Relaxed Performance Welcome Pack

Everything you need to know - FAQs

Where does the performance take place?

This performance takes place at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, 2 St Cecilia Street, Leeds, LS2 7PA. We’re just behind the BBC Yorkshire building and Leeds Conservatoire.

Our location: https://what3words.com/pizza.riding.safely

You can view a walkthrough of the building.

How do I travel by public transport?

By Train

Leeds City Station, situated on New Station Street, is approximately a 15 minute walk from the theatre. For more information please visit the National Rail or Trainline websites.

By Bus

The central bus and coach station is opposite Leeds Playhouse and a 5 minute walk from the the theatre. For more information please visit the WY Metro website.

Where can I park?

The nearest car parks are the NCP The Markets Car Park and the Victoria Leeds Car Park (at John Lewis). Both have accessible spaces but do not offer free Blue Badge parking. These are a 5-10 minute walk from the venue and will involve crossing one or two busy roads to get to the theatre.

In Leeds, Blue Badge holders can park on-street for free. Close to Northern Ballet, the Playhouse Square Car Park has accessible bays free for Blue Badge holders.

What’s the entrance to the building like?

When you arrive at the building you can choose to enter the building through three different doors:

• A button activated wheelchair accessible door to the left
• A rotating door in the middle
• A door to the right

All areas of the building that you will use are level and wheelchair accessible.

Who will be there when I arrive?

As you enter, to the right will be the Box Office. You should already have your tickets so you do not need to go to the Box Office. There will be volunteers handing out stickers and other information. The volunteers will have received Autism Awareness Training.

The theatre seats 200 people, so the foyer might be busy with other customers.

Can I buy tickets on the performance day?

The shows are very popular and we do expect to have shows sell out before the performance day. We advise you to book in advance where you can.

If you do wish to book a ticket in person, either on the performance day or before, please be aware that our Box Office is cashless, we are able to accept card and contactless payments only.

What should we do when we arrive?

The doors will open about 20 minutes before the start time listed on your ticket. You are welcome to go in and look at the space from that time, to check out where you are sitting. You can take your seat at that point, or closer to the start time if that suits you better. You are welcome to make use of the foyer space or the chill out area at any time.

What will the foyer be like?

The foyer can become quite busy as all audience members will need to go
through it. This can be up to 200 people. Many people will arrive early and wait in
the foyer.

There is a Café in the foyer selling food and drinks.

There is a small amount of seating in the foyer, but this gets busy quickly.

There will be an area to store prams and pushchairs, although we ask that you don’t leave any valuables. There will also be storage for coats. Wheelchairs can also be stored for those who would like to sit in a seat.

Before the show starts, there will be some announcements using a microphone that let you know that you can take your seats. This could happen up to 3 times.

What’s the chill out area?

The chill out area is a quiet room accessible from the foyer. It has beanbag seating, as well as chairs, and has low lighting. The room will have some sensory toys that you are welcome to use. You can use this space before, during and after the performance.

Where are the toilets?

As you walk through the entrance of the building, the toilets are on your left. There are male (cubicles and urinals) and female (cubicles only) toilets, and a unisex accessible toilet. All toilets have both hand dryers and paper towels. During Relaxed Performances the hand dryers will be turned off. Please look at our Building Access Guide for detailed information.

For Relaxed Performances there is a temporary Changing Room available next to the Chill Out Space. This includes a fixed-height bed and mobile hoist. You must bring your own sling to use the hoist. The space does not have running water or a toilet. We provide baby wipes and anti-bacterial wipes and sprays to keep the space clean. We also provide latex-free gloves, aprons, and hygiene paper for the bed.

There is also a mobile Changing Places available.

What if we need a Changing Places?

For Expressions we are able to offer a mobile Changing Places toilet provided by AccessoLoo. This is based in our car park, which is to the left of the building when looking at the main entrance. The AccessoLoo is managed by an attendant who keeps it clean but please note they cannot help with care needs.

There are a number of Changing Places toilets near us including at:

• Leeds Playhouse
• Kirkgate Market
• Victoria Gate Shopping Centre

To find more facilities near us visit changing-places.org

Can I bring my own food?

There is a Café in the foyer run by Gorgeous Grub Club. They have some seating in the foyer and drinks can be taken into the auditorium if in a plastic or paper cup. They will be open from 8.30am and close at around 8pm, after the interval of the evening performance. You’re also welcome to bring your own food or drink into the foyer, and your own drinks into the auditorium.

