The New Wolsey Theatre is for everyone! We strive to be as accessible as possible to all  so that anyone who wants to come and enjoy our diverse programme of events can do so.

We host a range of accessible performances on shows wherever possible. The types of performances we offer are Audio Described, British Sign Language interpreted, Captioned, Relaxed & Dementia Friendly. We also offer Touch Tours ahead of select

Assisting Companion Tickets

Assisting Companion tickets are free of charge to anyone who requires one. Follow these simple steps to set up your account so that our system recognises your requirements and allows for you to have a free assisting companion ticket.

Step 1 – Get logged in to our website – https://www.wolseytheatre.co.uk/your-account/

Step 2 – Go to the tab called ‘Other Preferences’, under the heading Venue Accessibility check the box ‘Require An Assisting Companion’ as well as any other of the options that apply to you and your needs.

Step 3 – Now that you have this preference saved, you can book for your next show and your assisting companion ticket will be free of charge. As long as you have an assisting companion ticket AND one of the access concessions applied (British Sign Language User, Audio Description User, Captioning User or Disabled ticket types)

Audio Description captures the visual elements of a performance that a blind or partially-sighted person might otherwise miss and describes them in clear, vivid language through a pair of headphones.

We also offer free Touch Tours which take place an hour before selected performance.

Haven’t booked an Audio Description ticket with us before? A general guide on how to book our access provisions is provided at the the top of this page but for more details on booking Audio Description specifically, all the details can be found in this video.

View Accessible Performances

Theatre captions are similar to television subtitles and give deaf, deafened or hard-of-hearing audiences access to live performance. In captioning, the words appear on a screen above the stage at the same time as they are sung or spoken by the actors on it. You will also see the name of the character who is speaking and a description of any sound effects.

Haven’t booked a Captioned performance with us before? A general guide on how to book our access provisions is provided at the the top of this page but for more details on booking a Captioned ticket specifically, all the details can be found in this video.

View Accessible Performances

British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances feature a professional interpreter who translates spoken English into British Sign Language. During a BSL Interpreted performance the interpreter stands on or at the side of the stage and the seats we have deemed the best view to see the interpreter are identified by an ‘i’ on the booking page.

Haven’t booked a a BSL performance with us before? A general guide on how to book our access provisions is provided at the the top of this page but for more details on booking BSL tickets specifically, all the details can be found in this video.

View Accessible Performances

A Relaxed and/or Dementia Friendly performance is one that has been carefully adjusted to reduce anxiety or stress for those who might otherwise find the experience unsettling or difficult. For example, changes are made to sound and lighting to eliminate surprise and soften their impact. There is a relaxed attitude to noise and moving around in the auditorium during the performance. These performances may be suitable for audiences with autism, sensory and communication needs, learning and/or physical disabilities, mental health conditions or people living with dementia.

Our Bradbury Platform is installed for these performances, increasing our wheelchair user accessible spaces up to 12.

We are working towards being a Dementia Friendly venue and staff members are Dementia Friends.

Haven’t booked for a Relaxed & Dementia Friendly performance with us before? A general guide on how to book our access provisions is provided at the the top of this page but for more details on booking Relaxed & Dementia Friendly performances specifically, all the details can be found in this video.

View Accessible Performances

For many blind, partially sighted or visually impaired theatregoers, a touch tour is an essential part of the theatre experience. Having access to the stage and set before a performance is a way of firming up the descriptive information they may have already received and provides them with extra detail to allow them to engage with the production. Customers will explore the space, and have the opportunity to handle selected props, costumes and furniture.

Haven’t booked a Touch tour with us before? A general guide on how to book our access provisions is provided at the the top of this page but for more details on booking Touch Tours specifically, all the details can be found in this video.

View Accessible Performances

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.