Monday 25 July 2011

Access London - Theatre Update

Welcome back to Access London and thank you once again for your support for better disability access and awareness in the Capital.

Today's post is an update for all theatre and music lovers out there...

The much anticipated Lincoln Center Theatre Production of Rodgers and Hammersteins's South Pacific is set to take the UK by storm from August this year. The show opens at The London Barbican for a 7 week run on 15th August and from then beings a UK tour to include: Milton Keynes, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol, Southampton and Oxford.

The production enjoyed a successful, 2 year run in New York and now UK audiences will get the chance to see the show. With a fabulously talented cast, this is one show not to be missed this summer. Access London will be seeing the show at the beginning of its run and there will be a more detailed post shortly after on this blog.

The Barbican has good Access for those using a wheelchair or mobility scooter. It also has a great Access Scheme that allows you to register your personal access needs so that the best available seating and options are available to you. Blue Badge holders can also reserve a parking space, free of charge, onsite from an hour before the performance starts.

I cannot comment on the Access to all the venues featured on the UK tour so if you are wishing to see the show outside of London, I would recommend contacting the relevant theatre or venue.

To register on The Barbican's Access Scheme and book tickets for South Pacific CLICK HERE




To book tickets for all other venues on the UK tour, see the SOUTH PACIFIC UK WEBSITE



Other news sees the premature and sad closure of Lend Me A Tenor at London's Gielgud Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. This production was due to run until November 2011 but it was reported over the weekend that the show will close in London on Saturday 6th August!

The show has received some fantastic reviews and I have spoken to many that have seen it and really enjoyed it. There appears to be special offers on tickets for the remainder of its run and it would be well worth going to see it before it closes.

The Gielgud is Accessible to those using a wheelchair or mobility scooter via a side door on the same street as the stage door. A member of the front of house staff will meet you at the front of the theatre and take you to the entrance which enters near the cloakroom on the dress circle level. There are 2 allocated wheelchair spaces in the dress circle and other options for those who can transfer. To book Access tickets, please call 0844 482 5137. For all other ticket types, please call 0844 482 5138.

"This uproarious new musical comedy by Peter Sham and Brad Carroll is a riotous, unpredictable explosion of mistaken identities and unexpected romance – based on the award-winning West End and Broadway hit comedy by Ken Ludwig."

"This brand-new production is directed by Olivier award-winning director Ian Talbot (High Society, Anything Goes) and choreographed by Tony-nominated choreographer Randy Skinner (42nd Street, White Christmas). The cast includes the Olivier award-winners Matthew Kelly and Joanna Riding."




COMING SOON: The London Eye, London Eye River Cruise, Access London Celebrates Phantom of the Opera's 25th.

Wednesday 20 July 2011

Tate Modern - Miro Exhibition

Welcome back to Access London everyone, thanks once again for your continued support for disability access and awareness in the capital.

Today's post looks at the Tate Modern and one of its current exhibitions - Miro. I wrote a post on Tate Britain a couple of months ago which describes the access to that gallery, please scroll down to previous posts if you are interested in visiting that attraction also.

Joan Miró
The Farm, 1921-2
National Gallery of Art, Washington
Gift of Mary Hemingway
© Successió Miró/ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2011




Tate Modern is situated right on the river front between Southwark and and London Bridge tube stations. The Thames pathway that runs along past the gallery is a wide and accessible walkway along the river Thames and is a great way to visit the gallery. You can also travel between the two London Tate galleries on the Tate River Boat which is accessible to wheelchair users. Alternatively, if you are driving to the gallery, there are 5 disabled parking spaces onsite that can be booked in advance by calling 020 7887 8888.

The gallery is open 10.00-18.00 Sunday to Thursday and 10.00-22.00 Fridays and Saturdays.


Joan Miró
The Escape Ladder 1940
Museum of Modern Art, New York
© Successió Miró/ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2011




Both the Main Entrance on Holland Street and the River Entrance on Queen's Walk are accessible to those with disabilities. Inside the gallery there are lifts to all exhibition floors and there are accessible toilets on each floor also.

