Explore our access facilities
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Clear signage is available throughout the building.
Our Venue Information Pack outlines all of our facilities and offers useful information to help you prepare for your visit.
Want to see any of the spaces before your visit? Contact Box Office and we’ll see if we can help.
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We have gender-specific, gender-neutral and accessible toilets available.
Right-hand transfer accessible toilets are located on the second floor. A left-hand transfer accessible toilet is available on the ground floor.
We also have baby changing facilities.
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Assistance dogs are welcome at the theatre and we can take care of them for you during performances if necessary.
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There is step-free access to all levels. We have level access to our Adventure Theatre, Clore Learning Studio, café, shop and outdoor play and garden spaces.
There is a lift to our Y C Chan Theatre, The Nest (rehearsal and community space) and meeting room. Speak to a member of our Visitor Services team if you require assistance.
There are automatic doors at the front of the building.
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Our Sensory Suite in the Clore Learning Studio is available for private hire as well as workshops.
If you need a quiet space whilst visiting, just let us know – we’ll help you to find it.
During a performance in the Y C Chan Theatre, there is a breakout space outside the auditorium, where you can continue to watch the show on the TV live feed. If you need a breakout space during a show in the Adventure Theatre, speak to a member of the team who will assist.
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Our Y C Chan Theatre, Adventure Theatre and The Nest rehearsal space are fitted with an induction loop system for hearing aid users. Please reach out to our Box Office team to find out more.
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Bus routes 57, 93, 131, & 219 stop approximately 25 metres from Polka.
Wimbledon Mainline Station & Tube Station (District Line) are 800 metres from the theatre (approximately 15 minutes walking). There are lifts from the platform to street level.
A taxi rank can be found outside the main entrance of the station.
South Wimbledon Tube Station (Northern Line) is 700 metres from the theatre (approximately 10 minutes walking).
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Blue Badge holders may park on the single lines in front of the theatre for up to 3 hours.
Blue Badge holders can park in the Pay and Display bays near the theatre on Latimer Road and Bridges Road. There are two disabled spaces on Latimer Road.
Drop off is available at the front entrance.
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In the unlikely event of an emergency, you may be required to evacuate the building. To help prepare, read the below social story detailing our evacuation process.
Access performances
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An Audio Described performance offers live descriptive commentary of the show and it’s visual elements for blind or visually impaired patrons. The commentary is delivered during the performance through an earpiece, available to collect from Box Office before the show.
If you’re unsure what audio described means in theatre, it simply refers to a performance that includes live narration describing the visual action, characters, and scene changes on stage.
A scheduled Touch Tour is also available for Audio Described performances. This gives audiences a chance to meet the cast, touch the stage and selected props to help gain a sense of what will be happening during the performance. Carers, companions, and family members are welcome. Touch Tours must be booked in advance with the Box Office.
A pre-show introduction will be delivered 15 minutes before the show and will be available on our website a few days before the performance.
Anyone can go to an Audio Described performance.
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A British Sign Language performance or a BSL signed performance, provides Deaf or hard of hearing patrons with a way to access theatre using their first or preferred language of communication.
A BSL Interpreted performance features a BSL interpreter (usually located at the side of the stage) who interprets the show live. This is sometimes referred to as a BSL interpreted theatre performance.
If you’re unsure what a BSL show means, it simply refers to a theatre performance that includes British Sign Language to help make the production more accessible.
A BSL Integrated Performance will feature actors or BSL interpreters who use British Sign Language as part of the action on stage.
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A Captioned performance is designed to support Deaf or hard of hearing audience members, as well as those who may not speak English as their first language or who benefit from reading captions during a show.
In a Captioned performance in theatre, live captions display the dialogue and sound information in English. Captions usually appear on a digital screen positioned at the side of the stage, or may be integrated into the production itself.
If you are wondering what a Captioned performance means, it simply refers to a theatre performance where spoken dialogue and sound cues are captioned in real time, allowing audiences to follow the performance alongside the action on stage.
Anyone can go to a Captioned performance.
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While Relaxed performances are often associated with autism friendly theatre, they are designed to support a wide range of audiences, including neurodivergent and SEND audiences, as well as those with sensory sensitivities, first‑time theatre‑goers, and guardians who are unsure how their child might respond to the theatre setting.
At Polka, all performances offer a generally chilled environment, however a Relaxed performance introduces additional adjustments to reduce potential sensory barriers and support audience comfort.
What to expect at a Relaxed performance:
- Low‑level auditorium lighting and reduced sound levels
- Reduced or removed flashing lights and haze
- A smaller audience
- Designated chill‑out spaces
- Social Story packs, which provide detailed information about the venue and the show, including a scene‑by‑scene breakdown of what to expect
Relaxed performances welcome audience members who may need to move around, make noise, or leave and re‑enter the auditorium during the show.
Anyone can go to a Relaxed performance.
About the theatre spaces
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Seating
In our Y C Chan Theatre, seats are 500 millimetres (mm) wide and 490mm deep. The arms are 285mm long and 70mm wide. The Adventure Theatre is a mix of unreserved bench and floor seating.
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Accessing the auditorium
There is level access to our Adventure Theatre. The Y C Chan Theatre can be accessed via the stairs to the left of our Box Office or via a lift located at the end of our main corridor. The distance from our main entrance to the lift is 25 metres (m). The distance from the lift to the wheelchair spaces is 6-14m, depending on where you are seated. Please speak to a member of our Visitor Services team for support. They will be wearing a Polka Theatre lanyard or t-shirt.
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Access/Wheelchair spaces
There are 2 wheelchair spaces available in our Adventure Theatre and 6 wheelchair spaces available in our Y C Chan Theatre. Access/wheelchair spaces in our Y C Chan Theatre are 1x1m.
Any other questions?
Contact us at [email protected] or 020 8543 4888, we’ll be happy to help.
Accessibility at Polka
Our blog shares updates, insights, and behind‑the‑scenes content from Polka, including news about our work, productions, and how we aim to make our theatre welcoming and accessible for all audiences.
Read our latest news and updates on the Polka blog.
