The Palace Theatre’s previous Access and Carer scheme is now closed to new applicants. It has been replaced by the Essential Companion scheme, which provides a clearer and more consistent way of supporting patrons who need additional help to attend the theatre.

Any bookings already made under the previous scheme will be honoured. There is no change for performances that have already been booked.

The Essential Companion Scheme

The Essential Companion scheme is for patrons who cannot attend the theatre independently and who require another person to provide essential support during their visit.

An essential companion is someone attending specifically to support the patron. This may include help with mobility, communication, orientation, personal care, or managing the effects of a condition while at the theatre.

Where a patron is eligible, their essential companion may attend free of charge and will be seated next to them. Eligibility applies to the patron, not to individual performances.

The scheme is open to patrons aged 16 and over and applies to most performances at the Palace Theatre. In a small number of cases, different arrangements may apply and this will be made clear at the time of booking.

Registration

We have partnered with Nimbus Disability to administer the Essential Companion scheme. You do not need to register separately with the Palace Theatre.

To request an essential companion ticket, you must have either:

• a Nimbus Access Card, or
• a Palace Theatre Digital Access Pass (DAP)

In either case, the “+1” symbol must be shown for an essential companion ticket to be available.

If you already have a Nimbus Access Card with the “+1” symbol, you can use it at the Palace Theatre and at any other venue that accepts it.

If you do not have a Nimbus Access Card, you can apply for a Digital Access Pass (DAP) instead. The DAP is free of charge and is specific to the Palace Theatre.

To apply for a DAP or an Access Card, please visit https://app.accesscard.online/apply/palace-theatre-redditch/

Booking and Collecting Your Tickets

Once you have a Nimbus Access Card or Digital Access Pass (DAP) showing the “+1” symbol, tickets can be booked by phone or in person.

When booking, please quote your Nimbus Access Card number or your Digital Access Pass (DAP) number so we can verify eligibility. Your ticket and your essential companion ticket must be booked at the same time. Essential companion tickets are subject to availability and must be booked in advance. They cannot be added on the day of the performance.

Tickets under this scheme are collected on the day of the performance only. The scheme member must be present for collection, and you will be asked to show your Access Card or DAP at the point of collection.

Scheme Terms and Conditions

The Essential Companion scheme is available only to patrons who are unable to attend the theatre independently and who require the presence of another person to provide essential support throughout the visit. An essential companion ticket is provided for support purposes only and does not constitute an additional concessionary ticket for social, family, or group attendance.

Essential companion tickets are issued on the basis that the companion remains with the eligible patron for the duration of the visit and does not attend independently, separately, or for their own purposes.

Eligibility is personal to the named patron, is non-transferable, and may be used only where a valid Nimbus Access Card or Nimbus Digital Access Pass (DAP) displaying the “+1” symbol is presented.

Essential companion tickets are subject to availability and must be booked in advance in accordance with the theatre’s booking arrangements. They cannot be issued retrospectively or added on the day of performance.

Essential companion tickets are available for standard seating only. They are not available for boxes, and may be restricted to particular seats or price bands depending on the performance and availability.

The Palace Theatre reserves the right to request evidence of eligibility, to review eligibility at any time, and to refuse or withdraw essential companion tickets where there is a reasonable suspicion of misuse, the eligibility criteria not being met, or false or misleading information being provided.

The Essential Companion scheme may be amended or withdrawn at the theatre’s discretion without notice.