Accessibility
The Princess Theatre is a venue for everyone and we work hard to make our shows and events safe and accessible for all. We’ve put together the below information about the venue but if there is anything missing or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Accessibility & Ticketing Contacts
Phone: 1300 11 10 11 (option 2)
Email: [email protected]
Click here for a downloadable PDF version of this information page with images.
- Ticket Bookings
Accessible tickets for the Princess Theatre can be purchased by calling us on 1300 11 10 11 (option 2), Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm or by emailing [email protected].
Tickets are also available from the Regent Theatre box office located at 191 Collins Street, Melbourne (accessible via stairs only) from Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm, and 90 minutes prior to performances.
For in person bookings with wheelchair access please visit Her Majesty’s Theatre box office located at 225 Exhibition Street, Melbourne and open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Online accessible bookings are also now available for our events. Please click here to find our more.
To arrange a Companion Card ticket or wheelchair seat please call or email us before the show.
Phone: 1300 11 10 11 (option 2)
Email: [email protected]- Companion Cards
Companion Cards are accepted for all performances at the Princess Theatre and can be booked directly with the Box Office on 1300 11 10 11 (option 2). Companion Card tickets can only be collected from the Box Office from an hour prior to the performance. The Companion Card must be presented before tickets can be handed to the patron.
- Arriving at the Princess Theatre
Entry to the Princess Theatre is via Spring Street, there are several glass doors that are kept open prior to the performance and during interval. There is a single step through these doorways. A ramp is available at the doors to the far left of the frontage, located closest to the Federici Bistro, for patrons requiring step-free access.
A Front of House staff member will scan your ticket at the glass doors before entry into the theatre.
The Box Office is located within the Stalls foyer, toward the left-hand side. It is clearly signed and has a counter approximately 1m high.
Foyers
Stalls: The Stalls foyer is a tiled area. All counters in the foyer area are high. There is a slight rise into the auditorium before the tiled surface gives way to carpet. There is limited seating available.
There are bars, toilets, the box office, and merchandise available on this level.
Dress Circle: The Dress Circle foyer area is carpeted and tiled. Please note there is no lift access to the Dress Circle. There are 33 stairs leading to the Dress Circle, they are made of marble and have three thick handrails. There are a further twosteps to access the bar, merchandise stall, and Female toilets within the foyer.
The counters in the Dress Circle are approximately 1.2m high.
There is limited seating available, primarily in the Wintergarden Bar.
Grand Circle: The Grand Circle is not equipped with a full foyer; it is accessed via a large landing. Please note there is no lift access to the Grand Circle. There are two staircases leading up to the third level - directly from the Stalls foyer (69 stairs with handrails) or via the Dress Circle foyer (33 stairs to the Dress Circle, then 40 stairs to Grand Circle, 73 stairs total). There are Male and Female toilets available on the Grand Circle level. Other amenities can be accessed from the Dress Circle or Stalls foyer.
Auditorium
The Princess Theatre is a fully seated venue over three levels. All seats fold down and forward, leaving more room between rows when seats are unoccupied.
There is no lift access to the Dress Circle or Grand Circle at the Princess Theatre.
Stalls: There are no steps from the foyer into the Stalls auditorium. Seating is mildly raked, and partially staggered, with greater stagger toward the outsides. Seating has one central aisle and two outside aisles, providing plenty of aisle seats. There are no handrails within the Stalls aisles.
From the last four or five rows (Row R – Row V), view of the stage above actor’s head height is affected by the Dress Circle overhang.
Seats 18 – 21 in Row Q are bariatric seats. Please contact the Box Office on 1300 11 10 11 (option 2) for assistance with booking to request these seats. Please note these seats are limited and it is recommended to book early.
Dress Circle: The Dress Circle has two internal aisles, and two outside aisles. There are no handrails within the internal aisles. The side aisles have a handrail. There is 14 stairs to the front of the Dress Circle (Row A). Seating in the Dress Circle is stepped and mildly tiered.
Grand Circle: There are two internal aisles, and two outside aisles. There are segmented handrails on the internal aisles, and the aisle steps are irregular. The outside aisles have unbroken handrails. There are 37 stairs to the front of the Grand Circle (Row A). There are three stairs to the back of the Grand Circle (Row N).
Seating within the Grand Circle is stepped and steeply tiered and is not suitable for patrons who experience vertigo. It advised to book tickets in the Stalls.
- Bathrooms
Stalls: Male and Female toilets are located to the right-hand side of the foyer, past toe Merchandise kiosk. There are no stairs to access the Male toilets, and nine stairs down, with handrails, to access the Female toilets. Both have an ambulant toilet available.
Dress Circle: There are two steps with no handrail into the Female toilets in the Dress Circle foyer. There are no steps to the Male toilets in the Dress Circle foyer. Male and Female toilets are located at the Little Bourke Street end.
Grand Circle: There are 11 stairs from the Grand Circle auditorium to the landing area. The Female toilets have no further steps to access and include an ambulant toilet. The Male toilets are down four stairs with handrails and include an ambulant toilet.
