Access Performances

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience live theatre. We are striving to make our theatre as accessible as possible and recognise that not all disabilities are visible.

If you have any access needs, please get in touch via email on [email protected], or by phone on 01392 72 63 63 and we’ll gladly assist.

You can find a full list of upcoming access performances at the bottom of this page.

Audio Description

Audio description is a live verbal commentary on the visual elements of a production as it unfolds, such as actions, characters, costumes and sets. An audio describer delivers this information between the dialogue of a performance and anyone can listen to it via a headset. Audio-described performances also often include pre-show touch tours of the set.

Watch or listen to Audio Describer Harriet Godfrey talk about her role, what audiences can expect and why audio description is important.

Audio described performance icon

Touch Tours

In Conversation: Audio Description at the Northcott

Watch or listen to our Sales and Ticketing Manager and Audio Describer Guy Newman talk to audio description user Marylyn Lant about her experiences at our theatre over the past four decades.

 

 

British Sign Language Interpreted Performance

A British Sign Language performance is a show that’s interpreted into British Sign Language (BSL) by a qualified interpreter. The interpreter is positioned to one side of the stage or integrated as a character into the performance. Using their hands, facial expressions and body language, they help convey all the emotions and subtleties of what’s happening on stage.

We make sure to reserve the best seats with the clearest view of the interpreter for anyone who needs this service.

Watch or listen to Complete Communication‘s Managing Director and BSL-Interpreter Daryl McMullan explain how BSL-interpretation works at our theatre.

Sign language interpretation performance icon

Captioned Performance

If you attend a captioned performance, you’ll be able to read captions either on a screen or on your own device. These captions give you a written version of spoken dialogue (speech), as well as other sounds and musical cues. Captions are particularly helpful for people with hearing impairments or those who many have difficulty understanding accents, dialects, or fast-paced dialogue.

Captioned performance icon

Production shot from Extraordinary Bodies’ Human (2022). © Ali Wright.

Relaxed Performance

Relaxed performances are a lot more casual than a regular theatre performance:

• Our house lights (which illuminate our auditorium seating area) may be dimmed, but not completely darkened, to allow you to see and move around more easily.

• The performance will be tailored to accommodate those who may be sensitive to sound or lighting. The volume of the performance may be lower than usual, and there may be no sudden loud noises or flashing lights.

• Performers will have a more relaxed attitude to audience behaviour. There is no expectation for audience members to remain silent or still during the performance.

• You are welcome to leave the auditorium and re-enter as needed.

Relaxed performance icon

Hearing Loop System

Our Box Office and auditorium have an accessible hearing system, which transmits audio to hearing aids or specially provided headphones (which can be collected from the Box Office). The system can also be accessed via the Sennheiser MobileConnect app, which is available on both iOS and Android devices.

Hearing System icon

Upcoming Access Performances

The Mousetrap promo image. Eight characters stand in a triangle formation, looking intently at the camera. A moustachioed man with crossed arms and a deeply-furrowed brow. A woman with slicked-back hair and a masculine suit, hands tucked behind her back. A woman in a peacock blue shirt-dress with her hands on her hips. A suited young man gesturing with a pen and holding a notebook. A man in a black felt hat looking concerned. A man in a silk cravat with a raised eyebrow. A man in a colourful knitted vest and bowtie, hands in pockets. A severe-looking woman in a beige overcoat pursing her lips.
The Mousetrap – 70th Anniversary Tour
Tue 16 Apr 2024 – Sat 20 Apr 2024
Northcott Theatre
Take a look Book Tickets

Houdini’s Greatest Escape artwork: An illustration that shows the top of a crystal ball, within which we see Houdini (a white man wearing a grey suit) with his hands in cuffs, looking surprised. Surrounding him are disembodied hands holding a variety of objects: a fake gun shotting a flag that reads ‘bang!’, a key, a set of playing cards, a safe, an elephant and a goldfish in a bowl. A woman’s face peers over the crystal ball, only her eyes visible.
Houdini’s Greatest Escape
Tue 14 May 2024 – Thu 16 May 2024
Northcott Theatre
Take a look Book Tickets
Dragons and Mythical Beasts artwork – blue background. The head of a large, orange dragon with sharp teeth and long horns smiles down at a small phoenix. Gold calligraphy reads: ‘Dragons and mythical beasts’. The ‘s’ in the word ‘dragons’ snakes continues and wraps around the bottom of the word ‘dragons’ in the shape of a Chinese dragon.
Dragons & Mythical Beasts
Tue 28 May 2024 – Thu 30 May 2024
Northcott Theatre
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Unfortunate artwork: Shawna Hamic dressed as Ursula the Sea Witch – purple skin, short white hair, dramatic blue/black eye makeup, red lipstick, black bustier, gleaming shell necklace. She is looking up and laughing. Tentacles coil around her. The background is purple and bubbly. Text reads: 'Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch - The Musical Parody'. Review quotes read: 5 stars, ‘Unstoppable, mesmerising genius’ Broadway Baby; 5 stars, ‘Laugh out loud funny’ Manchester Evening News.
Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch
Tue 04 Jun 2024 – Sat 08 Jun 2024
Northcott Theatre
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More Information You May Find Useful

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