ACCESS.
This page details access provisions for Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people
We are here to ensure that everyone can access our information, our building and our services and engage with what we do. You can use this page to do the following things:
- Find out about our Access Scheme
- See provisions for Deaf people or those with hearing loss
- See provisions for those who are visually impaired
- Read information for wheelchair users
- Find out about Relaxed Performances
- Read how we can support your mental health condition(s)
- Contact us
A separate page lists all of our upcoming access performances.
You can use accessibility software tool Recite Me to help our website work best for you. There is a link in our footer which says ‘Access & translate website’ – click this to access the Recite Me toolbars.
ACCESS SCHEME
Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people are encouraged to join our scheme so that we may assist them in finding suitable seating, and ensure that ticket prices are adjusted to reflect their requirements. This scheme aims to assist you in booking tickets and helping us to understand your specific needs.
USING RECITE ME
You can use accessibility tool Recite Me to help our website work best for you.
There is a link in our footer (pictured, this is at the bottom of every single website page) which says ‘Access & translate website’. It is located on the left hand side. Click this to access the Recite Me toolbars.
Use these toolbars to take advantage of a screen reader, change styling and design on pages, translate text and more.
BROWSING ACCESS PERFORMANCES
There are two ways to browse upcoming access performances at Shakespeare’s Globe.
You can visit our main ‘What’s on’ page – this is where you will find every single event and tour happening on-site or online. On the top right of the page there is a dropdown menu labelled ‘Access’ (pictured). Click this, and select an access performance type. As a result, all of the events and shows with this type of performance available will display.
Alternatively, we have created a bespoke page called ‘Upcoming access performances’ which pulls out all of these dates in one list for your ease.
FOR DEAF PEOPLE OR THOSE WITH HEARING LOSS
Hearing dogs are welcome to Shakespeare’s Globe. During a tour of the building, hearing dogs should stay with their owners. We suggest that for performances, hearing dogs are cared for by our stewards. Please let us know in advance if you wish to bring a dog to a performance.
Induction loops are installed in both our theatres, at the Box Office and the guided tour admissions. Hearing aids should be turned to the ‘T’ or ‘3’ position to access the loops. The loop in the Globe Theatre is best picked up in the Lower Gallery and may be affected by the climate.
A small number of hearing enhancers are available from the Welcome Desk in the main foyer.
BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETED PERFORMANCES
Details of who is interpreting each performance will be listed on each event page.
When browsing lists of performance dates online or in print, look out for the letters BSL which will indicate a sign language interpreted performance. You can also see all upcoming signed performances on one page.
Pictured: A woman stands on the outdoor wooden stage of the Globe Theatre and uses her hands to sign a performance to the audience.
CAPTIONED PERFORMANCES
In the Globe Theatre, open captioning units are used for captioned performances.
Seats with the best views of the units will be marked on the website and Box Office staff can advise patrons further when booking by phone or in person.
In the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, individual tablets are used for captioning.
When browsing lists of performance dates online or in print, look out for the letters CAP which will indicate a captioned performance. You can also see all upcoming captioned performances on one page.
FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE
A copy of the brochure is available in large print and high contrast is available on request.
Assistance dogs are welcome to Shakespeare’s Globe. During a tour of the building, assistance dogs should stay with their owners. We suggest that for performances, assistance dogs are cared for by our stewards. Please let us know in advance if you wish to bring a dog to a performance.
AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCES
Touch Tours happen before each audio described performance. This gives you an opportunity to go on stage, meet the cast and have a tactile experience with key set, costume and props. We highly encourage audiences to make the most of this opportunity as we have received fantastic feedback about our Touch Tours. Assistance dogs, companions, family and friends are welcome on Touch Tours.
Please contact us if you do not wish to go on the Touch Tour.
Large Print and Braille cast lists are available for all audiences who require them from the first Audio Described show. Please ask our Welcome Desk for more information.
Audio description is provided via headsets.
Pre-show notes will be given via the headsets 15 minutes before the show is due to begin.
When browsing lists of performance dates online or in print, look out for the letters AD which will indicate an audio described performance. You can also see all upcoming audio described performances on one page.
Pictured: In an indoor wooden playhouse, an actor wearing an Elizabethan costume guides two people through touching props on a wooden table.
A copy of the brochure is available in large print and high contrast is available on request. An Audio Brochure for each season is available on our Soundcloud.
WHEELCHAIR USERS
Both of our theatres are wheelchair accessible.
Wheelchair user position tickets can be purchased online or by telephone in the same way as other tickets. Unfortunately, we may not be able to accommodate you if an unsuitable ticket has been purchased.
Guided Tours of the Globe Theatre are wheelchair accessible.
VIDEO: ACCESSING SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE
In this video, which is 4 minutes and 51 seconds long, actor and writer David Proud demonstrates how disabled patrons can access the Shakespeare’s Globe site.
PARKING
Two parking spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. Spaces may be booked via the Box Office or the Access Information Line.
RELAXED PERFORMANCES
Relaxed performances embrace the democratic nature of our theatres. During these performances, we take a more relaxed view of Front of House etiquette, including an open-door policy so that patrons can come and go as they please. We offer familiarisation visits for patrons who benefit from seeing the theatres before the day of the performance.
A visual story will be available to download from our production web page near the time to each relaxed performance. The visual story includes information about the production and your visit to our site.
There are ear defenders available in different sizes to borrow from the Welcome Desk in the main foyer
When browsing lists of performance dates online or in print, look out for the letter R which will indicate a relaxed performance. You can also see all upcoming relaxed performances on one page.
MENTAL HEALTH
Some mental health conditions can make it difficult for people to attend performances, take part in our activities or join our tours.
If, for whatever reason, you feel that there is something we can do to make your visit to Shakespeare’s Globe easier, please let us know.
CONTACT US
A dedicated access line operates from 10.00am – 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, offering advice on specialised services for disabled people at Shakespeare’s Globe.
We believe that equal access can only be achieved with your input, so please contact us if you feel there is anything we can do to improve your visit, or if you would like to discuss your access requirements for courses, workshops or events.
Call the access line on +44 (0)20 7902 1409 or you can email the access team on [email protected] and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
OTHER WEBSITE PAGES YOU MIGHT LIKE
UPCOMING ACCESS PERFORMANCES
This page of the website provides a useful list of all future access performances taking place at the Globe Theatre and Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Discover More
ACCESS SCHEME
Find out more about our Access Scheme which aims to assist you in booking tickets and also helps us understand your specific needs – this page has a form for you to fill out and submit
Discover More