In addition, the gallery has 10 wheelchairs and 2 mobility scooters that can be booked in advanced and used within the gallery for those who do not have their own - please call 020 7887 8888.

The Tate Modern currently has its Miro exhibition running until September 11th 2011.
This is a relatively large exhibition running throughout more than a dozen rooms in the gallery. It depicts the work of Joan Miro, the renowned Spanish Surrealist painter, and exhibits work from across six decades of his carrer.

Joan Miró
Still Life with Old Shoe 1937
Museum of Modern Art, New York
© Successió Miró/ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2011



"Joan Miro's works come to London in the first major retrospective here for nearly 50 years. Renowned as one of the greatest Surrealist painters, filling his paintings with luxuriant colour, Miro worked in a rich variety of styles. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy more than 150 paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints from moments across the six decades of his career."

The captions and free booklet you are given upon entry to the exhibition describe moments in his personal and professional life and include revelations about this very political artist - including his involvement in the Spanish Civil War and subsequent exile. With many of Miro's most striking pieces of work featured in the exhibition, it is one not to be missed.

Joan Miró
May 68, 1968 - 1973
Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona
Photo: Jaume Blassi
© Successió Miró/ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2011





The exhibition rooms are very accessible and large with plenty of room for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. There is a concession price for disabled visitors and 1 carer can enter for free with every disabled guest.

Tate Modern also has a dedicated Access Programme that includes: Hearing Loops, BSL Multimedia Guides, BSL Talks, Large-Print Caption and Exhibition Guides, Audio-Described Highlight Tours, Touch Tours and Visual Descriptive Tours. For more information on any of these and other access queries, please call 020 7887 8888.



COMING SOON: London Eye, London Eye River Cruise, The 39 Steps, Phantom of the Opera's 25th Anniversary Celebrations

Wednesday 13 July 2011

The Cavendish Hotel - Room Tour

Welcome back to Access London. Thank you once again for your continued support in promoting disabled access and awareness in London.



Today's post focuses on The Cavendish Hotel in Piccadilly and, in particular, the choice of rooms it has available that could be suited to meet your accessible needs. The Cavendish is Access London's recommended hotel for 2011 for all the reasons you would expect that make a hotel the perfect getaway: the service, the staff, the comfort, the warm welcome, the food and drink, the location, the value for money and the personal attention to detail. On top of all this, The Cavendish has made every attempt to make sure it meets the needs of its disabled guests.

Previous posts on The Cavendish have included, Afternoon Tea, Pre-Theatre Dinner, The Petrichor Restaurant and its outstanding Concierge Service. This post will address one of the most importnat aspects of any hotel - its rooms.

The first room Access London visited was a Twin Accessible Room (the same room can also be configured as a double). The Cavendish has several of these rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the hotel - all of which can be accessed by one of the three lifts from the ground, reception floor. The rooms have been furnished in a way to allow room for a wheelchair or small-medium sized scooter to get around them without bumping into things. Therefore, the space alongside the bed(s) is greater and also the space around the desk/dressing table area. There are several emergency pull-cords throughout the rooms and also a 'call' button near the dressing table. For its deaf or hard of hearing guests, the fire alarm is also set to flash if it is needed.

The ensuite shower rooms in the accessible rooms are all roll-in adapted for a wheelchair with handrails throughout, a shower stool, lowered sink for easier access and emergency pull-cord.

Even with the adaptions and changes made to accommodate its disabled guests, these rooms don't lack the finishing touches you would expect from a 4* London hotel - comfort, charm, character and, luxury a touch of elegance.

The staff at The Cavendish are some of the most helpful and welcoming I have known in any hotel and are always happy to try and meet everyone's needs. To further discuss any requirements you might have and to make a reservation, please call: 020 7930 2111

This short video shows some of what you can expect to find in one of these rooms - again this room has Twin beds but the same configuration in a Double is also available.



The second room type I will mention is The Executive Twin (a double can also be booked). These rooms are not set up and classed as 'Accessible' but, would still suit some people with physical difficulties if you are looking for that extra something in a room!

