Access and Support
We want Southwark Playhouse’s venues to be as welcoming and inclusive as possible.
We are working to ensure our spaces offer an open and accessible environment for all our audiences, participants, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
If you have any feedback on how we can improve, please let us know.
You can contact us by calling 020 7407 0234 or emailing boxoffice@southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
On This Page
This page outlines key venue information for patrons with access requirements, as well as a full list of upcoming accessible performances. Content and technical guidance can be found on production’s individual webpages.
Booking Tickets
Access tickets are available for every single performance at Southwark Playhouse.
Access tickets can be booked online or by calling our Box Office on 020 7407 0234.
To obtain the reduced access ticket rate and a free companion ticket, if required, ensure you are signed up to our free Access Membership.
We do not require any proof of disability for bookers to utilise our Access Membership. However, we do ask for some essential information when you register. This information will be used by our Box Office and Front of House teams to ensure that all bookers are supported through their visit.
How to Register for an Access Membership – BSL Instructions
About Our Venues
Southwark Playhouse Borough
Located on Newington Causeway in Elephant and Castle, Southwark Playhouse Borough is home to The Little auditorium, The Large auditorium, and our rehearsals spaces.
Southwark Playhouse Elephant
Located on Dante Place in Elephant and Castle, Southwark Playhouse Elephant is home to our Main Space auditorium and participation space.
Getting to Us
Want to know how to get to Southwark Playhouse’s venues? See more information on available transport routes below.
The nearest tube station to both venues is Elephant & Castle (Northern Line & Bakerloo Line)
For Southwark Playhouse Borough, take the London Southbank University exit. It is an estimated 5-minute walk from this exit to the theatre.
For Southwark Playhouse Elephant, take the Shopping Centre exit. It is an estimated 5-minute walk from this exit to the theatre.
Step-free access
Elephant & Castle is a partially step-free station. Step-free access is only available on southbound Northern line services.
Step-free access to northbound Northern line services can be found at Borough station, an estimated 8-minute walk from Southwark Playhouse Borough.
For Southwark Playhouse Borough, the nearest bus stops are:
- Elephant & Castle / Newington Causeway (Routes 35, 133, 343, 344, 468, and C10)
- Elephant & Castle / London Road (Routes 155, 171, 363)
For Southwark Playhouse Elephant, the nearest bus stops are:
- Newington Butts (Routes 133, 155, 196, 333, and 415)
- Elephant & Castle Station (Routes 12, 35, 40, 68, 133, 136, 148, 155, 171, 176, 196. 333, 343, 415, 468 and P5)
It is an estimated 5-minute walk between Elephant & Castle Train Station (Thameslink) and Southwark Playhouse Borough.
It is an estimated 7-minute walk between Elephant & Castle Train Station (Thameslink) and Southwark Playhouse Elephant.
We do not recommend attempting to access the theatre via car. There is very minimal parking in the neighbouring area.
The nearest Blue Badge parking can be found at:
- YourParkingSpace Limited, Waterloo Hub Hotel & Suites, SE1 7BJ – See on Google Maps here: https://bit.ly/YourParkingSpace-Waterloo
- NCP, London Bridge, SE1 3RU (24 hours) – See on Google Maps here: https://bit.ly/NCP-LondonBridge
Support Available for Your Visit
We’ve answered some commonly asked questions below about what support is available when visiting Southwark Playhouse. If your question isn’t covered in the answers below, please reach out to us directly and we’d be happy to help.
Can I visit the theatre ahead of my booking?
Yes, of course! If you’re new to either of Southwark Playhouse’s venues and would like to check us out before your trip, you are welcome to come by for a pre-visit during the day (Monday-Saturday 12pm-9.30pm). A member of the team will be around to answer any questions and make a note of any requests you have for your visit.
Can I find out technical and content guidance ahead of my visit?
Productions may have various special effects included (such as haze, flashing lights, and loud noises) or may include themes or imagery that may be distressing.
Information about a show’s content and technical elements is added to each individual production page once it has been confirmed. (Please note: sometimes this is not until the day of the first performance).
If you have any specific questions about the content within any of our shows, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Can I bring my assistance dog?
Assistance dogs are welcome in both of our theatres. We recommend booking or requesting an aisle seat, or alternatively our staff are happy to dog-sit for you.
Can I leave or enter the auditorium whilst the show is happening?
If you are late or leave the auditorium during the show, our Front of House team will always endeavour to help seat you where possible.
However, during our shows, performers often use the same entrances and exits as the audience and for some shows, exiting the space may require you to go across the stage. This can make admitting latecomers and re-admitting anyone who leaves during the show difficult.
If you have any questions about admission or are worried about needing re-admittance, please get in touch and we can advise.
How do I identify a staff member?
If you require assistance from a member of staff, they can be identified by their red lanyards with the Southwark Playhouse logo.
Our volunteer ushers wear black lanyards with white text reading ‘volunteer’.
Access Performances
Unfortunately, Southwark Playhouse cannot guarantee the provision of accessible performances as they are at the discretion of the visiting company; however, we can let you know when they have been programmed.
You can opt in to to hear about upcoming access performances by joining our mailing list when registering for an access membership.
Captioned Performances
What is a Captioned performance?
Captioned performances feature a digital screen located either at the side of the stage, or above performer’s heads. Operated live by a member of Southwark Playhouse’s captioning team, the screen displays captions of the performance in English.
Everyone is welcome at a Captioned performance, but these performances may be particularly beneficial for Deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing audience members, for people who don’t speak English as their first language, and for anyone who finds captions helpful.
Upcoming Captioned performances
Bury The Hatchet – Thursday 3 September, 7.30pm
Night City – Wednesday 23 September, 7.30pm
Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky – Wednesday 30 September, 7pm
Jane Eyre – Tuesday 13 October, 7pm
Dog Mom – Wednesday 28 October, 7.30pm
Memoriam – Thursday 5 November, 7pm
NERO – Tuesday 24 November, 7pm
Relative Motion – Thursday 26 November, 7.30pm
Private Jones – 14 December – 30 January – All performances of Private Jones feature integrated BSL and live creative captioning
BSL Interpreted performances
What is a BSL Interpreted performance?
BSL (or British Sign Language) Interpreted performances feature a clearly lit interpreter (usually located at the side of the stage) who will use British Sign Language to interpret the show live.
BSL performances provide some Deaf or hard of hearing patrons with a way to access theatre using their first or preferred language of communication.
When booking for BSL performances, the seating map will highlight the best seats to book in order to see the interpreter clearly. If this information is not visible, please speak to our Box Office team.
Upcoming BSL Interpreted performances
Private Jones – Tuesday 5 January, 7pm (please also note that all performances of Private Jones feature integrated BSL and live creative captioning)
Relaxed performances
What is a Relaxed performance?
Relaxed performances include adjusted lighting levels, reduced sound levels, and adjusted or removed visual special effects to make the performance more accessible for people with sensory sensitivities or anyone who is unsure about how they may respond to the theatre environment.
Upcoming Relaxed performances
Jane Eyre – Saturday 26 September, 2.30pm – Relaxed Environment performance (see the production webpage to find out more)
