During an Audio Described performance, patrons can receive a live verbal commentary of the visual elements of the production via a headset.
To book seats in the best positioning for sound amplification, look for the AD icon on the seating plan. You need to be an Access Member and logged in to your account to see these seating recommendations. Find out more about Access Membership
There is an optional Touch Tour available before each in-person Audio Described performance. Touch Tours are hosted by our audio describers and offer audiences the opportunity to explore the set, touch props and costumes. On occasion, the cast are able to join the Touch Tours to introduce their characters.
Bookings for Touch Tours can now be made online — you can book your space once you have added your tickets to your basket. Alternatively, you can book for the performance and Touch Tours via the Box Office — please call 0344 871 7628 or contact us by email on box.office@oldvictheatre.com
Audio and text introductory notes are shared with patrons via email ahead of the performance. These notes include descriptions of the characters, set, costumes and any important contextual information.
We offer two types of hearing device: headsets for people without hearing aids but who would like amplified sound, or neck loops for use with a hearing aid by switching it to the ‘T’ setting. If you require a headset, please email box.office@oldvictheatre.com or call 0344 871 7628 so we can make sure a headset is available for you to collect from the cloakroom in the main foyer upon arrival. A refundable deposit of £5 is payable on collection.
Audio Description is also available at all of our Relaxed performances.
If you are attending an Audio Described performance and do not require audio description, your experience of the show will not be impacted.
Watch one of our Audio Describers talking about our touch tours
A British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter is present during all BSL performances, interpreting everything that is spoken or sung on stage.
To book seats in the best view of the interpreter, look for the BSL icon on the seating plan. You need to be an Access Member and logged in to your account to see these seating recommendations. Find out more about Access Membership.
The interpreter will be lit throughout the performance and their exact location will be specified in your pre-visit email.
British Sign Language interpretation is also available at our Relaxed performances.
If you are attending a BSL Interpreted performance and do not require interpretation, your experience of the show will not be impacted.
At Captioned performances, digital screens display everything spoken or sung during the show as text. The captions appear in time with the action on stage and include descriptions of sound effects and music.
To book seats in the best view of the caption units, look for the caption icon on the seating plan. You need to be an Access Member and logged in to your account to see these seating recommendations. Find out more about Access Membership.
The location of the caption unit may change due to production requirements. If your booking is affected and you need to be moved into different seats with the best view, our Box Office team will be in touch. The confirmed location of the caption units will be specified in your pre-visit email.
Captioning is also available at our Relaxed performances.
If you are attending a Captioned performance and do not require captioning, your experience of the show will not be impacted.
Relaxed performances are specially adapted for those who benefit from a more relaxed environment whilst in the theatre. Our Relaxed performances are also Audio Described, British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreted and Captioned.
What is a Relaxed performance?
- You can make noise during the show
- You can come and go from the auditorium as you please. Our Front of House team will be on hand to direct you to our break-out spaces, where you can watch the performance on our foyer monitor until you feel ready to return to your seat.
- If you’d like a break from the show, there will be several chill out areas in the foyer
- There will be ambient lighting in the auditorium throughout the performance
- Babes in arms (under 18 months) are permitted at Relaxed performances.*
*Babes in arms tickets can now be booked online — once you have selected your seats, you will have the option to add a complimentary ticket to your basket if you will be bringing a child under the age of 18 months with you.
Alternatively, babes in arms tickets can be booked via the Box Office — please call 0344 871 7628 or contact us by email on box.office@oldvictheatre.com.
Babes in arms (under 18 months) are permitted at Relaxed performances. Babes in arms tickets can now be booked online — once you have selected your seats, you will have the option to add a complimentary ticket to your basket if you will be bringing a child under the age of 18 months with you.
Alternatively, babes in arms tickets can be booked via the Box Office — please call 0344 871 7628 or contact us by email on box.office@oldvictheatre.com
Our rate for Access Members is £23.50–£26.50 for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and A Christmas Carol.
A companion ticket is the same price.
Sign up to be an Access Member to book online. Let us know if you require a particular seat.
Alternatively, please contact 0344 871 7628 or email access@oldvictheatre.com. To ensure the best choice of seats, we advise you to book in advance.
Tickets can be booked online, via our Access Membership . Alternatively, you can use Text Relay which is a free service (you only pay for the cost of the call to the venue) on 18001 0344 871 7628 (text phone users). For further details please log onto Text Relay.
The auditorium is fitted with a Sennheiser Infrared System. Two types of hearing device are available: headsets for people who don’t use hearing aids but would like amplified sound; or neck loops for use with a hearing aid by switching it to the ‘T’ setting. If you have a digital hearing aid, please ensure that the ‘T’ setting is available.
If you require a headset, please email box.office@oldvictheatre.com or call 0344 871 7628 so we can make sure a headset is available for you to collect from the cloakroom in the main foyer upon arrival. A refundable deposit of £5 is payable on collection.
For the best reception, the central Stalls are generally the most suitable area. However, please contact the Box Office when booking if you’d like to make use of the system, so we can advise on where best to sit based on your individual needs.
In the Penny bar and cafe on the basement level there are two toilet blocks. A toilet block of eleven cubicles only which includes one baby change and one ambulant toilet; and a separate toilet block of seven urinals with two cubicles, one of which is an ambulant toilet. There is also a separate wheelchair accessible toilet and a separate gender neutral toilet with an enclosed sink.
On the Baylis Circle level on the 3rd floor there are two toilet blocks. A toilet block of twelve cubicles only which includes one baby change and one ambulant toilet; and a separate toilet block of eight urinals, with one cubicle that is also a baby change.
There is another wheelchair accessible toilet within the auditorium itself available for those seeing a show.
We have two entrances: one is on The Cut, running directly in front of the theatre and the other is on Waterloo Road. The Waterloo Road entrance is wheelchair accessible with lift access to the Box Office, the inner foyer and Penny bar and cafe on the basement level.
The Stalls are wheelchair accessible via the inner foyer, by entering the auditorium through the step-free central aisle. You can view our Visual Story to find out more about how to navigate around our Front of House spaces and auditorium.
To book wheelchair spaces and step-free seating, look for the corresponding wheelchair and step-free icons on the seating plan. You need to be an Access Member and logged in to your account to see these seating recommendations. Find out more about Access Membership.
Alternatively, tickets can be booked via the Box Office — please call 0344 871 7628 or contact us by email on box.office@oldvictheatre.com.
Stalls
Approximately 47cm from the edge of the seat to the back of the row in front (leg room). Seat width is 43cm arm rest to arm rest.
Dress Circle and Baylis Circle
Leg room ranges from 20cm–35cm. Seat width is 43cm arm rest to arm rest.
You can contact us by email access@oldvictheatre.com or call 0344 871 7628.
