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Access

We’re committed to making our work accessible to ensure that everyone can enjoy a high-quality theatre experience. This page has useful information about our upcoming performances, services, and partner venues to help plan your visit.

At Opera North, we believe that accessibility benefits everyone. We’re passionate about making our work accessible to ensure that everyone is supported to enjoy a high-quality theatre experience, and we are committed to constantly evaluating the work we do.

On this page, you can find some useful information about our upcoming performances, services, and partner venues to help you plan your visit.

Access Membership Scheme

If you have any access requirements, you can sign up for our Access Membership Scheme to make your booking experience smoother. Members can book online for Opera North performances in Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds Town Hall and the Howard Assembly Room with any associated discounts, including free essential companion tickets. The information you supply will help us to find you appropriate seats quickly and easily over the phone or in person, and keep you updated on all things access-related at Opera North if you choose.

Download the application form as a Word Doc and as a PDF. If you require any additional support in completing your application, please get in touch using the details above. If completing the application in writing is not accessible to you, we are happy to arrange a phone or video call with a member of our team to record your details verbally.

Accessible formats

Audio introductions

We provide audio introductions for our accessible performances. These describe the set and costumes, the story, and list the cast, creative teams, dates and venues of performances. They are available on the production page usually two working days after the opening night. We also provide audio flyers for each of our productions.

Large print

We provide large print cast lists, which you can access by contacting our friendly Box Office team. We are working on providing large print programmes, and we thank you for your patience while we are doing this. If you require any more information, brochures or documents in alternative formats such as audio or braille, please contact access@operanorth.co.uk

Accessible performances

We offer audio-described, signed, captioned and relaxed performances, and a touch tour before all audio-described performances. All our performances have English surtitles.

Click on the icons below to see a list of upcoming dates and venues.

Audio-described performances

Audio-described performances

Visitors can borrow a headset to hear a live description of what’s happening visually on the stage as it happens.

Signed performances

Signed performances

A British Sign Language interpreter signs the production.

Captioned performances

Captioned performances

All dialogue, sound effects, and names of who’s singing or speaking are displayed on screens either side of the stage.

Relaxed performances

Relaxed performances

There is a completely relaxed attitude towards any spontaneous noise, people needing to move around, or reacting to what they see or hear on stage.

Dementia Friendly performances

Please note that, while we don’t currently offer specific dementia-friendly performances, our relaxed performances are a great alternative.

Everyone is welcome to attend a relaxed performance, where there is a completely relaxed attitude towards any spontaneous noise, people needing to move around, or reacting to what they see or hear on stage.

Staff will have received Dementia Friend training and will be more than happy to support you with anything you need on the day, but please contact our friendly Box Office if you have any questions beforehand.

Venue information

Check out Leeds Grand Theatre virtual accessibility tour.

Download a printable version of the following information as a Word Doc or PDF.

  • When entering the Leeds Grand Theatre are six steps from the street up to the foyer, or a wheelchair lift from the Leeds Grand Theatre Box Office to the foyer.
  • Lift access is available to the rest of the auditorium, excluding the Upper Balcony.
  • Some areas of the auditorium do have steep stairs and may not be suitable for people with limited mobility. Please contact our Box Office for details at boxoffice@operanorth.co.uk or on 0113 223 3600.
  • There are 10 wheelchair spaces: 6 in the Stalls and 4 in the Dress Circle.
  • Accessible toilets are available at Stalls and Dress Circle levels. The accessible toilet at Stalls (ground) level is down the corridor to the right as you enter the foyer, just beyond the lift.
  • There is an infra-red system in operation for sound amplification. Headsets are available from the Grand Theatre foyer for a £5 refundable deposit. Please ask Box Office staff when booking for advice on the best seats to use this service
  • Support dogs are welcome in the auditorium and can be looked after on request
  • For refreshments, there are bars at Stalls, Upper Circle and Balcony levels. Food and drink is not permitted in the auditorium, except for small bottles of water. If you have medicines, food or drink to manage a medical condition, please let us know in advance so we can inform Front of House staff.
  • The venue is open one hour before performances, and you will need to show your ticket on entry to the foyer. There may be bag checks, and you could be asked to leave very large bags in the cloak room, at a cost of £1. This is situated up the first flight of stairs on your right as you enter the dress circle, or Floor 1 in the lift.
  • Due to the age of the theatre, the temperature may fluctuate. Wearing layers is advised.
  • Find out how to get here and parking information at Leeds Grand Theatre website.

Download a printable version of the following information as a Word Doc or PDF. For further information, please call 0113 395 0322.

  • Wheelchair access to Leeds Town Hall is available through the entrance at ground level at the front of the building
  • A number of spaces in the auditorium are reserved for wheelchair users
  • Accessible toilet facilities are available at all levels
  • Support dogs are welcome
  • The venue is equipped with a closed loop system for the hard of hearing
  • Find out how to get here and parking information at Leeds Town Hall website.
  • Entrance to the Howard Assembly Room is through the Opera North Box Office and the Howard Assembly Room Foyer on New Briggate.
  • The Opera North Box Office is situated on ground level.
  • There are automatic doors and push pad to access the Opera North Box Office.
  • From the Box Office, there is a platform lift to get into the atrium.
  • From the Atrium, there is also a standard lift which goes to all floors (number 1 for toilets, 2 for Stalls, and 3 for Gallery).
  • All lifts are big enough for a manual or electric wheelchair.
  • There are two dedicated wheelchair spaces in the Stalls on floor 2, but this can be easily increased if more are required.
  • Two gender neutral wheelchair accessible toilets are available on Level 1.
  • Support dogs are welcome in the venue and can be looked after on request.
  • We have hearing loops installed at the Howard Assembly Room Box Office and in the auditorium.
  • For parking information and how to get to the Howard Assembly Room, visit the Howard Assembly Room Access page.
  • Read or listen to our guide notes for getting to and around the Howard Assembly Room.
  • Watch a short video to give you an idea of what to expect the first time you visit the Howard Assembly Room.

Find access information via our touring venue websites.

Get in touch

For further information about our accessible performances and services please contact:

Box Office
Email: boxoffice@operanorth.co.uk
Phone: 0113 223 3600

Address:
Opera North Box Office
32 New Briggate
Leeds, LS1 6NU

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