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    Minack Theatre

    Description

    Built on the cliffs at Porthcurno, the Minack Theatre is a Cornish landmark. Visitors can explore the theatre, enjoy live performances & discover the story of its remarkable creator, Rowena Cade.

    By appointment only
    Open hours today: By appointment only

    • Monday

      By appointment only

    • Tuesday

      By appointment only

    • Wednesday

      By appointment only

    • Thursday

      By appointment only

    • Friday

      By appointment only

    • Saturday

      By appointment only

    • Sunday

      By appointment only

      • November 24, 2024 9:45 am local time

    Location

    Porthcurno, Saint Levan, Penzance TR19 6JU, UK

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    Detailed description

    A place like no other, the world-famous Minack theatre is a must-see for visitors to Cornwall.  Perched on rugged cliffs over-looking the spectacular panorama of Porthcurno Bay, you might think ancient Greeks had carved it from the granite.  In fact, less than a century ago it was a rough gully of gorse and heather dropping dizzily down to the sea.

     

    Today the theatre welcomes you to discover the extraordinary story of how it was created and experience the magic of live performance in this iconic space.

     

    We aim to make our site available to everyone as far as we can, however the steep, rocky geography of The Minack does create some access limitations.  We have ramped access to all the visitor facilities on the site, however the main auditorium and stage are only accessible via long flights of steps.

     

    The Minack stages a full programme of live performances including audio described & BSL signed performances and when there is no show on you are welcome to explore the dramatic site and enjoy the glorious sub-tropical gardens full of exotic plants.

     

    A hearing loop is available in the Lower Terraces and on our Accessible Balcony.

     

    We can also provide Assistive Hearing Headsets, suitable for users with or without hearing aids, who may need a little extra boost from our sound.

     

    If you’re coming to a performance and would like to use the accessible balcony, please call our Box Office on +44 (0)1736 810181. Spaces are limited, so please book as early as possible.

     

    The car park has accessible parking bays adjacent to the theatre entrance and there is a ramp for wheelchair access to the visitor centre. Within the site there is ramped access to the exhibition centre and cafe, and there is an accessible toilet. The café has a clear and easy-to-navigate layout. The tables are at a comfortable height, and the variety of seating options is excellent. Free water is available, conveniently positioned for everyone to access.

    Visits

    During opening hours when no performances are in progress, visitors are free to explore the theatre auditorium, stage and backstage areas at their own pace.

     

    For visitors who are unable or do not wish to descend steps, they offer a virtual reality tour of the theatre, via a VR headset, which will enable the wearer to experience the view of the theatre from many places around the site.  Ask about the use of VR headsets in advance or when you arrive.

     

    Performances
    The theatre holds up to maximum of 600 people for performances . Audience members are directed to the appropriate area by our team and assisted where appropriate.

     

    Level access to the accessible balcony is via a permanent ramp. The route is at least 1930mm wide. Please request step free access on arrival.  The balcony offers a good view of the theatre and stage. They provide chairs with arm rests for the less mobile and the balcony is accessible to wheelchairs.  Carers and friends can sit with wheelchair users.

     

    Theatre Tours

    They offer a range of theatre tours which include walking around the site and up and down steps.  However, it is also possible to enjoy some of these tours from a stationery position at the top of the theatre via an earpiece.  This means you can hear the tour guide’s commentary live, though you will not be able to interact with him or her until they return to the top of the theatre.  Not all tours are suitable for stationery participation, so please check at the time of booking.

     

    Exhibition Centre

    From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The door is 780mm wide.  The Exhibition Centre has reasonable lighting, and a level, easily negotiable surface with a separate entrance and exit.  The doors are secured open when the site is open for visitors.
    In extreme weather, the doors may be left closed, but a member of staff will be available to assist customers as appropriate

     

    Mobility vehicles

    We provide an area to charge mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs.  Scooters or wheelchairs can be charged within one of our buildings if they charge via a 13 amp plug.  You can hire mobility equipment from HSC Mobility by calling 01736 755927.

    Parking

    There is plenty of parking available, mostly on the grass. Blue badge parking is conveniently located right by the entrance on a tarmac surface, featuring about six designated spaces along with additional tarmacked areas that are well maintained. Since the main parking is situated elsewhere, the area remains relatively quiet. There is also ample space for mobility scooter parking.