Accessible & Gender Neutral: There is a unisex accessible toilet located between the Male and Female toilets at the Little Bourke Street end of the Stalls foyer. It is visibly signed.
It is a right-hand side accessible bathroom.
Infant change facilities: The Princess Theatre does not have infant change facilities.
Adult change facilities: The Princess Theatre does not have an accessible adult change facility within the venue. Please visit https://changingplaces.org.au/find-a-toilet/find-changing-places-toilet/ for information on the nearest public adult change facility.
- Theatre Bars
Stalls: There is a bar located within the Stalls foyer at street level. There are multiple points of service and a defined queue.
Dress Circle: There is a bar located within the Dress Circle foyer. It has a long counter with multiple points of service and a defined queue.
Grand Circle: The Grand Circle does not have a bar.
- Merchandise
There are two merchandise locations at the Princess Theatre. One is a kiosk in the Stalls foyer, located toward the Little Bourke Street end of the venue. There is one step into the stall, with a portable ramp available. The other is a long counter located in the Dress Circle foyer, next to the bar.
- Lighting
There is low lighting in the venue as needed for shows. All walkways and aisles are clearly marked, however if you have low vision and need assistance, please let us know, our staff will be happy to help.
We will always try and make sure there is signage for any shows with strobe lighting, however this may not always be possible. If you have any concerns about strobe or flash lighting for any show you are attending, please contact us or speak to a Front of House staff member within the venue, and we will do our best to give you as much information as we can.
- Facilities for hard of hearing or deaf patrons
Assistive Listening Devices: The Princess Theatre provides personal induction neck loops free of charge from the cloakroom, located to the left of Door 1 in the Stalls foyer. Patrons with hearing aids can utilise them by switching the “T” Switch, or Telecoil position. We can also provide headsets upon request.
Our Assistive Listening Devices are compatible with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack if patrons wish to bring their own headsets.
We aim to do our best and ensure patrons using Assistive Listening Devices can experience the show fully. If there are any issues with a device, please see a Front of House staff member for assistance.
AUSLAN Interpreted and Captioned Performances: Some productions will schedule captioned and/or AUSLAN interpreted performances. To book seats with the best view of the interpreter or captioning monitor, a unique ticketing link will often be available via AUSLAN Stage Left’s webpage or can be booked by emailing us at [email protected].
- Facilities for people with mobility impairments
Patrons with mobility impairments are strongly advised to book Stalls seating. There is no lift access to the Dress or Grand Circle. Frames and crutches are stored in the recesses in front and back of stalls, or in the cloakroom and returned at interval and conclusion of performances. Patrons are advised of the storage area, and all items are marked with the patron’s row and seat number.
- Facilities for wheelchair users
There are four wheelchair positions at the Princess Theatre stalls, each with associated companion seats. The allocated seats for the wheelchair position are removable if a patron prefers to remain in a wheelchair; or can remain in situ if they prefer to transfer to a theatre seat. Please indicate preference when booking.
Patrons should direct booking enquiries for wheelchair positions to Box Office on 1300 11 10 11 (option 2) or email us at [email protected]. Wheelchair positions can also be booked in person at the Regent Theatre Box Office (accessible via stairs only) Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm, or the Princess Theatre Box Office 90 minutes prior to performances.
Wheelchair entry to the venue is via the left most set of glass doors, where a small ramp is located. Once inside the foyer, there are no stairs through to the auditorium.
- Facilities for people with low vision or blindness
Seats close to the stage can be requested when booking tickets. Please book through Box Office on 1300 11 10 11 (option 2) or by emailing [email protected].
Some shows have audio described performances – please check the show information page for a booking link. For further information, direct enquiries to Vision Australia
- Support animals and guide dogs
Support and assistance animals are welcome at the Princess Theatre. We encourage you to contact the Box Office on 1300 11 10 11 prior to the show so we can arrange assistance with entry if required.
Please be aware that the venue can be a noisy and busy environment, so you may want to consider the use of an alternative aid when attending a show.
Water bowls can be provided for Guide Dogs upon request.
- Quiet spaces
The Princess Theatre does not have a dedicated quiet space. During the show, the foyers are quiet, well-lit and have seating available. Patrons with sensory sensitivities may find the theatrical experience overwhelming. There are aisle seats available for booking in case a quick exit is required. Please call Box Office on 1300 11 10 11 (option 2) or email [email protected] for assistance booking.
Please note that once exiting the auditorium, patrons may have to wait until a suitable break in the performance to be re-admitted to their seats.
The Princess Theatre currently has soft, in-ear earplugs available for patrons upon request. Ask a Front of House staff member for assistance.
The current production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Princess Theatre has provided a screen with a live feed of the stage in the Stalls foyer for patrons who wish to continue watching the performance after stepping out of the auditorium.
- Feedback and suggestions
If you have any questions or specific needs, please let us know.
When at the venue, please speak to any of our venue staff who are always happy to assist.
If you have any suggestions for what we could do better, or a general enquiry, please email us at [email protected].