Our theatre is open to everyone.

We’re working to improve access to our building and our stage programme for audiences and other users. We regularly seek feedback from users and work with specialists and advocacy groups to develop the Hall for Cornwall setup to ensure we’re truly open to all.

In this section you’ll find information to make your visit as smooth and enjoyable as possible. While on our website, you can alter the view settings depending on your needs. Select the access icon on the top right of the screen, labelled ‘Accessibility’ to see a range of options.

This page will cover the following information, if you don’t see what you’re looking for, or have questions, comments, or suggestions, please get in touch with our Box Office team at [email protected] or by calling 01872 262466 Mon from Sat 1pm – 5pm.

Alternatively, pop in during our Opening Hours to ask us in person.

Building Access, Parking and Transport

Wheelchair-Accessible Seating

Facilities

Access Performances

Access Equipment and Aid

Access Companions

Information for Performers and Backstage Crew

 

BUILDING ACCESS, PARKING AND TRANSPORT

Hall for Cornwall was reopened in 2021 after a major transformation project. While planning for redevelopment, we spoke with users and access groups to assist us in removing barriers and opening our doors to as many people as possible. The building was radically redesigned to meet or exceed minimum standards.

Building Access

Sloped and Step-Free Access

There is step-free access to every level of Hall for Cornwall and the Cornwall Playhouse.

Our auditorium, Cornwall Playhouse, has three levels:

Stalls with 635 seats including 11 wheelchair positions, plus 35 standing position

Circle with 294 seats including 2 wheelchair positions, plus 48 rester and standing positions

Balcony with 325 seats and 16 rester positions.

We have an online virtual tour of the auditorium, which you may find useful.

The Stalls (ground) and Circle levels (first floor) of the auditorium are accessible from street level on both sides of the building with the use of ramps or the lift, and there are automatic doors on either side. Additionally, a wide ‘Opeway’ runs behind Stalls seats to allow for access to both sides of the building.

Access to the Balcony level (second floor) is available via the lift on the Lemon Quay side of the building only.

We have lifts available for access to the Circle and Balcony, but please note, if booking for the left side of the Balcony (the Playhouse Bar entrance on Boscawen Street) you will be required to climb stairs to reach your seats.

Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs

Registered assistance dogs are welcome in the Cornwall Playhouse, café, and bar. Please contact our Box Office team on 01872 262466 or email [email protected] if you wish to bring an assistance dog when you visit for a show.

Seat Access

For ease of access into your seat, we have several rows in the Stalls that feature transfer arms. This means that the arm of the seat will move up and out of the way to allow easier access. Please look out for these seats marked on our Seating Plan when booking.

If you are looking for an end seat, we recommend our shorter rows of 4 seats either side of the Stalls (rows H to Q).

The Cornwall Playhouse usually remains closed until the doors open time, allowing our team to conduct safety and technical checks. If you are concerned about getting to your seat, please speak to a member of our lovely Welcome Team on arrival.

While waiting for the show to begin, there is plenty of seating in the Playhouse Bar and Green Room café. If it’s a busy show and you can’t see somewhere to sit, please speak to a member of the Welcome Team who’ll be happy to help.

Parking and Transport

Hall for Cornwall is very close to Truro bus station and taxi services, and about a 15-minute walk downhill from Truro train station. Garras Wharf and Lemon Quay car park are about a 5-minute walk away and both have disabled parking spaces. There is also limited parking near the theatre that can be used with a blue badge, such as on Boscawen Street and Lemon Street.

We recommend the Accessibility page on the Visit Truro website for a detailed look at parking in Truro, or the Disabled Parking Rules’ guidelines on the Cornwall Council website.

If you would like to drop someone off, there are a number of spaces along Boscawen Street on the Playhouse Bar side entrance where blue badge holders can park. For more information on transport and parking options, please see our Visiting Us page.

 

WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE SEATING

Wheelchair Spaces

Previously the theatre had just one row of accessible seating, whereas now we offer 13 designated wheelchair spaces across the Cornwall Playhouse auditorium offering a range of locations, with two spaces available in the Circle. Wheelchair spaces can be booked online, via the Box Office on 01872 262466 or by emailing [email protected].

For smaller, manual wheelchairs, we can recommend any of our wheelchair positions. For wheelchairs with a larger footprint, we recommend booking either Row S or R in the Stalls, or the SB positions in the Circle. If your wheelchair is particularly tall, we recommend row SB in the Circle. We kindly ask that customers with wheelchairs with rear protrusions, such as motors or other equipment, take this into account when placing their booking.

For the full dimensions for the seats we offer, please contact us at [email protected].

 

FACILITIES

Accessible Toilets

We have several accessible toilets, available from the auditorium at both the stalls and Circle level. Every toilet includes an ambulant cubicle.

Plug Sockets

Plug sockets are located around the auditorium and can be used for medical equipment, such as oxygen tanks. If you can’t find a plug socket or are unsure about where to plug something in, please speak to a member of the Welcome Team.

