Plan your visit

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Find us

The Criterion is on Piccadilly Circus south-east side, by The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain (Eros). The theatre entrance faces the statue.

Piccadilly Circus tube station, exit 4, brings you to the front of the theatre.

Getting here

Arriving by Tube

Piccadilly Circus (1 minute walk) - Piccadilly Line and Bakerloo Line
Leicester Square (Approx 10 minute walk) - Piccadilly Line and Northern Line
Green Park (Approx 10 minute walk) - Piccadilly Line and Victoria Line. This station has step free access to street level.

Arriving by bus

Regent street/St James - outside Tesco
12, 88, 94, 453, N3, N15

Regent Street/ St James - outside Tesco
6, 9, 139, 159, N9, N18, N97, N109, N136

Haymarket/ Jermyn Street R - outside TigerTiger
6, 9, 139, N9, N15, N13

Driving

There is limited street parking around the area with pay and display charges. Please note that resident parking bays are not available for visitor parking. The Congestion Charge is currently operational Monday to Sunday 7am - 10pm, including Bank Holidays.

The nearest car park is:

Q-Park Leicester Square
Whitcomb Street
London WC2H 7DT

Our theatre visitors can claim a discount on parking with validation of your parking ticket. Please ask a member of staff during your visit. For more information please visit: https://www.q-park.co.uk/en-gb/cities/london/leicester-square/

Accessibility

Our staff are available to assist you during your visit. If you cannot find the information you require here or if you would like help in planning your visit, please contact our box office team on 0207 839 8811 or via email to boxoffice@criterion-theatre.co.uk

Access Performances 2:22

Captioned Performance – Thursday 21^st July 7:30pm

Please note this is a captioned performance. Captions are similar to television subtitles and give people who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing access to live performance. The best view of the caption boards will be the Dress Circle.

If you would like to book online, please register an account with us and select 'I am a captioning user' to apply the access rate on the tickets. The best available seats to view the caption boards will then appear as stars.

Please note the Stalls are not advised as the caption boards will be too high to view comfortably.

Audio Described Performance – Saturday 9^th July 2:30pm

Please note this is an Audio Described performance. Audio description conveys in vivid language (fitted between the dialogue) the visual elements of a performance that a blind or visually impaired person might otherwise miss. It is listened to through a discreet stethoset receiver.

If you would like to book online, please register an account with us and select 'I am an audio description user' to apply the access rate on the tickets. The best available seats for the audio description will then appear as stars.

Please note the front row of the Stalls is not advised as the signal is not as strong.

BSL Interpreted Performance – Thursday 30^th June 7:30pm

Please note this is a BSL Interpreted performance. There will be a BSL Interpreter on the right side of the auditorium as viewed from your seats.

If you would like to book online, please register an account with us and select 'I am a British Sign Language user' to apply the access rate on the tickets. The best available seats to view the BSL interpreter will then appear as stars.

Wheelchair access

We have level access to the Upper Circle in the auditorium with space for 2 - 4 wheelchairs depending on size. If you would prefer to transfer to an auditorium seat we have seats available on this level. Access is via the step free entrance beside the Stage Door in Jermyn Street, at the rear of the building. On arrival at the front of the theatre one of our team will escort you to the Jermyn Street entrance or alternatively, on arrival at Jermyn Street, let our stage door keeper know you have arrived and one of our team will show you to the Upper Circle.

Hearing Systems

Box Office/Foyer

There is an induction loop system available in the foyer for the Box Office.

Auditorium

We have a Sennheiser infra-red hearing system that works in all part of the auditorium, although the signal is strongest when you are sitting in full sight of the Sennheiser emitters. It is advisable to discuss with Box Office prior to booking to ensure you are able to have the best experience.

How To Use

Upon arrival let any of our Front of House team know that you would like to use the Sennhesier system. We then have two options available to you;

1) A Sennheiser receiver that you would use alongside your hearing aid. Switch your hearing aid to the T position, and then wear the receiver necklace to enable the system to communicate with your hearing aids. You have adjustable volume control and the staff member will ensure it is set to the correct channel for you.

2) A Sennheiser in ear headset, with no hearing aid required. The headset should face forward to be able to receive the full signal and not be covered by anything such as scarves/ties/necklaces. You have adjustable volume control and the headset will automatically find the correct channel for you.

In the unlikely event that you should experience any problems with using your Sennhesier system please let any member of the Front of House team know and they will be happy to assist you.

In line with our Covid-19 safety protocols all headsets and receivers are sanitised prior and after customer use.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome. For ease of access and comfort, we recommend purchasing a seat on the end of a row or in a box. Alternatively we can provide a dog sitting service during the performance. Please contact the Theatre Manager on 0207 839 8811 or at admin@criterion-theatre.co.uk for further information.

WCs

There is one accessible lavatory on the Upper Circle, with step free access from Jermyn Street.

Additional facilities are available on Dress Circle level.

Booking Tickets

Please contact our box office team directly on 0207 839 8811 or on boxoffice@criterion-theatre.co.uk to make your booking. Our team will ensure you are booked into the best available seats for your requirements. Access rate tickets are available for the access patron and one companion ticket.

For in person bookings, we have step free access to our foyer box office with a low level counter.

Limited Mobility

The auditorium is situated below street level with step free access only available to the Upper Circle. Dress Circle is one further level down and the Stalls three levels below Jermyn Street level, and four floors below Piccadilly Circus. Via the main entrance stairway there are 23 steps down to the Upper Circle, 32 steps down to the Dress Circle and 54 steps to the Stalls. Unfortunately we do not currently have a lift facility in the Grade II listed building. We can offer alternative access via our fire exit stairways to all levels via Jermyn Street upon request. Although there are still steps they are reduced and are not part of the ornate curved stairway of our main entrance. Please speak to a member of our front of house team on arrival or contact us on 020 7839 8811 in advance of your visit.

