Accessibility at the Lyceum

The Lyceum Theatre exists for everyone to enjoy, and as such, we aim to be as accessible as possible at all times.

For the third consecutive year Standard Life are continuing their partnership with the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company to support services for our audience members with special needs and requirements. Their generous support enables us to provide audio-described and signed performances for every production as well as touch tours for the visually impaired.

Information on all productions and the theatre is available on tape, in large print and in Braille. Please contact Jacqui Nagib on 0131 248 4818 or email jnagib@lyceum.org.uk for more information.

Accessible Performances

Details of when these performances take place for each production are in the listing for each of the shows.

Audio-described performances

Situated in the rear Upper Circle is the control booth where two describers can verbalise the onstage action for people with visual impairments, e.g. " She moves slowly towards the table, and picks up the gun".

At the same time as being able to hear the commentary the user can also hear the live play dialogue. The commentary will usually start ten minutes before the performance to enable the user to receive casting information, and scene setting etc. For each of the shows in the Lyceum season, we have two audio-described performances.

If you are visually impaired, simply book one of the two audio-described performances, pick up a headset from the shop on the way in, and our professional team will describe the action to you. These performances are also fully suitable for the sighted.

Touch Tours

There is a touch tour for the visually impaired for each production in the season. Starting at 12.30pm in the Howard Bar it then moves on to the stage where one of the audio describers will take you on a tour of the set. Trained Lyceum staff are available to assist. No ticket is required, just come along!

Signed performances

For those of you with hearing impairment and who can read sign language, we have one BSL sign language performance for every show in the season. Let Box Office know when booking your ticket and we will find the best available seats for you to see the professional signer. The signer appears on stage in the least obtrusive spot and should not distract from the action on the stage.

Access Facilities

Arriving at the Lyceum

Designated blue badge parking spaces within 50m – currently suspecnded due to Usher Hall rebuilding works, but replaced by temporary spaces directly opposite the theatre. There is street level access to the Lyceum foyer and Zucca café and restaurant (restaurant section accessed via Lyceum foyer and lift to 1 st floor)

The Foyer and bars

We have lifts to all levels including the downstairs Howard Bar (with street level emergency exits), and have a permanent Front of House wheelchair for audience use. The main lift has also been upgraded with a new voice synthesiser and infra-red activated doors. For those with hearing impairments we have an induction loop at the box-office. There is an accessible toilet on the foyer level opposite the lift and, nearby, a telephone at low level with induction loop.

Infra-red and radio headsets are available at the foyer shop for hearing enhancement and for use during the audio-described performances. Guide dogs are welcome in the theatre and can accompany their owner into the auditorium or the Front of House staff are happy to look after them during the performance.

The Auditorium

Within the auditorium, is a raised area in the Stalls known as the Stalls Boxes. With space for up to 27 people either in wheelchairs or in one of our removable armchairs, the Stalls Boxes, provide an excellent view of the stage, and are a short distance from the lift from the foyer. (Please note that interval drinks can be pre-ordered at the bar prior to the performance. It may be possible to bring interval drinks to the Stalls Boxes. Please ask a member of the Front of House team).

In the auditorium we have underlit row letters in the floor, tactile row markers and embroidered seat number panels on each chair which are more clearly visible and also tactile. Booster cushions and footstools are also available for your comfort.

On all levels of the theatre we have induction loops permanently on, and an infra-red system for audio-described performances and enhanced hearing. Facing the stage are microphones which pick up all noise coming from the stage as well as audience noise such as clapping. This sound is picked up by the microphones and is converted into an infra-red light signal which is transmitted via infra red radiators towards the audience.

People using the facility wear a headset which picks up the light signal and converts it back into sound. Each headset has a volume switch enabling total control. Headsets are available free of charge from the shop in the foyer.

Please ask any member of the front of house team for assistance with the above services and facilities. For further details, please click here to download our latest access brochure.

Website Accessibility

For information on our website accessibility please visit the Accessibility page

Further useful information

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

Artlink offers an escort service to help people with disability to enjoy the arts. For more information contact them directly at www.artlinkedinburgh.co.uk or 0131 229 3555.