Archives: Venues

Situated in the heart of Manchester, the Royal Exchange is an award-winning producing Theatre with a history spanning five decades.

Known for producing classics such as William Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, Oscar Wilde, Noel Coward, and Anton Chekhov, we’re also one of the country’s leading theatres for new writing, with over 125 premieres in the theatre history!

Since it’s refurbishment following the Manchester bomb and the grant of Lottery Funding, The Royal Exchange is now a fully accessible venue. Includung access to all it’s facilities such as shop, cafe, bar, studio theatre and seminar rooms.

A wide range of theatre productions performed ‘in the round’

The Royal Exchange Theatre is committed to improving access for all theatre-goers and aims to ensure that disabled visitors have an enjoyable experience. We have wheelchair spaces and a lift in St Ann’s Square, providing level access to all floors. We also welcome guide dogs and hearing dogs.

To find out more access information visit http://www.royalexchange.co.uk/page.aspx?page=510

The Palace Theatre of Varieties opened on Whit Monday 1891 and had cost its owners the then colossal sum of £40,500. The seating capacity at the time was 3,675 and ticket prices ranged from 6d in the balcony to 4/- in the stalls. All the great names from the Music Hall era appeared in the following two decades including Marie Lloyd, Harry Lauder, Little Tich, Lillie Langtry, Vesta Tilley and Charlie Chaplin.

In 1913, the interior of the theatre was renovated under the direction of architect Bertie Crew and re-opened after seven months with Harry Houdini – and a much reduced seating capacity of 2600! The Palace Theatre, always in tune to the taste of the audience, captured the heady atmosphere of the 1920’s and 1930’s with extravagant revues, full-length musicals and lavish pantomimes. The 1940’s brought the stars of radio whilst the 1950’s and 1960’s saw everything from ballet to be-bop, opera to rock ‘n’ roll, Hamlet to Look Back in Anger and The Dancing Years to Guys and Dolls.

In the late 1970’s the Palace Theatre underwent a major refurbishment, extending the stage and dressing room facilities to accommodate such high-profile companies as the Covent Garden Opera and the Kirov Ballet and restoring the auditorium and Front of House facilities to their Edwardian splendor.

The Theatre re-opened in 1981 with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar and has retained its position as the premier provincial touring venue with productions ranging from Nicholas Nickleby to Les Miserables; the Covent Garden Opera to Saturday Night Fever; Luciano Pavarotti to Victoria Wood and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast to King Lear.

Chronicling its great history, the Palace Theatre has an extensive programme archive, a 1,000 Hall of Fame named supplement, detailed prime source material from the 1890’s and a thirty-page history of the theatre.

The Palace Theatre regularly schedule BSL, Audio Described and Captioned performances, for more information or a full list please call Gemma on 0161 245 6605 or emailmanchesteraccess@theambassadors.com

To plan your visit take look at their comprehensive assess information page

http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester/access/

“The Octagon creates theatrical experiences that inspire the people of Bolton and the North West.

We present annual seasons with a wide range of entertaining and thought-provoking productions that include Shakespeare, American drama, great European plays and contemporary classics, alongside brand new work, musicals, theatre for families and plays that are rooted in the culture of Bolton and the North West. Our opportunities for learning and participation enable people to realise their potential by expressing themselves and their stories. At the heart of our vision is a belief in the power of theatre to enrich lives, and a commitment to do so through artistic excellence and community engagement.”

Disabled Access and Blue Badge Holders
The Octagon has a flat foyer entrance, with lift access to the Main Auditorium and Bar. Wheelchair spaces are available in both theatre spaces (two in the Main Auditorium, several in the Studio Theatre), which must be booked in advance. Access to most of the seating requires the use of stairs; please mention any access requirements when booking. An accessible toilet is situated in the foyer. Parking for Blue Badge holders is available in a designated bay near to the theatre entrance. Wheelchair users and visually impaired customers are entitled to one free companion ticket.

To plan your visit in more detail please visit their comprehensive access information web page

http://www.octagonbolton.co.uk/access

The New Theatre, as it was named, opened on Boxing Day 1912. Struggling to compete with other establishments, it was sold to United Theatre Ltd in 1915 and was renamed the New Queens Theatre.

Between the years of 1916 and 1920, Sir Thomas Beecham chose to perform there on several occasions and it was in honour of this great man that, in August of that year, the theatre was renamed The Opera House.

Over the years this building has ‘seen’ life change around her. Surviving the Second World War, it operated as a cinema for a time and later became a bingo hall.

In 1984 the Opera House became a theatre once more and over the years, has staged the most magnificent shows such as Barnum, Phantom of the Opera, Oliver and many more.

After major refurbishment in 2003 the Opera House continues to attract the best in entertainment, standing proud on Quay Street as a part of Manchester History.

You can plan your visit by going to their comprehensive access information web page

http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester/access/