickets need to be collected from the box office which is fine with a companion but the box office is inaccessible to wheelchairs so if you are accessing the theatre alone you would have to request assistance.
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There is no free essential carer ticket however the total ticket costs are better than half price.
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Access Ticket £25
Essential Carer Ticket £25
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Theatre Location
Great Location minutes from Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square.
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Lots of accessible restaurants with pre theatre menus although booking in advance is recommended as it gets very busy.
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We particularly like Sophie's Steakhouse and Brummus.
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Theatre Access
Access to the theatre is via a side door. You are not able to access the lobby due to steps.
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We were seated in the stalls and my carer accessed the bar at the interval. This took a bit of time as it is quite a distance from the stalls. There was no option to order at the seat or have drinks delivered.
Access Host
The access host service we received was not as great as our first visit. We were waiting outside the front for quite awhile in front of a security/ticket attendant. They saw us but made no attempt to assist. After a while we asked for help and he said we had to go and get assistance from inside. My carer had already been inside to get the tickets so the box office were aware we had arrived. When we asked where to get assistance he was a little grumpy and said he would do it.
The access host arrived and showed us to our seats. I had to ask fro the wooden wedge which did not offer so just remember there should be a stabilising wedge. He was very polite and informed us where the toilets were but we didn't see him again.
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Previously the access host had checked in at the ending helped us leave but this was not the case on this visit. Other theatre users helped us exit instead.
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Seat and Staging
We sat in X3 and X4 again.
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The wheelchair space (X4) was the same as last time, it looked like they had removed two seats so it was spacious. I could stay in my chair but it was sloped downwards so I required a wooden wedge. I was not obstructing anyone else's view as the seat is on the back row.
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The carer seat was again not the best. This time the family in front were talking and moving constantly throughout the show. This meant mty carer was almost constantly moving in an attempt to find a gap through their heads. As she is shorter being on the back row is more problematic for her. I was not aware of any other seats where I can remain in my wheelchair so this is the only option for her unless I transfer.
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Toilets
The toilets were located on the other side of the theatre to our seats but we accessed them at the interval of the show.
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The toilet was a large size but is accessed via a narrow corridor which can fit a power chair face on and was large enough to turn around in or transfer from a side on position.
I visited in July 2024 and all views expressed above are my personal opinion.
It was my second visit to Theatre Royal Haymarket