136 Accessible Edinburgh: A Festival Guide Entertainment 137
Book Festival Edinburgh International
0131-529 6000; text relay on 18001 0131 529 6003; http://www.edthe-
atres.com/festival; 13-29 Nicolson St; box office 10am-6pm
Mon-Sat, to 8pm show nights, 4pm-showtime Sun; all South
Bridge buses
A beautifully restored art-deco theatre with a modern frontage,
the Festival is the city’s main venue for opera, dance and ballet,
but also stages musicals, concerts, drama and children’s shows.
This theatre gets a gold star for its efforts to make this venue
as inclusive as possible. There is a limited number of parking
spaces that can be reserved in advance and give level access
directly into the theatre; otherwise there are several bus stops
within 50m of the venue. If you call the box office on 0131-662
1112, they also offer a drop-off and pick-up service!
There are helpful and well-trained staff on hand to open the
heavy doors at the front of the building, and there’s lift access to
all floors. The view from the wheelchair bays is good and, unusu-
ally, more than one wheelchair user can sit together. There’s also
a wheelchair available for loan. Assistance dogs are welcome –
they even look after your dog during the performance and have
water bowls available! Signage has also been commended. Tours
are inclusive and highly recommended. Contact the venue di-
rectly or look for the relevant logo in their brochure for details of
audio-described, BSL or captioned performances. Braille, audio
and large-print versions of brochures are available; contact the
marketing department on 0131-662 1112 to be added to the mail-
ing list. For full details, visit http://www.edtheatres.com/festival-access.
King’s Theatre
0131-529 6000; http://www.edtheatres.com/kings; 2 Leven St; box
office 10am-7pm; all Tollcross buses
King’s is a traditional theatre with a program of musicals, drama,
comedy and its famous Christmas pantomimes.
As with its sister theatre, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, great
efforts have been made towards inclusivity. Although there’s no
accessible parking at the venue, there’s limited parking in nearby
side streets (single-yellow line in Tarvit St). Entrance is via a lane
at the right-hand side of the theatre: ring the bell to summon
staff and beware the slope up to and down into the auditorium.
Patrons in wheelchairs can sit in one of several dedicated spaces
in the stalls; one reviewer complained that the view was not great
from so far back. Help is available for ambulant disabled patrons.
The Sennheiser infrared system covers all areas of the audito-
rium; headsets/personal loops can be collected from the pro-
gram box in the foyer.
Assistance dogs are welcome, can be looked after during the
performance if required and will be given water! Unfortunately
the bars are only accessible by stairs; however, staff are happy to
bring refreshments to those who cannot manage stairs – speak
to a member of staff before the performance starts if you require
assistance. There are two accessible toilets, but one reviewer
complained about the size of the one they used.
Audio-described, BSL-interpreted and captioned performanc-
es are noted on the website and in the main brochure, and touch
tours are sometimes also offered. Braille, audio and large-print
versions of brochures are available; contact the marketing de-
partment on 0131-662 1112 to be added to the mailing list. For
further details, visit http://www.edtheatres.com/Kings-access.Queen’s Hall
0131-668 2019; http://www.thequeenshall.net; Clerk St; box office
10am-5.30pm Mon-Sat, or till 15min after show begins; all
Newington busesThe home of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra also stages jazz,
blues, folk, rock and comedy.
The Queen’s Hall is accessible to wheelchair users via the en-
trance next to the box office, or to the rear of the building; advise
the box office when purchasing your ticket if you need a wheel-
chair space. Also advise the box office when purchasing your
ticket if you are bringing a guide dog, as they will try to seat you
in an area that is comfortable for both you and your dog. There’s
an induction loop in the main auditorium to assist patrons who
have hearing difficulties: turn the hearing aid to the T position to
pick up sound directly from the stage.
There is level access throughout, and dropped counters at
both the bar and the merchandise stall.
There is an accessible toilet, but one reviewer remarked that
it was inconveniently located on the opposite side of the building
to the wheelchair viewing area. The same reviewer had trouble
accessing the building as there were no staff to open the accessi-
ble entrance. Also note that the venue is small and can be crowd-
ed, which is not ideal for wheelchair users.