Venue Guides

New Wolsey Theatre

Photograph: Mike Kwasniak

New Wolsey Theatre, Civic Drive, Ipswich, IP1 2AS

The foyers and auditorium are accessible from the street without encountering any steps with automated doors at the entrance. Row C and Row K are flat level access (Row K via the passenger lift). For each subsequent row there are two steps. There are six spaces available for wheelchair users in the auditorium, four in Row C and two in Row K. Click here to view seating plans where accessible seating is indicated in yellow.

Guide dogs are welcome throughout the building and, if you prefer, we will happily look after your dog whilst you watch the performance.

The Box Office is located inside the main entrance. It has a low level service. There is one accessible toilet on the ground floor near to the Café Bar and one in the Bar on the first floor. You can pre-order interval drinks to avoid queuing.

There is a Hearing System in the auditorium, this replaces the traditional ‘loop’ that you might expect. You will need a headset to take advantage of the system. Head sets are collected from the Box Office for a returnable deposit of £10.00. You can either choose an in-ear headset that acts as headphones or a personal hearing loop by switching your hearing aid to ‘T’.

Touch Tours for visually impaired audiences are available before Audio Described performances. Touch tours introduce blind and partially sighted visitors to the arrangement of the stage and help participants to engage with the ideas, props and costumes. Please contact the Box Office for information on booking Touch Tours.

The most convenient collection / drop off point for taxis is at the rear of the theatre by the Stage Door. The rear of the theatre is on Chapman Lane accessible via Black Horse Lane. From there the theatre is accessible via a ramp to the side of the building.

For daytime productions the Ipswich Shuttle Bus stops just outside the theatre on Civic Drive. This service runs from 7.00am to 7.00pm. http://www.suffolkonboard.com/buses/bus-timetables-by-area/ipswich-shuttle-bus/

Ipswich Dial-A-Ride Ltd (IDaR) provides wheelchair accessible minibuses- call 08453 479379 between 10.30am and 4.00pm.

For the easiest access we recommend the Pay and Display Car Park accessible from Black Horse Lane, then left to the end of Chapman Lane where there are 5 Blue Badge Parking Bays. Parking charges do apply. The theatre is then accessible via a ramp.

NW2

Photograph: Will Green Photography

NW2, Civic Drive, Ipswich, IP1 2AS

A beautiful and striking space, golden-roofed ‘NW2’ will house the New Wolsey Theatre’s youth and participation activities. The accessible building features a participation space, offices, a meeting room, editing suite and Changing Places facility, making sure everyone feels welcome and included. NW2 is accessible from the street without encountering any steps.