So is the Arts Theatre accessible for a wheelchair user with MS? Read on to find out…
When we knew we were going down to London, (again), for Uni visits, (again), and with my new found ‘evangelism’ for musicals, a 2 night stop meant 2 musicals.
As Sprog No.1 wasn’t coming this time, (hurray for the cost-saving; you all know I can be ‘tight’ when it comes to paying over too much coin), it was Sprog No.2’s choice of musicals.
Her choices were, Waitress – OK I’d kind of heard of that – and SIX…OKaaaaay…WTF!
SIX
This is not verbatim but the conversation went something like this:
Me: Run that last one past me again.
Sprog No.2: Well it’s about Henry VIII’s ‘six’ wives [blank, slightly incredulous look from me]. You know the rhyme “Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, Survived”
Me: Yes…but you hate history…you didn’t even take it as a GCSE option.
Sprog No.2: But the show’s amazing. The soundtrack is really good and the videos on YouTube are…
Me: OK…[searching for a sensible reason to choose another show that I’ve heard of] Where’s it playing?
Sprog No.2: The Arts Theatre.
Me: [I’ve got her now] Where? I’ve never even heard of that. Is it in the West End? [we had an Arts Theatre at my High School and I can’t get past that as an image – she wants me to pay for tickets for a show in…an arts theatre from my comprehensive High School. Not bloody likely]
Sprog No.2: I’m pretty sure it’s in the West End
Me: OK. Leave it with me.
Has anyone got a slice of Humble Pie?
A spot of Googling later and The Arts Theatre is a West End theatre…and the reviews of the show were good…to say the least. Well. Good…to say the least, is an enormous understatement.
The show is amazingly different. I feel more like I have been to a gig than a theatre. And a ‘girl band’ gig…WHAT!
But one where they can all sing…in tune…in time…and bloody hell, CAN they sing. And the band – again all girls – bloody hell, CAN they play. And the script is sooooo good. Witty and sassy. No wonder SIX is being touted as “…the best the West End has to offer” by The Telegraph.
All I can really say is…go and see SIX…you won’t be disappointed.
It’s sooooo good that the SIX soundtrack has kicked Hamilton to the number 3 spot on my Spotify playlist – something that Sprog No.2 can’t quite believe.
Hold on. What’s at number 2? Hamilton? No, it’s the Waitress soundtrack…and…my conversion is complete.
But what about the reason for this review?
How accessible is the Arts Theatre for a wheelchair user?
How easy was it to book accessible tickets?
An absolute doddle…once I’d found the Arts Theatre’s accessibility page. I’ve attached a link https://artstheatrewestend.co.uk/buy-tickets/ticket-booking-information/
I’ve also attached a link to a site that I’ve just found https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/london-theatre-accessibility This is an AMAZINGLY USEFUL link. If you’re planning a trip to the West End and need to know about access, where the accessible seats are, how you access them and the venue’s accessible features – think toilets – you need this link. Thank you @theatre_direct
I spoke to someone amazingly helpful in the box office. The show was a sell out…but there was availability for a wheelchair seat+carer. God bless you wheelchair. Lisa had to go on the ‘reserve’ list for a ticket…but they phoned me on the morning of the show with a ticket that had become available…wave bye-bye to a night of room service and curling up with a book.
Does the Arts Theatre have separate wheelchair access?
They do indeed. My seat was in the circle. I’m thinking “keep an open mind…the circle…how’s that going to work then”. I was busy zooming around London on my Batec – have I told you about my Batec https://batec-mobility.com/en/products/handbikes/batec-mini-en – with too little time to see so much. So, having a look at the theatre beforehand was never going to happen…
So, we turn up on the night, too ‘close to the knuckle’ for the start of the show, if I’m honest. And, we turn the corner and The Arts Theatre is in fron of me. WTF! This theatre is small. How’s this going to work out?
Well, have faith.
The circle accessible seating has its own access. On the picture below, look at the bottom left-hand corner. See the blue circle in the white square, (immediately above the head of the smallest ‘Russian doll’ tourist). This leads to a gently sloping access corridor that opens out into the circle and the accessible seating. For access, I’m helped by theatre staff all the way.
Accessible bathroom?
This was straight behind my accessible seat. I used it, so it ‘worked’ but I forgot to take a picture. Sorry.
Where was our accessible seat?
It was right at the side of the Sound Desk, (again…is this a theatre trend?) But the view was good and the sound was great.
Final thoughts…is the Arts Theatre accessible?
Yes, yes & yes.
But my final shout out goes to the Assistant Stage Manager, @ArtsTheatreLDN. She stayed with me all the time that Lisa and Sprog No.2 went to the Stage Door. And she told me loads about the show that I’d never have got from any program. Thanks ASM. You were great. Above and beyond…
Bye for now. David
