138 Accessible Edinburgh: A Festival Guide Entertainment 139
Summerhall
0131-560 1580; http://www.summerhall.co.uk; 1 Summerhall; buses 41,
42, 67
Formerly Edinburgh University’s veterinary school, the Summer-
hall complex is a major cultural centre and entertainment venue,
with old halls and lecture theatres (including an original anatomy
lecture theatre) now serving as venues for drama, dance, cinema
and comedy performances. It’s also one of the main venues for
Edinburgh International Festival
Due to the age of the building, not all the venue spaces are
fully accessible. A full list of accessible and inaccessible spaces,
along with information about BSL-interpreted and relaxed per-
formances, is available at http://www.summerhall.co.uk/about/
accessibility/. You are advised to book ahead, arrive early and, if
possible, let the venue know if you have particular access needs.
They will also arrange a familiarisation tour of the venue should
you require it; one reviewer found this particularly helpful, which
should be borne in mind given that other reviewers found the
layout complicated.
Wheelchair and limited-mobility access is via the side en-
trance on Summerhall Sq – beware the narrow ramp. The en-
trance is clearly marked by the original Dick Vet gates and a staff
member is present in the courtyard at all times. As you enter, The
Royal Dick (as it is colloquially known) is situated to your right
as you come in, with a ramp at the rear of the bar, and there is
a ramp directly ahead that leads to the box office (with lowered
counter), press office and cafe (accessible owing to the movable
furniture), which also has rooms that can be reserved – a bonus
for anyone with hearing/speech issues as you can close the door
for quiet. There’s a large accessible toilet.
West End & Dean Village
Filmhouse
0131-228 2688; http://www.filmhousecinema.com; 88 Lothian Rd; all
Lothian Rd buses
The Filmhouse is the main venue for the annual Edinburgh Inter-
national Film Festival and screens a full program of art-house,
classic, foreign and second-run films, with lots of themes, retro-
spectives and 70mm screenings. It has wheelchair access to all
three screens.
Royal Lyceum Theatre
0131-248 4848; http://www.lyceum.org.uk; 30b Grindlay St; box office
10am-6pm Mon-Sat, to 8pm show nights; all Lothian Rd busesA grand Victorian theatre located beside the Usher Hall, the Ly-
ceum stages drama, concerts, musicals and ballet.
There are designated Blue Badge parking spaces directly
opposite the theatre. Staff are available to open the heavy main
doors, after which there is level/lift access to all areas. An in-
duction loop is available from the box office, while infrared and
radio headsets are available from the foyer shop for use during
audio-described performances. Assistance dogs are welcome
and can either accompany their owner or be looked after by
staff during performances. There is space for up to 27 people in
wheelchairs in the Stalls Boxes, to which drinks may be brought
by staff during the interval (although there is lift access to the
bar). Carers are admitted free of charge by prior arrangement.
The accessible toilet is on street level and, although small, handi-
ly close to the lift.
Information on all productions and the theatre is available
in audio format, in large print and in Braille. Details of audio-
described, BSL-interpreted, captioned performances and
touch tours are available either on the website or in the theatre’s
listings.
For further information, visit http://lyceum.org.uk/your-visit/
accessibility/, where you will find a seating plan and a download-
able access brochure, or contact Jacqui Nagib on 0131-248 4818
or [email protected].Traverse Theatre
0131-228 1404; http://www.traverse.co.uk; 10 Cambridge St; box office
10am-6pm Mon-Sat, to 8pm show nights; all Lothian Rd busesThe Traverse is the main focus for new Scottish writing and stag-
es an adventurous program of contemporary drama and dance.
The box office is only open on Sunday (from 4pm) when there’s
a show on.
From the Cambridge St entrance there is level access to the
box office. There is lift access to the bar-cafe and theatres, and
accessible toilets on the box office and bar cafe levels. Assis-
tance dogs are welcome. Mention when booking if you require
lift access to Traverse 1 or Traverse 2 as a staff member will meet
and accompany you. When booking, make it known if you re-
quire a wheelchair or if you are interested in an audio-described,
BSL-interpreted, hearing-enhanced or captioned performance.