    Toilet facilities

    There is one accessible toilet in the main block, designed with an interesting shape that has been effectively utilised. It includes an audio description for visually impaired users and offers space for a large wheelchair to maneuver. The grab rails are well-placed and contrast with the wall colour for better visibility. Additionally, the emergency alarm is easily reachable from the floor and is equipped with two grab handles. Also Equiped with non-slip flooring and better accessible taps.

    Accessibiliy Guide

    https://www.accessibilityguides.org/content/minack-theatre

    Some members of staff have disability awareness training.

    Assistance dogs

    Assistance dogs are welcome for visits, tours and performances.  The nearest toilet area for assistance dogs would be in the field adjacent to our grass car park. However, we recognise that this may not always be practical and provided any mess is cleared up, this is not an issue.

    Mobility / Wheelchair Support

    There is a ticket and information point in the car park selling retail items. The low section has no desk, often a member of the team will greet customers in the car park.

     

    There is level entrance from the carpark to the ticket point, takeaway outlet, entrance kiosk and shop in the car park.

     

    The route from the main entrance into the theatre includes several short flights of steps.  Alternative, step-free access suitable for wheelchairs is available via a permanent ramp.  This route involves passing through a covered space that is currently only used for access.

    The door is 1930mm wide, side-hung and manually operated.  A member of staff will be on hand to assist.  Please request step free access on arrival.

     

    Once inside the theatre, the toilets and exhibition centre both have step free access.  There is a large viewing area at the top of the auditorium for wheelchair users.  This is also available for performances.

     

    There are over 100 steps from the accessible areas at the top of the site to the lowest part of the theatre. As the site has evolved over nearly 90 years, these steps are not uniform in size or depth. There are handrails around the site and the placing of these are reviewed annually.

     

    Mobility vehicles

    We provide an area to charge mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs.  Scooters or wheelchairs can be charged within one of our buildings if they charge via a 13 amp plug.  You can hire mobility equipment from HSC Mobility by calling 01736 755927.

    Vision Impairment Support

    Glass doors and full-height windows have contrast markings.  The walls and the doors have high colour contrast.  Some parts of the venue have low lighting.  An audio guide to the theatre is available via mobile phone.  There is audio descriptive commentary and headsets.

     

    Audio description

    An audio described service can be provided on a selection of our productions, please contact the box office on 01736 810181 for more information.

     

    Assistance dogs

    Assistance dogs are welcome for visits, tours and performances.  The nearest toilet area for assistance dogs would be in the field adjacent to our grass car park. However, we recognise that this may not always be practical and provided any mess is cleared up, this is not an issue.

     

    Exhibition Centre
    The Exhibition panels have high-contrast text.  Touch-screen and audio-visual film provide details of the history of the theatre in an audio format.

     

    Hearing Impairment Support

    A hearing loop is available in the Lower Terraces and on our Accessible Balcony.  We can also provide Assistive Hearing Headsets, suitable for users with or without hearing aids, who may need a little extra boost from our sound.

     

    We are generally able to provide copies of scripts in advance of performances which can be followed either on paper or on a tablet device for customers who are hard of hearing.

    We offer BSL interpreted performances on a selection of our productions.

    Free wifi is available in the theatre.  If you wish to use a smartphone AI app such as Otter AI, please let us know in advance so that we can make sure you are seated in a suitable area of the auditorium.

     

     

    Exhibition Centre (currently closed due to COVID)
    The Exhibition panels have high-contrast text.  Touch-screen and audio-visual film provide details of the history of the theatre in an audio format.

    Autism support

    They offer a free companion ticket, to anyone that requires it.

    They recommend that customers with any specific requirements (e.g. difficulties queueing etc) contact the box office and we will do our best to accommodate individual needs.

     

    The Minack is not a conventional theatre and all our performances have an informal feel.  People are welcome to move around as and when they require.

     

    They can supply a photographic/video walk round of the theatre on request.

    Learning Support

    The information display has lots of pictures and there is a video for people who cant read easily.

    They offer a free companion ticket, to anyone that requires it.

    They recommend that customers with any specific requirements (e.g. difficulties queueing etc) contact the box office and we will do our best to accommodate individual needs.

     

    The Minack is not a conventional theatre and all our performances have an informal feel.  People are welcome to move around as and when they require.

     

    They can supply a photographic/video walk round of the theatre on request.

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