FAQs

About Barbican Theatre

Corona Virus Update (Updated January 2022)
In accordance with current best practice we ask that visitors continue to wear a face covering in the Barbican Theatre at all times, unless medically exempt. The theatre is cleaned regularly and there are sanitising points throughout the building as well as increased ventilation, which may make it a little colder than usual.
Who are we?

Barbican Theatre is a dynamic charity started in 1980 with emerging artists, young people and the development of talent at the heart of all that we do.

Our ambition has been to raise the standard of dance and theatre performance being produced by, with and for young people. We seek to challenge what traditional notions of theatre and dance are and liberate the imagination of young people to create fresh and exciting work that comes from new and unusual voices – voices that are often unheard.

We challenge our young people to work hard at their craft and develop creative and social skills which enhance their learning, resilience and determination to succeed in whatever career path they choose.

What opportunities are there to work at Barbican Theatre?

Current vacancies and information about working with us (including any work experience opportunities) can be found at Jobs & Opportunities

What spaces can I hire at Barbican Theatre ?

For more information see our Hiring Our Spaces page

Tickets & Booking

When are tickets released?

Tickets are released as far in advance of show dates as we can. When new shows go on sale we usually announce them first on our social media pages and also to our email subscribers.

 

How do I book tickets?

Website

The easiest way to book tickets for performances at Barbican Theatre is on this website You can book 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and have access to view the seating plan and choose your seats.

 

 

How can I pay?

You can pay online using a card. We do not accept theatre tokens or theatre vouchers.

How many tickets can I buy?

Bookings are limited to 8 tickets per performance per customer online. For larger bookings, please email info@barbicantheatre.co.uk

Pay What You Decide

Any show, event or workshop labelled as Pay What You Decide means you don’t have to pay until after you have seen the show!
Do I need to book a ticket?
Yes, if you’d like to make sure you can watch the show or attend the workshop please book tickets in advance as usual. These tickets can be booked at no charge as there is no obligation for you to pay until after you have seen the show or attended the workshop (or if you prefer you can pay when you book as there are tickets with monetary value you an add to your cart).
When do I pay?
You can pay what you decide when you book your tickets on this website or after you have watched the show via cash or contactless card.

Concessions

The majority of the shows we programme are Pay What You Decide, however on certain shows we will offer a 'full price' and 'concession price'. The concession price is available to those to whom the pricing would be a barrier, we are happy for you to self identify.

Booking Fees & Charges

Ticket prices listed included a per ticket/person commission, which cover some of our Box Office costs – this includes staffing, system costs, and website hosting costs. We include this commission in the price of tickets to ensure this doesn’t get added as an extra charge when you book.

Tickets are the same price whether you pay by cash, card or cheque.

Can you post my tickets?

We are now operating a paperless box office in line with our ambitions to be an environmentally responsible organisation, as such we are not posting tickets.

Ticket Reservation

Subject to availability, tickets can be reserved without payment for a maximum of three working days. Should bookings not be confirmed after this period, tickets may be returned to general sale without warning (we will try to contact you to warn you before we do)

Exchanges & Refunds

Once purchased, tickets and donations may not be refunded unless a performance is postponed or cancelled.

In the instance that a performance is sold out we will attempt to sell on your tickets, with a resale fee of £1 per ticket, if we have the capacity however we cannot guarantee this.

Only tickets purchased via Barbican Theatre or its approved agents are valid for admission. Tickets are non-transferrable, and may not be sold on for commercial gain – any tickets purchased through unapproved channels will be deemed invalid, and admission will therefore be refused.

If the performance I want is sold out, how can I get tickets? Are there any last minute tickets?

Any tickets returned to us in advance will be offered for re-sale to those on our waiting list on a first come first served basis. To be added to a waiting list please email info@barbicantheatre.co.uk detailing the performance, date and time and how many tickets you’re looking for along with the best way to contact you (ideally mobile and email) Reselling tickets cannot be guaranteed.

Please also follow our Twitter account and Facebook page to receive the latest news and updates on any last minute releases.

My tickets haven’t arrived – what can I do?

If your e-tickets have not arrived the day before the event please email info@barbicantheatre.co.uk

Why do I have to give my personal details when booking a ticket?

Contact information is helpful for us to have in case there is a problem with your ticket or the performance and we need to get in touch. We will not sell your details or add you to a mailing list without your consent.

If you buy a ticket on our website, we collect your name, address and email address. We also process your payment card information – although we don’t handle it directly or retain it: it’s all dealt with by our payment processor.

We will use the information we’ve collected to handle your admission to the event for which you’ve bought tickets; to process and track your payments and to deal with any issues that may arise.

For more details see our Privacy Policy

Accessibility

How can people in a wheelchair or with limited mobility access Barbican Theatre and The B-Bar?

Barbican Theatre & The B-Bar

The Barbican Theatre building has step free access from arrival with a lift that can access all floors including The B-Bar on the ground floor, auditorium and studio on the first floor and offices on the first and second floors (this lift can be used by wheelchair users). There is wheelchair accessible seating available in Row B which is in blue on the seating plan, if you require wheelchair accessible seating please add an 'Access Member' membership to your profile and you will have exclusive access to these seats.

