Access Performances

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience live theatre. We are striving to make our theatre as accessible as possible and recognise that not all disabilities are visible.

If you have any access needs, please get in touch via email on [email protected], or by phone on 01392 72 63 63 and we’ll gladly assist.

You can find a full list of upcoming access performances at the bottom of this page.

Audio Description

Audio description is a live verbal commentary on the visual elements of a production as it unfolds, such as actions, characters, costumes and sets. An audio describer delivers this information between the dialogue of a performance and anyone can listen to it via a headset. Audio-described performances also often include pre-show touch tours of the set.

Watch or listen to Audio Describer Harriet Godfrey talk about her role, what audiences can expect and why audio description is important.

Audio described performance icon

Touch Tours

In Conversation: Audio Description at the Northcott

Watch or listen to our Sales and Ticketing Manager and Audio Describer Guy Newman talk to audio description user Marylyn Lant about her experiences at our theatre over the past four decades.

 

 

British Sign Language Interpreted Performance

A British Sign Language performance is a show that’s interpreted into British Sign Language (BSL) by a qualified interpreter. The interpreter is positioned to one side of the stage or integrated as a character into the performance. Using their hands, facial expressions and body language, they help convey all the emotions and subtleties of what’s happening on stage.

We make sure to reserve the best seats with the clearest view of the interpreter for anyone who needs this service.

Watch or listen to Complete Communication‘s Managing Director and BSL-Interpreter Daryl McMullan explain how BSL-interpretation works at our theatre.

Sign language interpretation performance icon

Captioned Performance

If you attend a captioned performance, you’ll be able to read captions either on a screen or on your own device. These captions give you a written version of spoken dialogue (speech), as well as other sounds and musical cues. Captions are particularly helpful for people with hearing impairments or those who many have difficulty understanding accents, dialects, or fast-paced dialogue.

Captioned performance icon

Production shot from Extraordinary Bodies’ Human (2022). © Ali Wright.

Relaxed Performance

Relaxed performances are a lot more casual than a regular theatre performance:

• Our house lights (which illuminate our auditorium seating area) may be dimmed, but not completely darkened, to allow you to see and move around more easily.

• The performance will be tailored to accommodate those who may be sensitive to sound or lighting. The volume of the performance may be lower than usual, and there may be no sudden loud noises or flashing lights.

• Performers will have a more relaxed attitude to audience behaviour. There is no expectation for audience members to remain silent or still during the performance.

• You are welcome to leave the auditorium and re-enter as needed.

Relaxed performance icon

Hearing Loop System

Our Box Office and auditorium have an accessible hearing system, which transmits audio to hearing aids or specially provided headphones (which can be collected from the Box Office). The system can also be accessed via the Sennheiser MobileConnect app, which is available on both iOS and Android devices.

Hearing System icon

Upcoming Access Performances

A close-up of Steve Backshall. In the background, you can see a shark in the ocean and a diver swimming nearby. Text reads: Phil and Nigel McIntyre by arrangement with JSM Events present Steve Backshall Ocean; Brining marine dreams to life; Making a splash around the UK Autumn 2023!
Steve Backshall – Ocean
Sat 23 Dec 2023
The Great Hall
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Exeter Northcott Theatre and Le Navet Bete's Dick Whittington artwork. Background: a foggy panorama photo of the city of London, with iconic buildings such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and St Paul's Cathedral. The cityscape is washed over with a burgundy haze. Foreground: A black and white cat (black body, white neck collar, white paws) looks towards the cityscape and we see them in near silhouette. They are stood on a yellow-brick path, with green grassy hills either side of them. On the hills, grey rats with large red eyes. On the left hand side of the cat, a rat holds a stereotypical hobo sack on a stick. At the top of the artwork, gold text reads: 'Exeter Northcott Theatre and Le Navet Bete present Dick Whittington.' Another group of rats with large red eyes are playing around the letters in 'Dick Whittington'. A cat paw icon replaces the dot on top of the letter 'I' in 'Dick', and a block of cheese replaces the dot on top of the second letter 'I' in 'Whittington.
Dick Whittington
Thu 07 Dec 2023 – Sun 07 Jan 2024
Northcott Theatre
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Nativity! The Musical promotional artwork - Small white text at the top of the image reads 'An Exeter Little Theatre Company production'. Red sparkly text reading 'Nativity!' with small gold sparkly text underneath reading 'The Musical'. A golden moon and golden stars hang from golden strings from the top of the image. The background is a dark blue starry sky with little golden dots. White text at the bottom of the image reads 'Book & lyrics by Debbie Isitt; Music by Debbie Isitt and Nicky Ager; Orchestrations by George Dyer'.Further text reads: ' 1 - 9 December2023; Barnfield Theatre, Barnfield Road, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1SN, Box Office 01392 726363, Online www.exeternorthcott; This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI www.mtishows.co.uk'.
Nativity! The Musical
Wed 06 Dec 2023 – Sat 09 Dec 2023
Barnfield Theatre
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Dear Santa promotional image - An illustration of a gift-wrapped Christmas present with a gift tag that reads: 'From Santa'. Either side of the present are circles with blue bows sticking out the top. The one on the left contains text reading 'From the creator of Dear Zoo' and an illustration of the Dear Zoo cover art. In the second circle, text reads: 'Meet Santa; Every child gets a free gift!' Main text at the top of the picture reads: 'Live on stage; Dear Santa; by Rod Campbell'. The background is red with white dots and there is a golden border on each side with winter holly leaves in each corner.
Dear Santa
Wed 13 Dec 2023 – Sun 24 Dec 2023
Barnfield Theatre
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More Information You May Find Useful

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