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Supporting your visit to the National Theatre

Supporting your visit to the National Theatre

Arriving at the National Theatre

  • Taxis: The recommended taxi drop-off points for all three theatres are on Stage Door Avenue, which is the private road on the east of the building, between the National Theatre and IBM.
    The points are halfway down for the Dorfman Theatre, and next to Stage Door for the Olivier and Lyttelton theatres, followed by a walk around to the front of the building.

 

  • Cars: There is a car park beneath the National Theatre and the entrance ramp is located on the south-west corner of the building, on Upper Ground.
    Our car park has wheelchair and lift access during National Theatre opening hours (see Your visit for opening hours). There are spaces for blue badge holders.

 

  • The main entrance to the National Theatre is on the river side of the building and has automatic sliding glass doors.
    It is the entrance for the Olivier Theatre and Lyttelton Theatre, and also the main Box Office, Bookshop, Kitchen restaurant, ground floor bar and spacious foyer facilities.
    There are four lifts that give access to the Olivier Stalls and Circle, and the car park.
    In the Lyttelton Stalls foyer (on the ground floor) there is a glass lift giving access to the Lyttelton Circle and the Terrace Cafe
    All other entrances have wide, glass swing doors.

 

  • The entrance into the Dorfman Theatre is via ramp access, off Stage Door Avenue, and has button-operated swing glass doors.
    The foyer has a cafe, performance Box Office and provides step free access to the Dorfman Circle, and lift access to the Dorfman Gallery.

 

  • Floor surfaces: The floor in the main entrance foyer is a combination of carpets, granite and a hard brick surface by the four main lifts.
    House, the Terrace Bar and Olivier Café have hardwood floors. The rest of the building is carpeted, with the cloakrooms, and bars edged with granite paving.
    The Dorfman Theatre flooring is a combination of wood in the foyers and carpet in the theatre.
  • Accessible toilets are available in the Understudy bar, Kitchen cafe and the main building - staff can point you in the right direction.

Access Facilities

  • Relaxed performances offer a relaxed performance environment, allowing for noise and movement in the auditorium, a chill-out space for patrons who may need time away from the performance, and re-entry when needed, they are aimed at anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed performance environment including people with an autistic spectrum condition, sensory or communication disorders, or a learning disability.
  • Sensory adapted performances provide a relaxed performance environment that also includes technical changes to the production, such as adjustments to light and sound effects, for those with sensory sensitivities.
  • Large Print cast lists for all productions.
  • Infra-red audio head sets and personal neck loops available.
  • Hearing loop in Olivier and Lytleton Auditorium for anyone using a hearing aid
  • Script-lending service.
  • Assistance dogs are welcome and can be taken into the auditoriums.
  • Contego wireless audio amplification available for partially hearing people for Backstage Tours.

For more information about these facilities and services:
Call 020 7452 3961 or email [email protected]

Wheelchair Loan

If you'd like to borrow a wheelchair for access to your theatre seat, please phone 020 7452 3961 or email [email protected] in advance of your visit.

Hearing enhancement & headsets

  • An audio induction loop is available in the Olivier and Lyttelton theatres for anyone using a hearing aid. Simply switch your hearing aid to the T setting.
  • An infrared audio system is also available in all theatres for use if you don’t wear a hearing aid. Headsets should be booked in advance by contacting the Box Office on 020 7452 3961

Guide Dogs

If you'd like to bring your guide dog into the auditorium, let us know when you book yor ticket. We can offer you an aisle seat, and let you know about any special effects that might affect your dog. Alternatively, you can leave your guide dog with our front-of-house staff.

Hearing dogs for the deaf

Let us know if you're bringing an assistance dog when you book your ticket. We can offer you an aisle seat, and let you know about any special effects that might affect your dog. Alternatively, you can leave your dog with our front-of-house staff.