Access

We would like your visit to Exeter Phoenix to be as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. On this page you will find details about building accessibility.

If you have questions, suggestions or would like to discuss specific requirements, please contact our Visitor Services Manager Anna-Ruth by calling 01392 667080 or email Anna-Ruth here >>

Access To The building

There is a steep slope from the street leading to the main entrance and a flight of stairs up to our front door. More level access is possible by approaching from Exeter Central Library on Castle street. Step-free access to the building is available via a ramped entrance on the side of the building.

The side entrance is equipped with automatic doors.

All ground floor spaces are fully accessible with a mix of level flooring and gentle ramps. Spaces on our first floor are accessible via lift or the main staircases with level floor access throughout. Unfortunately, our second floor is not accessible via lift. Access from the first floor is via one flight of stairs.

You can download a floor plan here.

Access at Events

Hearing Loops

Induction loops are in place in our main auditorium and Studio 74.

Standing Events

At standing events, a small seating area is available to reserve for people who have difficulty standing. Please email boxoffice@exeterphoenix.org.uk or call 01392 667080 to find out more.

Descriptive Subtitling (DS)
A service for our Deaf/deaf and hard of hearing customers that displays additional auditory information on the screen.

Audio Described (AD)

A service for partially sighted or blind people, where a narrator will detail what's happening on the screen at selected breaks during the film's dialogue, through a set of headphones. AD headphones are available to collect from Box Office prior to the film screening.

See below for more information on access in our Film Programme.

Some of our live performances also offer an Audio Described service. There are also some Captioned performances. See below for a link to these.

BSL and Relaxed Performances

Some shows in our performance programme offer BSL-interpretation for the d/Deaf community and Relaxed performances which allow people with additional needs to enjoy a show without having to worry about moving around, leaving the auditorium, or making a noise. See below for more information.

Seating

In the main auditorium and Studio 74 we have raked seating which has steps on either side.

The seats have arms.

Auditorium Seat Dimensions:

Seat: 15” Wide, 16” Long (Depth)

Back: 17” Wide, 19” Long (Height)

Booster seats are available upon request. Please contact Box Office prior to the event to reserve one.

Studio 74 Seat Dimensions:

Seat: 17.5" Wide, 18.5" Long (Depth)

Back: 19" Wide, 22" Long (Height)

Seating at events in The Workshop & Studio 1 changes depending on the event; if you have any specific requirements we will do our best to accommodate them and advise getting in contact before you attend.

If you are a wheelchair user we have removable seats or appropriate spaces available in all event spaces to accommodate this.

Parking

There is one accessible parking space for Blue Badge Holders. To reserve this for your visit, please call our Box Office team on 01392 667080 who will provide you with a parking permit upon arrival.

Toilets

Level access to accessible toilets is available on all floors. The accessible toilet next to Studio 74 does not require a radar key. A radar key is required for the accessible toilet on the ground floor next to The Workshop and the first floor accessible toilet; the key is available from the Box Office.

We have gender neutral toilets available in Studio 74 and on the first floor.

Guide Dogs

Guide / Hearing / Assistance Dogs are welcome. If you wish to take your dog into the performance, please let us know when booking your ticket so that we can arrange an adjacent seat.

Companion Tickets

Patrons with disabilities may also bring a companion free of charge to all Exeter Phoenix promoted events, and most externally promoted events taking place in the venue. Please call 01392 667080 or email our Box Office team to organise this.

Sensory Notes

The café bar plays low level recorded music during the day, with moderately bright lighting. During the evening the music in the café bar is louder and the lighting is lower. The café bar can become busy at various times which makes it louder.

Events in the auditorium vary depending on what is showing; there will be signage if there is going to be haze, flashing lights or strobe.

The building can be busy with multiple events happening at the same time. During your visit, if you feel you need a quieter space, please ask the duty manager who will try to accommodate this where possible.

FILMS

Subtitled Screenings

A selection of our films are also caption subtitled. Caption subtitling is a service that makes our film programme accessible to our d/Deaf and hearing-impaired customers by displaying additional auditory information on the screen. These can be found here.

As well as showing the dialogue, Descriptive Subtitles provide information on other significant sounds. For example: when something is being sung; when a phone rings; when a door slams. This extra information allows customers using the subtitles to access the film more fully.

Audio Described (AD)

Some of our films will also be audio described.

Audio description is a service for partially sighted or blind people, and is similar to listening to a cricket or football match on the radio – the action is described to you. These can be found here.

In addition to the film's main soundtrack playing through the cinema speakers, AD users listen to a narrator detailing what's happening on the screen at selected breaks during the film's dialogue, through a set of headphones. The headphones are personal and the user is still able to hear the film's sound through the cinema surround sound speakers.

AD headphones are available to collect from Box Office prior to the film screening.

Foreign Language Films

Our film programme also contains many films subtitled into English from other languages. These may also be suitable for our d/Deaf and hearing-impaired customers, but won't include additional descriptions of sounds. These can be found here.

Relaxed Screenings

We also host relaxed screenings for people who might benefit from a more relaxed environment, screened at a lower volume, the lights will remain at a low level throughout and you are welcome to move about in the space and come and go as you please.

There will be a dedicated breakout space for those who need it. Our Box Office team will help you locate this on the day of the screening.

For those that wish to make their experience more comfortable, Ear defenders can be borrowed from Box Office.

You can also select your seat when booking.

Our Relaxed Screenings can be found here.

PERFORMANCE

BSL Performances

Many of our shows offer access for the d/Deaf community via a BSL interpreter.

An interpreter will stand in a visible position and interpret the spoken and heard elements of a performance. These can be found here.

Relaxed Performances

Relaxed performances allow people with learning differences or other sensory and communication needs to access theatre in a relaxed environment.

They are also suitable for those with dementia, or for anyone who can find traditional theatre environments stressful.

Typically, this will involve keeping the house lights up, so it’s not too dark, reducing the volume of sound effects and music, and allowing people to move and make noises during the show, and come and go as they please.

These performances are available for a number of our long-running events, including our annual winter family show with Quirk Theatre.

The shows which offer a Relaxed performance can be seen here.

For more information feel free to telephone Anna-Ruth on the number at the top of the page.

Audio Described (AD)

Some of our performances will also be audio described.

Audio description is a service for partially sighted or blind people, and is similar to listening to a cricket or football match on the radio – the action is described to you. These can be found here.

Sometimes the audio description might be integrated into the performance, otherwise AD headphones will available to collect from Box Office prior to the performance.

Captioned Performances

Some of our performances also include captions. During a Captioned Performance, the actors' words appear as visible text on screens at the same time as they are spoken. See our captioned performances here.

Touch Tours

Occasionally, our live performances are able to offer a pre-show touch tour upon request. Touch tours give visually impaired theatre-goers and audience members with learning differences or other sensory and communication needs the opportunity to touch the sets, props and costumes to familiarise themselves ahead of the performance.

Venue Visual Story

We are currently in the process of updating our visual story to more accurately reflect our building, please bear with us whilst we complete this.