The Executive rooms at The Cavendish are extremely spacious and although not set up as an allocated accessible room, there is more than enough room for a wheelchair or scooter inside. They occupy the higher foors of The Cavendish and guests can enjoy some spectacular London views from the windows.

Not being set up as an accessible room means that there are no emergency pull cords and hand rails as in the previous room mentioned in this post. The bathroom too would not be suited to someone who has to remain in their wheelchair at all times. Having said that, there are handrails by the bath and also inside the separate shower. The shower has to be stepped up into but if you can manage that then, a non-slip mat and hand grabs are inside and it is very spacious, meaning that you don't need to be able to get down into the bath tub.

This short video shows some of what guests can expect from an Exeuctive Room at The Cavendish.



I would recommend either of the above rooms at The Cavendish though obviously if you have a more severe disability or have to remain in your wheelchair then the accessible room is the best option for you. If you don't have to remain in a wheelchair at all times and you fancy that something even more special, perhaps to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, then The Executive Rooms offer that little bit extra luxury.


For completely able-bodied guests, there are several other options available in terms of room types. To book an Accessible Room, Executive Room and enquire about any of the other room options, please call The Cavendish on: 020 7930 2111

Alternatively, you can Visit The Cavendish Website Here

COMING SOON: Miro at Tate Britain, London Eye, Billy Elliot, Phantom of the Opera's 25th Celebrations.

Friday 8 July 2011

Access London - Theatre Update

Welcome back to Access London and thank you for your continued support for this site and promoting disabled access and awareness.

Today's post is an update on some news from the West End theatre scene, including Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Love Never Dies, Phantom 25th and The Tempest.

Firstly is the slightly shocking and very disappointing news that Priscilla Queen of the Desert will be finishing its run at The Palace theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue at the end of the year! This well-loved show is upbeat, colourful, entertaining and has some great songs, cast and dancing in - the costumes are pretty fabulous too!

With a talented cast including Oliver Thornton, Richard Grieve, Don Gallagher, Mark Moraghan, Charlotte Riby, Gemma O'Duffy, Steve Cleverley, John Brannoch and many more, this is a night out not to be missed.....catch it before the Priscilla bus leaves the Palace at the end of 2011.

Access London will be watching Priscilla at the beginning of August and will post about it soon after, including a cast interview not to be missed.

The Palace theatre is accessible to those using a wheelchair or mobility scooter via a side entrance on Shaftesbury Avenue and then has level access into the back of the stalls. There is wheechair space at the back for those who cannot transfer otherwise, any aisle seat is transferable to in the stalls. There is also a disabled access toilet in the theatre.

To book Access Tickets please call: 0844 412 4648. For all general tickets, please call: 0844 412 4653.




Next is the news of another closure, this time for the Phantom of the Opera sequel, Love Never Dies, at The Adelphi Theatre on The Strand. Although this show opened to mixed reviews and went through some major rewrites in its first 6 months, it then established itself and has many loyal followers flocking to see it. With an outstanding cast led by Ramin Karimloo, Celia Graham and David Thaxton, Love Never Dies has some beautiful music and lyrics, great costumes, set and special effects, a host of circus style acrobatics and stunts and a heart-wrenching story with a dramatic ending.

I most definitely recommend a night out to see Love Never Dies before its disappointing closure on 27th August 2011. Access London recently had a two-post series on this show (in June) which included cast interviews, please scroll down to check these out. We will also be making one last trip to The Adelphi in August to see the show before its very premature closure.

The Adelphi is very accessible to those using a wheelchair or mobility scooter. The foyer has a fixed ramp up into it with an accessible toilet inside. From the foyer, there is level access into the back of the stalls which has a gentle rake down towards the stage. There is wheelchair space at the back otherwise, any aisle seat is transferable to.

To book Access tickets, please call: 0844 412 4648. For all general tickets, please call 0844 412 4653.




On a more positive note after all this talk of shows closing, Trevor Nunn's, The Tempest is opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 27th August 2011 and has a limited run until 29th October 2011. It stars the iconic Ralph Fiennes as Prospero. With such a limited run, this show is one not to be missed this Summer/Autumn.