Getting to Barbican Theatre:  While the Barbican Theatre building is accessible to those who use wheelchairs or with limited mobility, given the historic nature of the Barbican with it’s narrow and often cobbled streets accessibility for those with limited mobility before your arrival can be challenging.

Access from Southside Street (main Barbican street) is via a narrow cobbled road or some very steep steps that lead to our building entrance. Access from Castle Street is via a tarmac road leading to a cobbled path to the theatre entrance.

 

Is there a heering loop?

Barbican Theatre 

There is a hearing loop installed in our auditorium, which works through a hearing aid's 'T' setting.

What is the seating like?

Barbican Theatre Auditorium

The seating in the raked area, the seating has arms. Seat - 17in/43cm Wide, 18in/46cm Long. Back - 20in/51cm Wide, 19in/48cm Long

Please get in contact if you do not think this seating will work for you and we can explore options.

If you are seated in 'the pit' (row X & Y) the seats often do no have arms, they are not fixed seating and are added for each event.

What are the toilet options?

Barbican Theatre

There is an accessible all genders upstairs at Barbican theatre on the same level as the auditorium.

B-bar

The B-bar has gendered toilets and an accessible toilet.

 

Can you describe what I'm likely to expect from a sensory point of view?

Barbican Theatre

When you come up the stairs toward the Barbican Theatre the stairs are lit, there isn't music playing but you can often hear music or people in the B-Bar. The theatre itself has lower lighting to walk into and the seating will be dark during performances. The sound and lighting is different for each show, we try to give warnings for any triggers, loud noises or flashing lights in pre show emails and on our notice screens.

B-bar

The B-bar has recorded music playing during the day and a moderate level and the space is well lit, during the evening there are often live music events which are louder and it's likely to be busier and slight lower lighting.

 

Food & Drink

Is there a bar and restaurant at the venue?

For details of bar and food available at Barbican Theatre please click here 

Glass is not allowed into performances and you will be asked to decant your drinks into a plastic glass before entering the auditorium.

Can I bring my own food and drink into performances?

You may bring small quantities of sweets / snacks and soft drinks into performances (no glass allowed). Hot food, alcoholic or hot drinks purchased outside of the venue are not permitted. We would ask you to be considerate of other audience members if you do bring drinks, sweets or snacks into the auditorium (we all know how annoying rustling wrappers can be!) Please ensure you use the bins provided to dispose of any rubbish as you leave.

Parking & Public Transport

Where are the nearest carparks?

Barbican Theatre / The B-Bar

The nearest car park (with disabled spaces) is at Elphinstone (Plymouth City Council owned) which is a five minute walk from the theatre. There is also a privately owned car park on Lambhay Hill which is closer but more suited to those able to use steps.

What buses serve the venue?

Barbican Theatre / The B-Bar

Barbican Theatre is a short walk from the Mayflower Steps bus stop (on Commercial Road) served by Plymouth Citybus service 25

During the summer season Citybus’  Ocean City Sights open top  also serves the Mayflower Steps bus stop (which is ideal for those travelling to Plymouth by train as it also serves Plymouth Train Station’s North Road East stop)

Alternatively Plymouth City Centre is a 10 minute walk from Barbican Theatre, which is served by most local bus operators.

Lost Property

If you believe you have left something in the auditorium, bar or another part of the theatre please email info@barbicantheatre.co.uk and we will check our lost property box for you (our Front Of House team hand in anything they find at the end of their shift).

Lost property will be held for 28 days and if not claimed will be disposed of (unless the item is perishable - in that case items are disposed of immediately)

We may request proof of ownership / identification for higher value items (such as mobile phones, wallets or jewellery).

Photography and Filming

Can I take photos/videos inside the building?

Due to performance copyright, safeguarding of minors and data protection filming and photography during performances is prohibited unless otherwise stated at a performance or advanced permission granted. Barbican Theatre and it's partners reserve the right to delete or destroy any such recorded material made without permission.

Barbican Theatre and The B-Bar may carry out general filming, sound recording or photography in or around the venue. By purchasing tickets or visiting the bar you and your party are consenting to being filmed, recorded or photographed. If you would like any further information on this please contact info@barbicantheatre.co.uk

Relaxed Performances

What is a Relaxed Performance?

A relaxed performance is ideal for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment – including those with an autism spectrum condition or learning disability.

What’s different?

– the lights in the audience will be up so that it’s not too dark
– you can make noise during the show
– you can come and go as you please
– small changes will be made to the lights and sound so that the performance is more accessible if you have sensory sensitivities.

You can search for Relaxed Performances by clicking on the 'Relaxed Performances' option in the left hand category filter in the  What's On section of this website?

Be first in the know! - If you want to find out new shows on sale, special offers or just know what Barbican Theatre are up to please subscribe to our email updates.