We offer captioned, audio described, relaxed, dementia friendly and British Sign Language interpreted performances across our programme, ensuring that anyone can enjoy our live shows. If you’d like any more details, or even want to see the spaces for yourself ahead of your visit, please get in touch with our Box Office team by phone on 01904 623568, via email at boxoffice@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk, or in person.
BSL
British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances feature an interpreter who will stand in a clearly visible position and interpret the spoken and heard aspects of the show using BSL. Please mention that you are interested in this service at the time of booking and our Box Office team will then be able to advise on which seats have the best view of our interpreter.
Upcoming BSL performances include:
Military Wives– Fri 19 Sep at 7.30pm
Lost Atoms– Thu 09 Oct at 7.30pm
Sleeping Beauty– Mon 22 Dec at 11am and 5.30pm
The Last Picture– Sat 14 Feb at 2pm
Annie– Tue 17 Feb at 7.30pm
Hamlet– Fri 17 Apr at 7pm
The Psychic– Fri 15 May 2026 at 7.30pm
Audio Description
Audio Described (AD) performances are similar to listening to a cricket or football match on the radio, having the action described to you. You’ll hear an explanation of what’s happening on stage (not just the action but also the set, expressions and visual jokes) during gaps in the dialogue and sound effects. This audio commentary is broadcast to you by accredited Audio Describers through individual headsets that are free to use and can be picked up at our Box Office before the start of the performance. Audio Description is completely unnoticed by other audience members.
Our Touch Tours prior to AD performances offer the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the set, props and costumes in advance of the performance by getting on stage and being talked through what appears there by our Audio Describers. Touch Tours usually happen 90 minutes before the performance starts and last approximately 30 minutes. Please book your place at least 24 hours in advance of the performance via our Box Office.
Upcoming Audio Described performances include:
Military Wives– Wed 24 Sep at 7.30pm
Lost Atoms– Sat 11 Oct at 2.30pm
Sleeping Beauty– Mon 29 Dec at 5.30pm
Hamlet– Sat 18 Apr at 2pm and 7pm
The Psychic– Sat 16 May 2026 at 2.30pm
Captioning
Captioned performances are similar to subtitling, with the dialogue displayed on a screen by the stage, to be seen in real time as the actors speak. Speakers’ name, sound effects and offstage noises are also shown. Captioned performances are particularly helpful to D/deaf, deafened and hard of hearing patrons as well as anyone who struggles to follow strong accents or whose first language is not English. We have reserved seating for captioned performances in order to provide the best sight lines. Please mention that you are interested in this service at the time of booking and our Box Office team can offer you these seats.
Upcoming Captioned performances include:
Military Wives– Sat 27 Sep at 2.30pm
Sleeping Beauty– Tue 30 Dec at 2.30pm
Hamlet– Wed 15 Apr at 7.30pm
The Psychic– Sat 23 May 2026 at 2.30pm
Relaxed Performances
In a Relaxed performance audience members can move around freely, leave and enter the auditorium as needed, the lights never go completely dark and sound effects are softened. Our Relaxed performances are popular with audience members who, for many reasons, do not feel comfortable attending other performances and benefit from a more relaxed environment in which to see a show.
Upcoming Relaxed performances include:
Sleeping Beauty– Fri 02 Jan 2026 at 2.30pm
Dementia Friendly Performances
A Dementia Friendly performance is very similar to a Relaxed performance. There will be adaptations to technical parts of the performance, flexible seating options and a relaxed attitude to audience responses and movement in the auditorium. There will be additional staff on hand before and throughout the performance trained to support audience members living with dementia.
Upcoming Dementia Friendly performances include:
Sleeping Beauty– Tue 16 Dec at 5.30pm
If you have any questions about accessibilty or our access performance, please email access@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk or speak to our friendly Box Office staff.