Theatre Royal Haymarket is accessible for those using a wheelchair or mobility scooter through a side door on The Haymarket. From here, it is level access to the back of the stalls where there is space for wheelchairs. If you can transfer then any aisle seat in the stalls will be accessible for you.

To book Access tickets, please call: 020 7930 8800. For all general tickets, please call: 0845 481 1870.


Finally, this week has seen the long awaited for release of tickets to see the 25th anniversary concert for Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall. There are to be 3 concerts spread over the weekend of the 1st and 2nd October 2011. Access London will be writing about access to the Royal Albert Hall in a later post and will be seeing the concert itself on 1st October. The concert will have a 250 strong orchestra and cast being led by Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess.

With tickets in such great demand there have obviously been disappointments for those who missed out. However, the oringinal show at Her Majesty's Theatre on The Haymarket is one not to be missed. It has a fabulous current cast, led by John Owen Jones in the title role and Sofia Escobar as Christine Daae. Many believe the original is a hard one to beat and I happen to agree with them - stunning sets, costumes, music, lyrics, direction, story, cast and design leaves Phantom at Her Majesty's at the top if its game.

Her Majesty's theatre is accessible for those using a wheelchair or mobility sccoter via a side entrance on Charles II Street. This entrance leads past the accessible toilet and into the back of the stalls. There is wheelchair space here or alternatively, any aisle seat is transferable to.

Access London will be beginning its Phantom 25th celebrations shortly with weekly interviews with current, former and some origninal cast members so look out for our posts or check back regularly if you are a Phantom Phan!

To book Access tickets, please call: 0844 412 4648. For general tickets, please call: 0844 412 4653.





COMING SOON: London Eye, London Eye River Cruise, Miro Exhibition

Wednesday 6 July 2011

Access London Supports National Transplant Week 2011

Thank you once again for your support towards Access London. This week Access London has been supporting National Transplant Week 2011 which runs from the 4th-10th July.



"It’s annoying when you have to wait for something, whether it’s your morning coffee, the bus or a parcel. Now imagine having to wait for something that your life depended on.... an organ.

This year’s National Transplant Week runs between 4th and 10th July and NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) are calling on the UK public to reduce the waiting times for a transplant by Signing up to the NHS Organ Donor Register."

On Monday I posted a video from Victoria Tremlett who has been on the waiting list for a double lung transplant for 4 years now. Victoria, or Tor as she likes to be known, is one of the bravest young ladies I know and is tireless in her campaign to get people to sign up to become an organ donar and become aware of the importance that donars play.

Signing up only takes minutes and you will do so in the knowledge that you will be saving lives.

Tor suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and her story is one of the most inspiring I've heard.

What is Cystic Fibrosis?

•Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is one of the UK's most common life-threatening inherited diseases.
•Cystic Fibrosis affects over 9,000 people in the UK.
•Over two million people in the UK carry the faulty gene that causes Cystic Fibrosis - around 1 in 25 of the population.
•If two carriers have a child, the baby has a 1 in 4 chance of having Cystic Fibrosis.
•Cystic Fibrosis affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food.
•Each week, five babies are born with Cystic Fibrosis.
•Each week, two young lives are lost to Cystic Fibrosis.
•Only half of those living with Cystic Fibrosis are likely to live past their late 30s.

Even though her illness takes up all her energy on a daily basis, Tor kindly took a little time out to answer some questions for Access London so we can all understand a bit more of the importance of signing up to be a donar....

AL: Can you tell us who you are and a bit about yourself?
VT: I'm Victoria Tremlett usually known as Tor, I'm 24 years old and suffer from the genetic condition Cystic Fibrosis. The disease has damaged my lungs to such an extent that I am in desperate need of a double lung transplant to save my life, without one I will die. For the last four years I have been waiting and hoping for that phone call that will not only save but completely transform my life. There are so many things I still want to do with my life but I am unable to now because my health is so poor, my mum has to do the most basic tasks for my such as washing and dressing and my lung function is now so poor I can barely leave my house. I live with the knoweldge that 50% of people waiting for a lung transplant do not get their transplant in time but I fight on because I'm not ready for life to be over yet. I absolutely adore musical theatre, plays and getting out and about in London and these are some of the things I miss most about my poor health. If I do get my transplant in time I would love to be a Westend actress one day.

