Theatre Royal Brighton

The Theatre Royal Brighton is one of the oldest working theatres in the UK, with over 200 years of history and a reputation for hosting high-quality touring productions. As a Grade II* listed building, it retains much of its original character, while still offering a range of accessibility features to support visitors with additional needs.

Access to the venue is step-free via the Box Office entrance on New Road, and the ground floor is fully step-free throughout. The Stalls is the most accessible seating area, with no steps required to reach seats and a gentle incline across the auditorium. There are seven dedicated wheelchair spaces located within the Stalls, along with several aisle seats that feature adjustable armrests for those who wish to transfer from a wheelchair into a theatre seat. Staff are available to assist and can store mobility aids during the performance if required.

There is no lift in the theatre, which means access to upper levels is via stairs only. The Royal Circle requires climbing 21 steps from ground level, with additional steps to reach the bar and seating areas. The Second Circle and Gallery involve significantly more stairs, making them less suitable for guests with limited mobility. For this reason, the Stalls is strongly recommended for step-free access.

An accessible toilet is located on the ground floor within the Stalls bar area, providing convenient, level access for those seated in this section. The Stalls bar itself is also step-free and wheelchair accessible, and an at-seat service is available to reduce the need to move around the venue during busy periods.

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the theatre and can either remain with their owner or be looked after by staff during the performance if arranged in advance.

For visitors with visual impairments, the theatre offers audio described performances and touch tours for selected shows. Seating in rows B to E of the Stalls is generally recommended for a closer and clearer view of the stage.

Guests who are D/deaf or hard of hearing can use the Mobile Connect system, which streams enhanced audio directly to a personal device. This system works throughout the auditorium. For captioned performances, central seats in the Stalls are recommended, while for BSL interpreted performances, specific seating areas in both the Stalls and Royal Circle provide the best view of the interpreter.

While the Theatre Royal Brighton is a historic venue with some structural limitations, the step-free Stalls access, wheelchair spaces, accessible facilities, and inclusive services help ensure a welcoming and enjoyable experience for a wide range of visitors.