Bars, Confectionery and Merchandise

Our bars are situated on the Dress Circle and Stalls auditorium levels. Drinks may be taken into the auditorium and our staff can offer assistance purchasing beverages if customers are unable to access the bar areas. You can also pre-order via our CrowdEngage pre-show text sent out on the day of your booking to pre-order for at seat service.

Parking

For information about blue badge parking in Westminster please visit www.parkingforbluebadges.com

Our nearest Q-Park car park is at Whitcombe Street, Leicester Square. Please note the Leicester Square car park is not currently part of the Q-Park theatreland discount scheme. To access the discount available to theatre ticket holders our nearest car parks are Trafalgar Square or Chinatown.

For more information on the discount scheme visit https://www.q-park.co.uk/en-gb/theatreland-participating-theatres

Facilities

If you have any queries which are not answered here please contact us by email to admin@criterion-theatre.co.uk or on 020 7839 8811.

Security

Please note that bag checks are carried out for all patrons prior to their entry into the Foyer/Box Office. We would advise patrons to arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to the performance start time to allow for the extra security checks.

If you are bringing a group with you please ensure that all members of your group are aware of the bag check procedure and the recommended time to arrive to the theatre.

We very much appreciate patrons having their bags open as they reach our bag check staff member as it significantly speeds up the process for everyone involved.

We are not able to accommodate large bags or suitcases and advise patrons to bring with them only essential, handbag size, bags.

Only valid ticket holders will be admitted to the theatre.

Please note that we do not allow any hot food or alcohol purchased outside of the venue into the theatre. If you have alcohol with you these items can be kept at the Box Office for the duration of the performance and collected as you leave. Please make the staff member conducting the bag checks aware.

Late comers

Specific points where we can admit latecomers to the auditorium are determined for each production on when there is a suitable break which will minimise disruption to both the performers and the seated patrons. Information on latecomers policy is available on the specific production page on this website. We cannot guarantee admittance to latecomers who arrive after the official late comers point, you may be asked to wait until the interval or be taken to alternative seats at the back of the auditorium, if they are available, to avoid disturbing other patrons.

Parking vouchers

If you’re driving into the West End to see a show, take advantage of Q-Park’s Theatreland Parking Scheme saving 50% off off-street car parking charges for up to 24 hours. To qualify, simply present your Q-Park car park ticket for validation at the theatre and the car park machine will automatically charge you half price. Our nearest Q-Park car park is Trafalgar Square and the next nearest is Chinatown. Please note Leicester Square, Whitcomb Street is not currently part of this scheme.

For details of locations and prices please visit https://www.q-park.co.uk/en-gb/theatreland-participating-theatres

Cloakroom

Our cloakroom is currently closed due to security and Covid-19 secure considerations. Consequently we are unable to accommodate large bags or suitcases and advise patrons to bring with them only essential, handbag size, bags. There are a number of left luggage facilities in the Piccadilly Circus area - location, availability and pricing information can be found through an internet search for local companies.

Lost & found

If you believe you have accidentally left something at the theatre, please contact Stage Door on 0207 839 8811. A log is kept of any item found at the end of each performance and it is stored in the theatre for 6 weeks. If you are unable to collect the item from the theatre after contacting Stage Door, postage of the item can be arranged. This may be subject to a postage fee.

Hospitality

Due to the current change in the way we are managing our bars and front of house spaces we regret that our hospitality packages are temporarily unavailable. If you have any requests or enquiries please contact our Theatre Manager: emma@criterion-theatre.co.uk

Food and Drink

Click & Collect Service. With current Covid 19 safety measures in place we are operating a Click & Collect service for bar orders. Customers seated in the Stalls and Dress Circle may pick up their orders from the Lord Attenborough Bar on the Dress Circle Level. Customers in the Upper CIrcle should collect from the Upper Circle Level. Your order will be made up after your ticket has been scanned in the foyer so please allow five minutes before going to the collection point.

Bar Service You will be able to purchase from the Lord Attenborough Bar on the Dress Circle Level, but to avoid queuing we would encourage use of the Click & Collect service

You can pre-order for Click &Collect via our CrowdEngage pre-show text sent out on the day of the performance. We will be operating a one-way system into the bar and Click & Collect area. Once the purchase or collection is complete, we ask that customers vacate these areas and move back to the auditorium to avoid congestion in our front of house areas. Please ask a member of staff if you require assistance.

Please note all drinks are served in recyclable plastic glasses, including champagne.

Amélie Merchandise & Programmes

Merchandise can be purchased via the bar or click & collect service. If ordering via click & collect please speak to a member of staff for collection. If you have ordered any merchandise at the end of the performance, please wait in your seats and we will bring your order to you.

Seating & views

The auditorium was built in 1874 and consequently has a number of pillars.

The extent of restriction or view limitation will vary depending on a production’s direction and set design. For specific ticket banding, prices and information on restricted view seats please refer to the individual production booking page.

In consultation with the producer and creative team, we check the view from all seats for each new production and set ticket prices accordingly.

View of theatre from the stage

Seating plan

Local offers

COMING SOON

Check back soon for great local offers

Groups

Please contact our box office team for information and rates for group bookings: 020 7839 8811 boxoffice@criterion-theatre.co.uk

2022 CRITERION THEATRE TRUST

REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1014891

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