AL: What is Cystic Fibrosis and how does it affect you?
VT: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the Uk's most common genetic condition. It's main symptom is the body producing thick, sticky mucus that clogs both the airways and digestive system. CF can also cause other problems in the body such as diabetes, liver disease, osteoporosis and arthritis to name a few. Every patient is different but most will end up needing a transplant at some stage in their life. CF has always been an ever present force in my life with regular hospital visits, daily regiemes of physio and endless tablets but I stayed relatively well throughout my childhood. In my teens the disease started to take a stronger hold and I was struggling with breathlessness much more. When I was 20 things came to a head when I collapsed on my way to work one day, I was rushed to hospital and placed on oxygen. I knew I wasn't going to bounce back from this setback, my body felt foreign to me. I was assessed for transplant and accepted onto the waiting list for lungs. Now my daily treatment regieme consumes most of my day, I take over 100 tablets a day, nebulisers, inhalers, a wheelchair to leave the house, oxygen 24/7, and place a naso-gastric tube every night to maintain my weight.

AL: This week is National Transplant Week 2011 in the UK - how important is this for those suffering with CF?
VT: As I mentioned before, transplant is a last chance option for most CF patients so organ donation is a very real issue to us. However anyone could potentially need a transplant one day, the fact is you are more likely to need an organ than to be able to donate one so the subject is relevant to everyone. No one knows what the future holds. If you needed an organ would you take one? If so then you should be willing to donate.

AL: What is the most important thing people can do this week to help you and others suffering with CF?
VT: The most important thing you can do is to sign up to the organ donor register and save lives like mine. One person can save up to 9 lives. It's so quick and easy to sign up, it takes less than 2 minutes. It's also really important to let your family know your wishes.

AL: For those who are already signed up as an organ donor, what else can they do to help?
VT: It would be great if people could pass on the links to my transplant appeal, I'm asking everyone to post it to their FB pages, send it in a tweet, write a blog or forward the links to their email contacts. By spreading the word you are literally saving lives, 3 people die each day waiting for an organ purely because not enough people are signed up to the donor register. Together we can change this statistic.

AL: If people are organising fundraising events and are looking for a charity to donate to, which is the best that helps support those suffering with CF?
VT: The Cystic Fibrosis Trust helps people with CF all over the UK and are working to find a cure for children born today with the disease.

AL: Any other messages or thoughts to readers of this interview?
VT: Thank you so much for your time and support. Transplant is quite literally a modern day miracle and by raising the profile of this issue we can transform lives.




If there's one thing you do today, please sign up to the organ donar register!

Thank you once again for taking the time to read this post everyone. This concludes Access London's posts on National Transplant Week.



COMING SOON: London River Cruise & The London Eye

Monday 4 July 2011

Access London Supports National Transplant Week 2011

Welcome back to Access London everyone and once again, thank you all for your continued support for disability access and awareness in the capital.



Our posts today and Wednesday will differ a little from our usual ones - we are here to support the UK's National Transplant Week 2011 which is running from 4th July - 10th July.

There are currently over 7,500 people in the UK waiting for a transplant. 96% of us would take an organ if we needed one but only 29% of the population are on the Organ Donor Register.

Access London supports all types of disability access needs in London and many of those waiting on the transplant list require the support of disability access. More importantly though, they need your help by SIGNING UP TO THE ORGAN DONAR LIST. Please watch the video below that was recorded by and features a friend of mine, Victoria Tremlett, who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and has been on the waiting list for a double lung transplant for four years now. Please, listen to her story....



I hope many of you found Tor's story as inspiring as I do. Tor is one of the bravest and sweetest people I know and she deserves the chance to have a life that she can live.

Tor is one of thousands of people on the transplant list, every one with their own story to tell, just like Tor's.

Please, if there is one thing that you do today, please sign up to be a donar and help give hope to thousands of people in this country.

The final part of our National Transplant Week posts will be live soon and will feature an interview with Tor.

Please go to the National Transplant Week website to SIGN UP TODAY