Hi - I am hoping to go to Birmingham Hippodrome to see Mama Mia - have looked to book online and to book a wheelchair ticket you speak to them directly - I have been previously but was not a wheelchair user at the time.
Has anyone been to the theatre using their wheelchair? What was your experience? I would like to sit with my friends is this possible? I know I could phone them and ask but would like to know how others have got on.
Thanks in advance
Helen
hiya helen
i regularly to go my local (largeish) theatre. how many are going? if just 2 then u both sit in wheelchair area. if 4 i do 2 in area and 2 directly behind. if larger group maybe 2 in area and 4 behind etc. i my experience its very well organised and on arrival they have a plan of who is sitting where depending on type/number of chairs needed. i have never asked, for example, 4 seats in w/chair area for my party because i dont like the thought of 2 others missing out because my party were taking up places when they are able bodied. i have also been to a smaller theatre being pushed in my manual chair. in that instance my 2 friends sat one seat away-within talking distance so it was fine too. talk with them and explain-am sure it will work out! enjoy the show!
i am going to see dirty dancing and romesh ranganathan later this year and am confident all will be fine but discussion is the key!
ellie
ps i meant to say that i am usually in a powerchair!
I’ve been three times to three different theatres. No problems at all. You have to sit on the ends but in one theatre we had excellent spaces in the front row.
Hi
I’ve been to the two theatres here in Sheffield, and also in York, Manchester & the West End (I just bought tickets yesterday for a show in a couple weeks). Each venue has a slightly different set up, so I can’t say how it’ll work at the Hippodrome. But it’s always been a very good experience, and the staff are always clued up. You generally get good seats too, in the Stalls with a good view, though most of the time you sit at the end of the row. But you’re best phoning them directly to find out what to expect.
Hope you enjoy it!
Dan
You do need to phone them as so they can check that the spaces aren’t already booked, this is the reason you can’t book them on line. Usally just a seat removed from the end of a row, depending where the doors are it can be draughty, unless their policy is to not allow entrance during a performance or for example match points in snooker!. In newer theatres they have seats which can be taken out seperately eg. in the middle of rows and 2 or 3 together…modular…thats the word I was searching for! Usually front and back row, depends where there access and more important exit and loos and bar are. Have been to theatre here and also the States, same applies, same on cruises although you need to be quick making your mind up on a cruise! Always had a good experience the best being the Prince of Wales…for show,access and staff! Our older theatres can be better than ones that have been purposel built, because the areas in those make you feel isolated and cospicuous at the same time. You should not have a problem at all, hope it’s a good show, last time we went to see Al Murray, he got me ‘a fruit based drink’ (must have thought I was a secretary…lol) Have a good time, probably one of the best experiences if you use a wheelchair, they do tend to have good loos as well,joined up thinking for once!
Alison xp
Oh yes…agreed! It is essential to let them know you are a wheelchair user when you book your ticket. You must have a designated wheelchair space and if you just turn up in a wheelchair they may not have a wheelchair space available.