Access All Areas: Would it be a bit of a performance?

My wife and I were encouraged by the early signs from the brochure and the Gala website that we would indeed be able to enjoy an evening free of any complications surrounding accessibility. We were looking forward to seeing "Nearly Dan" - a Steely Dan tribute band - and to an evening rich in sound.

It is clear from the literature that parking outside the theatre is not necessarily possible. However, we were the lucky ones finding a space allocated for "disabled and taxis" outside O'Neil's pub on Claypath.

The route from here to the Gala is only a short one and the theatre is clearly in view. But we had difficulty crossing Claypath since there was no obvious level access or dropped-kerb to help us on our way. Perhaps the job is, as yet, unfinished and, if so, we trust that the finished article will be a little friendlier. The advice from the theatre itself is to use either the Prince Bishops car park, "...only 300yds from the Gala Theatre", or the Walkergate car park "...directly below the Millennium City site".

In the early planning stages, I rang Tourist Information, Shopmobility and the theatre itself; well, you can't be too careful. Shopmobility suggested parking in the disabled bays at the Prince Bishops car park (cost £1.50 "Night Owl" tariff), then using the lift by the pay machine up to the shopping level and following the route along the High Street from Goldsmith's to Next. On reaching the Market Square the instruction was to turn right and follow the path to the theatre. Notwithstanding the fact that Shopmobility is closed on an evening and scooters cannot, therefore be hired at this time, this route is actually a lot simpler than it appears on first hearing.

Tourist Information were not keen at all to recommend Walkergate which is "undergoing building work at the minute and the paths are not very even". The route recommended was a ringing endorsement of Shopmobility's advice adding that, at night, not all levels are open in the Prince Bishops, but the lifts are all working. One useful additional suggestion was to drop off the person with the disability outside the theatre and then to park the car, thus saving a bit of wheelchair-pushing toil.

The Gala Theatre itself was definite in its advice which was to go for the Prince Bishops since that is "much closer". In the league table of potential parking places then it would seem that top points go to Claypath for being the least challenging; second place goes to the Prince Bishops, with the third and least attractive being Walkergate.

Booking by phone was straightforward but it is worth bearing in mind that I rang to book my tickets and wheelchair space ten days before the date of the performance and there was only one remaining wheelchair space available. So no slouching or you could miss out. Take advantage, too, of the offer that "able-bodied companions" - whose tickets are free - are encouraged to accompany the visitor with a disability.

Within the theatre there are all the facilities you would expect from a new public building such as accessible toilets (although I struggled with the lock on the one at ground floor level). There is also level entry to the bar area and kiosks, an infra-red amplification system with headsets available from the box office and lifts to the upper levels.

We had informed the staff in advance that I would be using a wheelchair on the night and a space had been reserved in the main auditorium (with an associated seat alongside to which I transferred) together with another for my wife. Our view of the stage was fine and we both felt we were part of the main body of the audience. The excellent website points out that wheelchair spaces are also available in the circle with accessible toilets "located throughout the building".

Other readers will wish to know about the provision of "signed" and "audio-described" performances. The theatre informed me that they are actively pursuing opportunities to expand in this area and if any customers require information about forthcoming shows with this facility then they are only too happy to include such details in their mail-outs. For our part, we were treated to a cracking concert by a cracking band at a theatre that gave us a cracking welcome and is well worth a visit. As Steely Dan might have said: "Reader don't lose that number..." - get yourselves on the mailing list.

FACT FILE

Gala Theatre, Millennium Place, DURHAM, DH1 1WA. Box Office: 0191 332 4041. Website: www.galadurham.co.uk Durham Tourist Information Tel: 0191 384 3720 Durham Shopmobility Tel: 0191 386 8556.