ABOUT King's THEATRE

Access

The King's and Festival Theatres aim to be accessible to all and we are committed to making your visit to our theatres as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. All of our Front of House staff undergo disability awareness training and will be pleased to assist you should you require any information or help. If you need any further information, wish to make any comments or suggestions, or would like to let us know how we can help you in any way, please feel free to contact our Front of House Duty Manager on 0131 662 1112.

For an independent assessment of our access facilities, please visit www.disabledgo.info. Disabled Go provides free detailed access information for disabled people across the UK.

This website has been created with Accessibility in mind. Please click here to view more details.

Arriving at the King's Theatre

If you are arriving by car, please note that Leven Street and Home Street are Greenways and are controlled by police. There is limited single yellow line parking in Tarvit Street approximately 30 metres away.

Access from the road to the front of the theatre is up three steps and level access is available through the Box Office entrance at the right hand side of the building. Wheelchair access is at the side of the theatre - please notify our Front of House or Box Office staff if you wish to gain entry.

Please note that there is no lift in the King's Theatre.

At The Box Office

The Box Office is situated on the right hand side of the foyer in the King's, accessed via Leven Street. Tickets can also be booked by calling 0131 529 6000, online or by using Text relay on 18001 0131 529 6003. If you have any specific seating requirements please let the box office know when you book your tickets.

Wheelchair users

There are four spaces at the rear stalls for wheelchair users, with adjacent seats for companions. Please let the Box Office know your requirements at the time of booking.

Accessible Toilets

There is a unisex accessible, adapted toilet on the stalls level of the theatre.

Refreshments

The King's has Bars on all levels but they are only accessible by stairs. However, our theatre staff will be pleased to bring refreshments to those who require assistance. If you need assistance in getting refreshments, please speak to a member of Front of House staff before the performance starts.

Assistance with hearing

The King's has a Sennheiser infrared system covering all areas of the auditorium. Headsets can be collected from the programme box in the foyer of the King's Theatre.

A Sennheiser personal loop system is available for hearing aid users. Adapters should be collected from the programme box in the foyer of the King's Theatre. Please note that at some performances, audio equipment is / headsets and adapters are in high demand but we will do all we can to accommodate your needs.

Guide dogs and Hearing Dogs

are welcome and we will be pleased to look after them during the performance if required. Water bowls are available.

Festival City Theatres Trust strives to make all performances as fully accessible as possible. In order to achieve these aims, we offer Audio Described performances, Touch Tours, Captioned performances and British Sign Language interpretation.

Accessible Performances

Audio description

Many productions are audio described for visually impaired theatregoers via headsets, which can be collected from the cloakroom. Staff will be on hand to offer advice on how to operate the headsets. We broadcast a simultaneous commentary describing the action, the sets and set changes, the costumes and the characters. We recommend that patrons be seated 15 minutes before the performance begins in order to hear the introduction to the performance. The introduction notes include a synopsis of the plot and an aural equivalent to the printed performance programme, with background information and details of the cast and production team.

Prior to the audio described performance there will be a Touch Tour of the set, costumes and props. The Touch Tour will be usually commence 60 minutes before the performance begins. Those wishing to attend the Touch Tour should reserve a place when booking tickets for the performance (please note that spaces are limited). The Touch Tour will start from the Box Office foyer of the King's Theatre, where the Audio Description usher will take you on your tour. Touch Tour schedules are subject to technical and cast requirements and stage availability.

BSL - British Sign Language Interpreted

BSL performances allow our hearing impaired patrons to enjoy their visit to the theatres, with many productions being interpreted. Look out for the BSL symbol on show information pages.  Our experienced signers normally stand on the right hand side of the stage, so viewing is best from middle left stalls. Our staff are all fully trained in disability awareness and customer care and will be on hand to help and assist if required. Please mention that you would like to use the BSL interpretation service when booking your tickets so the Box Office staff can ensure that you are seated in the best possible area.

Captioning

- delivers open captioned performances. Captioning is a way of converting the spoken word into visible text that provides people with a hearing loss access to live performance. Captions are shown on a raised display unit near the stage and are delivered live by a trained captioner. As the captions roll, audience members can follow what is being said, when it is being said and by whom. Sound effects and off-stage noises are also included.

Please check the production pages of our brochure or our website for details of which shows will be described, interpreted or captioned (indicated by the above logos), or ask our box office staff when booking.

After the show

Our Front of House staff will be happy to order a taxi after the performance for those with mobility issues.

Artlink (Edinburgh and the Lothians) provide a volunteer companion service for people who have difficulty in attending performances. For details please telephone 0131 229 3555 (Mon - Fri).

Braille, audio and large text versions of our brochure are available. Please contact the marketing department on 0131 662 1112 or email mailto:marketing@eft.co.uk%20 to be added to the mailing list. With thanks to VIMAC and Lothian Sound.