VISUAL STORY
A visual guide to the venue designed primarily for autistic audience members.
A place for the future...
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Visual Story
This visual story has been designed for autistic audience members and visitors to Darlington Hippodrome. A visual story is a visual guide to the venue designed primarily for autistic audience members, audience members with sensory or communication difficulties, or a learning disability, to prepare them for their visit so they know what to expect.
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The Story Begins...
Darlington Hippodrome is located in the centre of Darlington on the corner of Parkgate and Borough Road. In 2017 it opened again after being closed for a restoration. Before the restoration it was called Darlington Civic Theatre. Here is a picture of Darlington Hippodrome.
The picture below shows the entrance to Darlington Hippodrome on the right.
I can visit Darlington Hippodrome to see a show, visit the cafĂŠ, purchase tickets or browse three gallery spaces. I can also attend workshops, open days and other special events. This is a close up picture of the entrance.
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As soon as I enter the building, to the left I will see the Hippo Lounge CafĂŠ.
A few metres from the main entrance, I will find the Box Office on the left, just around the corner from the Hippo Lounge CafĂŠ. Here I can buy tickets, and ask staff any questions I may have. The staff are always happy to help.
The main lift is also located to the right of the box office. Just to the right of the lift are toilets including accessible toilets. 4 | www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
Also on the ground floor, to the right of the main entrance, is the Heritage Gallery. This is the corridor that I will enter through to get to my seats if my seats are located in the stalls.
If I continue along the Heritage Gallery and through the doors and round to the left, I will arrive at the 1907 bar. This is located at the back of the stalls.
If my seats are located in either the Dress Circle (on the first floor of the building) or the Upper Circle (on the top floor of the building) I will most likely go up the stairs or in the lift from the main entrance to access these upper levels.
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If my seats are in the Dress Circle, I will go up the stairs or in the lift to arrive at the first floor landing. Toilets are also located on this level directly above those located on the ground floor level.
Also accessed from the first floor landing is the John Wade Group Lounge Bar and function room.
If I continue round to the left from the first Floor landing, I will be in the Gillian Dickinson Young Person’s Gallery. From here I can access the Dress Circle. At the end of the Gillian Dickinson Gallery, there is a moving projection of Signor Pepi on the far wall. 6 | www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
If I continue up the stairs at the end of the Gillian Dickinson Young Person’s GalÂlery I will arrive at one of the bar areas, which also leads round to the left into the Dress Circle. There are more toilets located at the back of the Dress Circle, as well as an accessible toilet.
If my seats are located in the Upper Circle, I will arrive at the second floor landing. Toilets (including an accessible toilet) are located here, directly above those on the ground and first floor levels. There is also a bar located on this landing.
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If my seats are in the Upper Circle, I will make my way along the Pantomime Gallery, to access the auditorium and find my seats.
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Here are some pictures inside the auditorium, where I will sit to watch the show.
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As I enter the auditorium, a staff member will be there to take my tickets and show me where my seats are. If I need help or advice I can always ask a member of the Front of House staff. They all wear a uniform like this one. When the show is nearly ready to start, I will hear an announcement. This is a signal to tell me to make my way to the auditorium and go to my seats. If I’m unsure where my seats are, my ticket will have information printed on it which will tell me the level, row and number of my seat, (for example Stalls J16). A member of staff will show me where to go if I’m not sure.
If I am attending a relaxed performance, the lights in the auditorium will remain on, and I can enter and leave the auditorium throughout the performance. There will no expectation for me to be quiet. All the loud bangs, noises, startling sound and lighting effects will have been toned down. There will also be a chill out area for me to go to if I need a quiet space. 10 | www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
If I am attending a performance that isn’t a relaxed performance, the lights in the auditorium will be lowered when the performance starts, and there will be an expectation for me to try to be quiet and stay in my seat. The doors to the auditorium will be closed. There may be some loud bangs and bright lighting effects. If I want to, I can cover my ears if I think the performance is too loud. I can also wear ear defenders if I have them. During the show I might find something funny. I can laugh if I want to. I might see or hear something that makes me feel sad. It’s okay to feel sad, but don’t forget, it’s not real. I might hear other people in the audience cheer, clap, shout out or scream. I can join in if I want to. At the end of the show the audience will clap to show their appreciation for the actors. I can clap if I want to. The clapping might be loud, so I can cover my ears if I want to.
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A place for the future...