Access Page

As a resident or simply a lover of Norwich our shows are made with you in mind, whoever you may be. Therefore, it is important to us that you are able to access it in a meaningful way, where you feel able to follow along and enjoy the immersion of our site specific work, regardless of your access needs. 

Measures we have already taken to make our next show On The Huh! 900 Years of Norwich Market more inclusive include:

1. A step-free wheelchair accessible route around the market, allowing wheelchair users to experience each stage of our promenade performance. There are sloped paths in this route. 

2. Toilets will be open at The Forum including a Changing Places Toilet which will be open to audiences before, during and after shows. 

3. Provision of a visual story to prepare audiences for the content, space, route and activity involved in the show. It is important to note that we anticipate audience sizes of several hundred per show. Therefore the show might be rather loud in places due to audience response, as well as the volume of singing from the choir who appear in each performance. 

4. There will be a BSL signed version of the show on 24th July 7.30pm. 

5. Access specific stewards (identifiable by a bright blue t-shirt) who support audience members with disabilities in finding suitable space to see the show. The stewards will move with the show.

6. Timings for the whole show are below so that audience members know how long each section is and can judge whether to bring their own seating/have an aid for travelling the routes. 

If you think it would be helpful for your enjoyment and involvement as an audience member for us to know of your access needs, please fill in this form by Thursday 16th July, telling us the show(s) you plan to attend and informing us how we can maximise your enjoyment. We will then respond to you directly to start a conversation about what would be most helpful for you, so that you can get the most out of our show in a way that is bespoke to your needs. 

These measures can include but are not limited to:

1. Being assigned a specific access steward who will assist you where necessary throughout the audience journey. 

2. Bespoke guidance around transport and getting to Norwich Market.

We want our cast, crew and Singers to capture what Norwich looks like, and the experiences of everyone who lives here, as authentically as possible. As a result we have a range of inclusive measures in place to help make rehearsals feel welcoming and accessible for all.

It is important that those who identify as having a disability fill in this form before participating with us, so that we can welcome you as effectively as possible. We will then respond to you directly to start a conversation about what would be most helpful for you, so that you can get the most out of our projects in a way that is bespoke to your needs. 

These measures can include but are not limited to:

1. Provision of visual stories to show what our Singers groups and rehearsals look like, what you can expect from the sessions content-wise, who to speak to if you have an access related question etc. 

2. We do not rehearse in spaces without stepfree access and disabled toilets. Our office and making space at 185 Drayton Rd is also wheelchair accessible with a ramp. We make toilets available to all participants on show days from call time to get out. For a processional show we have stewards allocated to cast members or Singers who might need support in moving from stage to stage.

3. The majority of our creative work is scripted. We are happy to print songbooks and scripts in a way that suits you such as in a different font, in larger text, on different coloured paper etc. You can express your needs via this form.

4. Our rehearsal schedules and other resources typically appear as text on The Common Lot Online. Participants also receive paper copies at the start of each project. If it is more helpful to receive this information in a different format such as a voice note please include this in your access form. 

5. Each rehearsal venue has a designated quiet space for a break or to regulate if needed.

6. As a friendly community based collective, The Common Lot members are proactive and generous in arranging liftshares amongst the cast and Singers, usually via the WhatsApp groups you will be invited to join. Alternatively accessible taxis can be arranged through hello@thecommonlot.org.

7. We adapt rehearsals so that people who are hard of hearing can face the director.