Decent access to fantastic West End show Operation Mincemeat
4
4
Date of visit: April 2025
I am a disabled person. chalengess experiente moving around
chalenges mobility scooter, mobility scooter, powerchair
overall Rating Text
Good
I had a rather unpromising start with the Fortune Theatre, as I initially wanted to see Operation Mincemeat around Christmas time but was told the wheelchair lift was broken and there was little prospect of fixing it until March. However, things soon improved, as the theatre took my email address to let me know when the lift was fixed and then did actually follow through on their promise. With the lift fixed, the next step was to get some accessible tickets. You can do this by joining the ATG ticketing service's accessibility scheme, but it turns out that there's not a great deal to be gained by doing this, as Operation Mincemeat doesn't offer free essential companion tickets for wheelchair-users. I think this is connected to the policy that every seat in the venue is priced the same on any particular date, so the way to get cheaper tickets is simply to go on a day when they're showing on the calendar as cheaper (usually on a Monday). Then, if you need step-free access to your seat, do what I did and book in Row F in the dress circle. You can also book a wheelchair and companion place in that row, which as I say isn't discounted but does mean the staff will remove a seat for you if you need to stay in your wheelchair (I can transfer and shuffle along a row so didn't need this myself). To use the wheelchair lift up to Dress Circle Row F, I went into the theatre entrance (no steps) and got the attention of a staff member, who then took me back outside and round to a side door where the lift is. The staff were pleasant and helpful and the show was amazing - really the hot ticket in the West End at the moment after winning Olivier awards - so I'm really glad I persevered with the booking after the initial disappointment of the lift being out of order.
disabled Access In AndAround Text
Good
I've explained this in my main review
Accessible facilities: Lift to some areas, Step-free entrance
parkingTransport Text
Average
I travelled to this place by personal vehicle
We did some research into parking in the borough before we went, and found that you can park in most resident bays after 6.30. There are some multi-storey car parks in the vicinity, but they're quite expensive and we didn't need them.
Accessible facilities: On-street parking
accessibleToilets Text
Good
There was a good-sized, clean accessible loo near the wheelchair lift, and I think it had a Euan's Guide card on the emergency cord
Facilities: Accessible toilet
staff Text
Good
