Access Guide

We want to make your visit as enjoyable and as stress-free as possible.

Our Building

From the entrance on Cambridge Street, there is level access to our Box Office area, and lift access to the Bar and theatre spaces downstairs. If you require lift access to our theatre spaces, please notify our Sales and Welcome team when making your booking on 0131 228 1404 or boxoffice@traverse.co.uk. On arrival you can use the lift down to the Bar where you can enjoy a pre-theatre drink. On hearing the ‘house open’ tannoy announcement please make your way back to the lift where you will be met by the Duty Manager who will accompany you down to the theatre levels.

We have an accessible toilet in out bar area and gender neutral toilets. Everyone is free to use the toilet that best suits their gender identity.

Guide dogs and hearing dogs are always welcome.

Please be aware that, in the event of an emergency evacuation, there may be as many as five flights of stairs (56 steps) to ascend in order to reach ground level. In such a scenario, we have two evacuation chairs available to assist patrons with accessibility needs in exiting the building.

Wheelchair Users

There are wheelchair spaces available in both theatre spaces - please reserve with our Sales & Welcome Team when making your booking so we can offer you the best service for your needs. Level access for Traverse 2 involves a long walk, but we have two wheelchairs available for visitors' ease of use.

Fat Accessibility Information

Traverse 1

Traverse 1 has bench seating, there are no limits to the width of each individual seat. There are no armrests. There are seats with no one next to them at the end of each row.

Traverse 2

Seats in Traverse 2 are 500mm wide with fixed in place armrests. There is very limited space in between seats. At the end of each row, there are seats with no one sitting next to them, although there is a railing for safety reasons.

If you have any questions regarding our Fat Accessibility please email our Sales and Welcome Team at boxoffice@traverse.co.ukwho will be able to advise further.

Accessible Performances

We have a range of Accessible Performances – a complete list is available in our Access Listings.

For all online performances subtitles, or a transcript will be available.

If you would like to use any of the following services, please let us know at the time of booking by emailing boxoffice@traverse.co.uk, and make yourself known to the Front of House team on arrival, as they will be expecting you.

Audio Described Performances

Audio description is a way of communicating the visual elements of a production for visually impaired audience members. Information is relayed as a live commentary to a personal headset. These can be collected from a member of our Front of House team 30 minutes before the performance.

Touch Tours

Touch tours give a guided tour of the stage set to visually impaired audience members prior to the start of an Audio Described performance.

Signed/BSL Interpreted Performances

An interpreter stands at the side of the stage and interprets dialogue, songs and sound effects for D/deaf audience members.

Hearing Enhancement

Hearing enhancement supplies amplified sound to a personal headset. You can collect a set from a member of our Front of House team 30 minutes before the performance, but for sanitary reasons you will need to bring your own earphones in order to use one. This service is suitable for audience members with low to moderate hearing loss.

Captioned Performances

The actors' words appear on a display unit (or units) placed on the set or next to the stage at the same time as they are spoken or sung.

Relaxed Performances

Our Relaxed Performances are designed for audience members with a range of additional support needs, including autism spectrum conditions, learning disabilities and anyone who may benefit from a more relaxed environment when visiting the theatre.

Some changes will be made to the presentation of the play and audience members can exit/enter the auditorium as they wish. For more details on how a production particular has been adapted for a relaxed performance, please contact a member of our Box Office team. Also, audience members can receive a free visual guide to the story before attending the performance.

If you would like to discuss any additional access requirements with our team, please don't hesitate to contact us on 0131 228 1404 or at boxoffice@traverse.co.uk.

Young Children Policy

The Traverse is a family-friendly theatre, but it’s always worth checking if a performance is suitable for very young children.

As long as they’re sitting on the lap of an adult, there’s no charge for children under the age of 2, and no ticket is required.

We would kindly ask that those with Under 2s sit somewhere where it is easy to leave the theatre, in case your child becomes unsettled.

If a show is specifically made for very young children there may be a charge for tickets. Email boxoffice@traverse.co.uk if you are unsure.

Feedback

We are continually assessing our services and are grateful for any feedback regarding the accessibility of our building and programme. If you have any feedback, please contact our team, boxoffice@traverse.co.uk.

For more information on accessible performances in and around Edinburgh, visit the Access Scottish Theatre website.