Everyone is welcome at Cast with every performance open for all people to access. We do have special performances adapted to suit some people's specific needs. If you'd prefer to attend those, you're more than welcome, but we want to say that we aim for a gold standard in accessibility so believe that everyone can enjoy the theatre together at any performance.
Cast is located on Sir Nigel Gresley Square, and has easy access to all our guests. There is a lift facility to all levels of the building and the box office has a lowered desk and hearing loop installed for customers use.
Social Story
We've put together a handy and easy to use guide that we call our Social Story. This is a short guide that will help you go through your upcoming visit to Cast, step by step, from entering the building to leaving. You can read our Social Story online by clicking here.
Toilets
The toilets are on both levels at the back of the foyer, on the right hand side of the main auditorium with two accessible toilets on the ground level and one upstairs which can be accessed by lift. There is also a Changing Places toilet with a fully adjustable adult sized changing bench, shower unit and ceiling track hoist. Additionally, there are at least two accessible toilets with space for one disabled person with a small chair in both ladies toilet blocks (four downstairs, two upstairs), and our accessible toilets on the ground and second floors have a baby change facility with space for up to two carers.
Learning disability, autistic spectrum condition, sensory and communication disorders
Cast is supportive and accepting of audience members with autistic spectrum conditions, sensory and communication disorders or learning disabled people during all our performances throughout the year. Get in touch if you need any additional support during your visit, such as the story explaining before you come.
Familiarisation Visits
If new places cause anxiety or take a bit more planning, we'd be happy to offer a familiarisation visit and show you around. Please contact our Box Office Manager Emily Graham, Emily@castindoncaster.com or pop in and we'll get it arranged for you.
Ear Defenders
Our ear defenders are ideal for anyone with Autism and sensory processing issues who are sensitive to noise and certain sounds. Please ask at the Box Office when you arrive for ear defenders.
More Information
We're proud to feature on AccessAble, an accessible guide that provides in-depth information about our accessibility, which you can refer to here.
We are proud to feature on Disabled Go, an accessible guide that provides in-depth information about our accessibility, which you can refer to here: https://www.accessable.co.uk/doncaster-metropolitan-borough-council/access-guides/cast
If the theatre becomes overwhelming, ask us about our Late Comers Booths - you can still watch the performance, but in a private environment at the back on the ground floor away from the main auditorium.
Carer Tickets & Access Membership
Carer Tickets are available free to anyone in need, without the requirement of proof. Not every disability is visible, and in many cases, not recognised with any form of paperwork. This way, more local people living their lives with dementia, poor mental health, autism, chronic pain – you name it - can come to Cast to experience world class arts in their home town with support of a carer.
Carer tickets can be booked by joining our Access Membership here
Our Access Membership is a free scheme for those with access needs which enables us to support your visit. Once you take out a membership you can-
- Book our wheelchair spaces online
- Access companion tickets if required
- Receive the latest information around access performances
Upon signing up you will need to discuss your access needs with our box office team (you will receive an email asking about your needs), your membership will then last for three years unless your circumstances change.
Auditorium Access
All Cast's performance spaces have seating areas that are wheelchair and lift accessible. Boxes A, B and D are wheelchair accessible, but Boxes C, E and F have steps to access them. Row I is the only row which is wheelchair accessible. After that it’s a shallow step per row down towards the stage (eg. 1 step to Row H, 2 steps to row G etc). We are no longer able to accept mobility scooters into the auditorium, you are welcome to arrive on a scooter, but you will need to transfer to a seat to watch the performance.
There is no lift to the circle on the left side (Box E & F side) of the auditorium.
The seats on the right hand side of the auditorium (from seat 1) are on the same side as the toilets. Seats on the left side of the stalls are on the same side as the bar.
Main Space Auditorium Seat Measurements:
The Main Space seats are the following widths:
Stalls & Circle:
Standard seat cushions: 46.4cm (46cm between the armrests)
Boxes:
A, B, C & E seats cushions: 48cm
D & F seat cushion 44cm (42.5cm between the armrests)
Bariatric Seating:
We also have bariatric chairs available subject to availability in certain areas of the auditorium. Please speak to the box office about these when you make your booking.
Recommended weight capacity: 35 stone
Seat width: 720mm
Seat depth: 585mm
Seat height: 490mm
Backrest width: 640mm
Backrest height: 390mm
Accessible Performances- BSL, Captioning, Audio Description & Relaxed
Cast provides accessible performances across the year. Our accessible performances are designed and adapted for people who may find a traditional theatre performance setting challenging.
If you, or someone you'll be visiting Cast with, has a disability, has additional or complex needs, or struggles with sitting in a regular theatre environment, then one of our accessible performances may be beneficial.
Audio described (AD) performances are for customers with visual impairments with a touch tour preceding the show to help fully visualise the set.
In the Main and Second spaces' there is an infrared show relay installed for customers with hearing aids, the box office can also provide headsets to amplify the sound level. Please note that unfortunately at the moment this service is currently unavailable - please chat with a member of the Front of House team about alternative options. In addition there is a full induction loop installed in the Main Space.
Audio described performances are marked with the symbol 'AD' on our webpage.
British Sign Language interpreted performances (BSL) with a signer at the side of the stage translating all the spoken word into BSL.
BSL interpreted performances are marked with the two hands symbol on our webpage.
Relaxed performances (R) which have been specifically tailored for those with dementia, learning disabilities or other sensory needs.
What happens at a relaxed performance?
- We keep the lights up, so it won't get too dark at any point during the performance
- We leave space for you to move about
- We have an open door policy, so you can come and go as you need to
- We turn the volume down, so there are no loud bangs or flashes of light
- We will never ask anyone to leave any performance for making involuntary noises, but you may feel more comfortable knowing that you're in a relaxed environment
- There will be extra staff to help if you need assistance
- You can still watch the performance, but in a private environment away from the main auditorium
Relaxed performances are marked with the symbol 'R' on our webpage.
Captioned performances (CAP) which display the spoken word on a screen next to the stage similar to subtitles.
Captions are subtitles which appear on screens at the side of the stage and display all the words and songs in the show. If you are deaf or hard of hearing you will be able to follow what's going on throughout.
Captioned performances are marked with the symbol 'CAP' on our webpage.
Cast provides accessible performances across the year, click here for more information on future accessible performances, or if you have any questions about access at Cast in general, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us at hello@castindoncaster.com or call 01302 303 959.
