Access is an important to ARC as part of our commitment to increasing opportunities in the arts for disabled people at every level. As part of our Cultural Shift programme we are assessing and improving the access we provide.

We have introduced a number of daytime family theatre performances and cinema screenings designed to make trips to ARC a more relaxed experience for learning disabled people, people with autism and people with sensory or neurological conditions. Relaxed performances have a number of distinguishing features:

  • Lower volume levels
  • No foyer music
  • Consistent lighting with auditorium lights on throughout
  • There is a relaxed attitude to noise and moving around the auditorium
  • You can reserve extra seats if you need space to be comfortable
  • If you prefer not to queue please let us know when booking
  • We can provide a chill out space should you need a break

Companion Tickets and Accessible Seating

A free ticket is available to a companion accompanying a disabled person to an event, where it is an access requirement. If you require accessible seating or have any access requirements, you can download our access form here. You can email it to [email protected], post it to ARC, Dovecot Street, Stockton on Tees, TS18 1LL, or bring this into our box office for this information to be added to your customer account. This will let our staff know your requirements, so you don’t need to explain every time you book.

Organisations and groups can also complete this form – you will just need to let us know the organisations name, the name of the person authorised to make bookings for your group, and let us know what the access requirements of members of the group are, including the ratio of companion tickets required for a group visit.

Contact us

If you would like to know more about our relaxed performances and screenings, please contact the Box Office on 01642 525199 or email [email protected] – we’re happy to talk to you about your family’s requirements.