Space to Change

We have a changing space available on the ground floor to enable the personal hygiene needs of individuals who require changing and lifting facilities for their personal care when away from home. The room encompasses a wheelchair-accessible toilet with an adult-sized changing bench and hoist.

ADI RoomMate (audio description) is also available in our Space To Change.

Breakout Space

For select performances, we have a breakout space available. It’s a safe and comfortable space designed for those looking to take a break from the performance. We do our best to provide a live-stream of the show to a TV screen where possible.

The breakout space will often be mentioned in pre-show emails and on social media in the days leading up to the show’s arrival. We’re working to communicate Breakout Spaces options earlier and more widely.

Food and Drink

Interval drinks can be ordered prior to the show and our Front of House team are able to deliver your drinks to your seat upon request. On one side, the Playhouse Bar has a lowered counter side, known as Bar B, for ease.

Please note we are a cashless venue. You may wish to purchase a gift voucher online prior to your visit, which you can spend at our front of house facilities.

 

ACCESS PERFORMANCES

Many of our shows feature accessible performances including British Sign Language Interpreted, Audio Described, Captioned, Relaxed and Chilled performances. For some shows, Touch Tours are on offer, allowing visually impaired customers to understand the set and costumes ahead of experiencing the performance.

British Sign Language / British Sign Language Interpreted Performances

A British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter will stand to one side of the stage and sign the entire script for the benefit of our hard-of-hearing or d/Deaf customers. Our Box Office can advise on the best seats for this, depending on the position of the interpreter.

Captioned Performances

Screens showing captions of the performance script will be available for hard of hearing or d/Deaf customers.

Audio Described Performances

Visually Impaired customers can use a headset to listen to a full description of what is happening on stage, what costumes look like, and what the set looks like. This description is delivered live throughout the show by our Audio Describers. Audio Describe (AD) devices are available on a first-come-first served basis and can be booked via our Box Office.

Relaxed Performances

A relaxed performance is where the ambience of the auditorium and theatre ‘rules’ are relaxed. The performance may also be adapted to support specific needs; for instance, loud noises and music might be turned down. These performances are ideal for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment.

Chilled Performances

A chilled performance takes a casual approach to noise and movement in the auditorium, but the performance itself is unchanged. These performances are ideal for people who feel more at ease knowing they can go in and out of the auditorium during the show. This performance is for everybody and babes in arms are welcome (not walking or requiring their own seat).

Touch Tours

Visually Impaired customers can get up close and personal with the costumes, sets and props before experiencing the Audio Described performance to allow a greater understanding of what is on stage. Tickets for touch tours are free of charge and available for visually impaired customers booked in for the Audio Described performance only.

Familiarisation Visits

If you would like to visit Hall for Cornwall prior to your visit and familiarise your route to your seat and its accessibility, as well as our provisions and staff, please email [email protected].

 

ACCESS EQUIPMENT AND AID

The following access equipment and aids are available upon request. Please get in touch with us and request these ahead of time if you can so we can help you have the smoothest and most enjoyable visit.

-Ear defenders
-Show transcripts (this is show-dependent)
-House wheelchairs
-Assisted listening devices
-ADI RoomMate (audio description in the toilets)
-Assisted listening smartphone system Sennheiser MobileConnect
-Stress balls, fidgets, and other sensory aids

Sennheiser MobileConnect

MobileConnect is a phone application that allows you to connect to the same sound relay we use over Wi-Fi. To connect to our sound relay, you need to have the app downloaded and be connected to our guest wifi. You can then scan the QR code, located either side of the building, to connect to the relay. Please ask a member of staff if you need help setting this up. Once connected, the sound can come through your listening device as usual, such as a Bluetooth hearing aid or headphones.

Download Sennheiser MobileConnect App from Android or Apple store.

Mental Health First Aid

A mental health first aider will be available for most performances. We communicate content advisory notes on our website and on signage pre-show to help you assess whether a show is right for you. If you need any Mental Health First Aid or assistance during your visit please speak to a member of our Welcome Team – we’re here to help.

Audio Brochure

Our brochure is available in audio form for you to listen to, please see our dedicated page here.

 

ACCESS COMPANIONS

We are pleased to offer online booking to all customers, including those with access requirements such as wheelchair users or those who require an access companion to accompany them on their visit.

To unlock online booking for wheelchair and access companion tickets, there are a few quick steps you need to take first. Once our team have set you up on our system, you’ll be able to log in to your online account for all future access bookings.

Please see our page on Booking Access Tickets to get started.

 

INFORMATION FOR PERFORMERS AND BACKSTAGE CREW

We offer two dressing rooms with step-free access to the stage, both with shower and toilet facilities for performers with access requirements.

The technical control room and audio describer room are both wheelchair accessible from the auditorium.

More information will be provided to you by our team ahead of your arrival, but if you have any specific questions or access needs, or would like more information, please contact [email protected].

 

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Have questions, comments, or suggestions? Get in touch with our Box Office team on [email protected] or by calling 01872 262466 Mon from Sat 1pm – 5pm. Alternatively, pop in during our Opening Hours to ask us in person.