Are there any resources available?

We have pairs of ear defenders available and a selection of fidget toys. Both can be collected from the Box Office. There are also fidget and sensory toys in the Chill Out Space. There are also booster seats available.

We also have a limited number of sensory bags available. These contain one resource for each performance, there is a list telling which resource matches which performance. We advise you look in the bag before the show starts so you know what to expect. Resources will include things like glow sticks, chocolates, flags and mini disco balls, please do not eat or play with anything that could be dangerous to you. We advise an adult supports a child to use the resources. We kindly ask that bags are returned after the performance, so we can use the resources again. You are welcome to keep single use resources such as glow sticks and chocolates!

Before the performance starts you’ll also be offered a free programme which tells you more about the pieces you will see.
 

What if we make noise during the show?

Don’t worry! We know people may need to make noise during the performance. You are welcome to leave the auditorium if you need a break and re-enter when you’re ready, but our audience and performers know that some audience members may make noise during the show.

What is Expressions?

Expressions is a community dance platform that invites disabled dancers to perform on our professional stage. A lot of the performers are in groups that may dance together at school or as part of a club or dance school. There are often some solo performers too. Some dance for fun while others are training to be professional dancers, or already are! Dancers vary in age and disability but have one thing in common – they love to dance.

To find out a bit more about who features in each show, have a look at our Expressions webpage.

Expressions is quite unique as all the performers sit in the audience and watch the show they’re part of! This means there will be some noise and movement as each group gets up to go on stage. It’s important that only the dancers go on stage as it can be dangerous.

What will the music be like?

Each performing group/artist selects their own music. There is usually a mix of classical and instrumental, pop music, film soundtracks and songs from musicals. Sometimes there is live music but usually it is recorded music. If you would like to know more about the music in advance you can contact Sam on sam.moore@northernballet.com.

Are there any loud noises?

As the performances are Relaxed, we work hard to make sure the music is not too loud.

At Expressions, we have a fun, party atmosphere as we celebrate the work of each performer. During the performances you might find the audience clap, cheer or sing along – you’re welcome to enjoy the show however you want to. At the end of each piece, the performers usually bow and there will be clapping and cheering. The afternoon performances are usually a bit quieter than evening performances. Ear defenders are available if it is too loud for you. 

Are there any bright or flashing lights?

For Relaxed Performances the lights will pulse instead of flash, and the coloured lights will be less intense.

How long is the performance? Is there an interval?

The performances will vary in length, and as they are made up of lots of community groups we can’t always provide a definite end time. Our expectations are:

• Tuesday, 1.00 – 2.10pm with no interval (break)
• Tuesday, 7.00 – 8.50pm with a 15 minute interval
• Wednesday, 12.30 – 1.30pm with no interval
• Wednesday, 7.00 – 8.40pm with a 15 minute interval 

You can leave early if you need to, and you are welcome to leave the auditorium for a break and come back later. 

Will there be loud clapping at the end of the show?

Yes, usually audiences will clap at the end of the performance and sometimes you will hear clapping during the performance too.

At Expressions, we have a fun, party atmosphere as we celebrate the work of each performer. During the performances you might find the audience clap, cheer or sing along – you’re welcome to enjoy the show however you want to. At the end of each piece, the performers usually bow and there will be clapping and cheering. The afternoon performances are usually a bit quieter than evening performances. Ear defenders are available if it is too loud for you.

What happens when the show has finished?

Once the performance has finished, people will start leaving their seats and going back into the foyer. As there are around 200 people in the auditorium, and only one door, this can take a little while. You’re welcome to stay in your seat until everyone has left.

The foyer will be busy with people again. Some will leave straight away but others might stay to finish their drinks and chat.

Our Volunteers will be handing out paper feedback forms; if you are able, we would love to know what you thought of the performance as this helps us to make it better for next time!

Can we take photos or use our phones during the show?

We ask that you don’t take photos during the performance as this can distract the performers as well as other audience members. For family and friends of the performers, those that have given media consent will receive a handful of professionally taken images of the performance.

We ask you put your phone on silent during the the performance so that you don’t disturb other audience members, unless you are using it to listen to the audio description. If you are listening to the show, please use head or earphones.