Access

The Harlequin Theatre & Cinema and Reigate & Banstead Borough Council are committed to making your theatre visit an accessible and enjoyable experience.

Hearing Impaired

An infra-red hearing loop system is situated within the auditorium and in The Waller Cinema. There are a limited number of headsets available on payment of a £10 returnable deposit. Whilst these may be available on the day, it is advised that you book them in advance. Please contact the Box Office on 01737 276500 for further information.

Visually Impaired

Guide and Hearing Dogs are welcome at The Harlequin and we will be pleased to provide a bowl of water. Please inform the Box Office when booking your tickets so we can ensure adequate space is made available.

Braille Signage is located throughout the building.

Large print versions of our ‘What’s On’ brochure and other documents are available on request. If you have any problems receiving our publications, please don’t hesitate to call.

A couple of our Pantomime performances are signed. Certain seats have a better view of the signer than others, so please let the Box Office know of your requirements at the time of booking.

Mobility Impaired

For certain shows, we are able to provide up to ten wheelchair spaces in the auditorium, situated in the stalls area. This will be advertised within our ‘What’s On’ brochure. One wheelchair space is available in the Waller Cinema. Early booking is recommended.

For individuals who have difficulty with stairs, please inform the Box Office when booking. Lift access is available to all floors. Accessible toilets are available on the lower foyer.

Our staff can bring refreshments to you in the interval – please book in advance, so that we can serve you as quickly as possible.

For those who need additional assistance…

The Harlequin Theatre & Cinema operates a scheme for those who need somebody present to assist them. The scheme allows members a free ticket, so that they can bring an ‘Essential Companion’ with them.

The scheme is not open or intended for those who simply require a companion/friend or require assistance with transportation to The Harlequin. The scheme is free and simple to join, but is necessary to combat fraud.

An ‘Essential Companion’ is somebody who is able to help the person with a disability by means of mobility or guidance and to use and enjoy the services at The Harlequin.

The application forms are available from the Box Office, or can be downloaded below:

Essential Companion Scheme – Individual

Essential Companion Scheme – Organisation

General Information

The Duty Manager has overall responsibility for looking after all our customer’s interests and should be your first point of contact in advance, or on the night. They will endeavour to deal with any concerns efficiently and effectively.

In addition, all our members of staff are provided with regular basic training in access awareness and etiquette, and are familiar with how our Essential Companion Scheme works. We aim for all our staff to be able to assist customers with queries regarding disabled access to The Harlequin.

Please note, due to health and safety reasons, our staff are unable to help customers in and out of their transport or mobility equipment.

Customers and their companions are welcome to visit us prior to attending a performance in order to familiarise themselves with the layout of The Harlequin. These visits can be arranged by contacting the Front of House Manager on 01737 276833.

Use of Stage Effects

For any performance containing strobe lighting, flashing lights, pyrotechnics, haze/smoke and/or loud bangs/explosions, a notice will be displayed in all public areas, as well as on the doors of the relevant space. If this is likely to be a concern for you or any members of your group, please consult with the Box Office in advance or the Duty Manager on arrival.

Help us to help you

In order to help us offer you maximum comfort, please provide as much relevant information as possible when booking.

Feedback

We greatly appreciate any suggestions you may have about how we could improve your access to and enjoyment of our facilities. Please send your comments to harlequin@reigate-banstead.gov.uk