Accessibility
We want everyone to enjoy their visit to the SJT. We work hard to break down the barriers of exclusion and make it easier for disabled people and those with additional needs to enjoy our space and be able to join in.
This page gathers information on the physical accessibility of our building and the accessible events and services we offer.
We offer a range of accessible performances. To find out what's coming up, visit the What's On page and select the relevant filter.
Entering the theatre
There are four sets of double doors at our entrance. The set furthest to the left has a ramp - the other three have a small step in front of them. The doors with a ramp can be opened by pushing a button on the wall to the left. When leaving the building these doors will open automatically as you approach.
Within the building we have:
Level access to the Box Office and accessible toilets;
Telecoil induction loops in both auditoria for customers with hearing aids;
Passenger lift access to the Round and McCarthy auditoria;
Designated wheelchair spaces in both theatres, accessible from the lift and next to a seat for your companion;
Front row level access available for many shows on request;
Ear defenders available to borrow, free of charge;
Booster cushions available to borrow, free of charge.
Please note: access to many seats in the Round and the McCarthy involves climbing or descending stairs. This document shows pictures of the auditoriums and has handrails marked in red.
We try to accommodate all access requirements, but please let us know as soon as possible, ideally at least 24 hours before you arrive. If you have any queries please call us on 01723 370541 or email us.
Access Requirement Register
This is a free service enabling customers with access requirements to easily and quickly book the seats they need, including online bookings when those seats might otherwise not be available. For more details, please click here.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance Dogs are welcome to stay with you in the auditorium or can be looked after by a member of staff. Please inform our Box Office if you're bringing a dog.
Pricing
If you have access requirements, you and one carer (if needed) can purchase tickets at the lowest price currently available for your chosen performance.
Please click here for information about show content and age guidance.
Changing Places Toilets
The closest Changing Places toilet to the SJT is located at The Street - full details here.
Seating
The Round: Seat widths range from 42-44cm. All seats except the back row have armrests which cannot be moved. The back row doesn't have any armrests - the seats are raised with a cushioned barrier you can lean forwards onto. There is also a bar you can rest your feet on. The Round is the auditorium with blue seats in the pictures.
The McCarthy: Seat widths are 45cm and all seats have armrests which can't be moved. The McCarthy is the auditorium with red seats in the pictures.
Aisles and staircases are marked on our seating plans. If you have any questions, please email our Box Office team who can advise on specific seats.
Chilled performances
These performances allow for noise and movement in the auditorium, as well as re-entry for anyone who may need time away from the performance.
All performances of our Christmas show for under sixes are Chilled.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our Box Office team.
Audio-description and assistive listening
We have both a telecoil induction loop and a Dolby Fidelio system. Dolby Fidelio allows both audio description and assistive listening. Fidelio units are available from the kiosk on the first floor, you can either use the headphones provided or your own.
We have an Audio Described performance of all SJT produced shows, and also offer Audio Description on films whenever it's available.
For performances: During these performances, the actors dialogue is incorporated with live commentary that explains what is happening on stage via a headset.
For films: During gaps in the film's dialogue, a narrator's voice will play through the headphones explaining all the action on screen. Meanwhile, the film's soundtrack plays through the cinema sound system as normal.
Open captioning
For performances: The spoken words and sound effects on stage are displayed as text on a screen. Please notify Box Office if you need a seat with a view of the captioning screen when you book.
For films: We regularly have open captioned screenings of films in our cinema. Captions appear at the bottom of the cinema screen like subtitles on a TV. If a screening's captioned, all the trailers and adverts are captioned too.
British Sign Language interpretation
All SJT produced performances have a performance which are interpreted in British Sign Language. The interpreter often stands to the side of the stage, their position is marked on the seating plan. For these performances the seats with the best view of the interpreter are marked with a little i on the seating plan.
Dementia-friendly events
We're proud to be dementia-friendly and work with our local Dementia Action Alliance and those living with dementia.
Dementia-friendly events start with a short introduction from an SJT staff member, where we flag any unusual technical elements in the show such as loud noises or pyrotechnics. All dementia-friendly events are also captioned - you'll need to book a seat with a view of the caption screen if you'd like to make use of this - they're labelled online or the Box Office team can assist you.
Relaxed performances
These are designed for anyone who would benefit from a less formal, more supportive atmosphere such as people on the autism spectrum, those with sensory or communication disorders, those with learning disabilities and families with babies.
It’s fine to make noise, move around or leave the auditorium. Relaxed performances may vary, but most will have an introduction to the actors and the characters they'll be playing, an explanation of any special effects used, a reduction in loud or sudden sound effects. and the lights left on low so it's never completely dark.
Ear Defenders
We have ear defenders which can be borrowed free of charge from the theatre. Please ask at Box Office and you can collect them from the kiosk in our Upper Foyer.
Booster Cushions
We have booster cushions which can be borrowed free of charge from the theatre. Please ask at Box Office and you can collect them from the kiosk in our Upper Foyer.
Recite Me
We use Recite Me software to make our website more accessible. You can launch this by clicking the 'Accessibility Tools' link on the top right of all of our webpages.
For guidance on how to use Recite Me, please follow the link below.
We are breastfeeding friendly!
We have been listed as a breastfeeding-friendly venue by North Yorkshire Council. This means we have met requirements such as:
A warm and welcoming space with comfortable seating;
Access to drinking water and somewhere for handwashing;
Ensuring staff accommodate and welcome breastfeeding mums;
Understand that hungry babies cry and that's OK;
We will remind other customers that we are breastfeeding-friendly if they make unhelpful comments to a mum;
Being aware of the law which protects breastfeeding mothers (Equality Act 2010);
Allowing breastfeeding in all customer areas of our premises.
