Plan Your Visit

We are excited to welcome you to the Duchess Theatre and want you to have the best experience possible whilst you are here. The Duchess Theatre operates strictly under the government COVID-19 guidelines. For further information check the COVID-19 secure section at the bottom of this page. Please note that all bookings in a party must only be from the same household or the legally defined support bubble. 

48 hours before the performance we’ll ask you to check-in online which will involve completing a health questionnaire and providing contact details on behalf of yourself and your party to assist with track and trace. Once completed, we’ll deliver your tickets to your mobile or smart device for contact-free entry to the theatre.

If you or anyone in your party experience symptoms of COVID-19 or are required to self-isolate we have a 100% exchange guarantee up to 24 hours before your performance. Please contact boxoffice@nimaxtheatres.com and they will assist.

If you do not receive your health questionnaire within 48 hours or your e-tickets within 24 hours of your visit, please contact boxoffice@nimaxtheatres.com and our team will assist you.

HOW TO GET HERE

By Car

The nearest car parks are NCP at Upper St Martins Lane and Masterpark at Trafalgar Square

The nearest Q-Park car park is St Martin’s Lane, in Covent Garden or Cockspur Street, in Trafalgar Square. For details of all locations and prices, visit Q-Park’s website. Remember to take advantage of Q-Park’s Theatreland Parking Scheme. It saves you 50% on off-street car parking charges for up to 24 hours. Simply present your Q-Park car park ticket for validation on arrival at our box office, and the car park machine will automatically charge you half price. 

By Public transport

Tube

Covent Garden station is a short 5 minute walk from the Duchess Theatre. Covent Garden station is on the Piccadilly line between Holborn and Leicester Square.

National Rail

The Duchess Theatre is easily accessible from most of the major National Rail London stations. Charing Cross is our nearest National Rail station and is just a 9 minute walk from the theatre. If you are arriving at one of our other major National Rail stations we recommend jumping on the tube for quick onward travel to the theatre. Get the Piccadilly line to Covent Garden (5 minute walk) for 3 stops from Kings Cross, the Northern line for 5 stops from Euston to Charing Cross, the Bakerloo line to Charing Cross for 2 stops from Waterloo or just seven stops on the Bakerloo line from Paddington to Charing Cross. 

Bus

The following bus routes stop on or near Aldwych: RV1, 6, 11, 13, 23, 59, 68, 87, 171, 172, 188, X68

At the bottom of this page, you can find a map showing the location of the venue, and how close the nearest public transport links are.

ACCESS AND FACILITIES 

Nimax Theatres are committed to providing the very best service to all of our patrons and want to ensure your visit is as comfortable as it can be. If you would like to discuss your specific access needs please contact our access team. You can call 0330 333 4815, email access@nimaxtheatres.com or write/visit Duchess Theatre, 3-5 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5LA

To access the auditorium there are 20 stairs down to the Stalls and 11 stairs up to the Dress Circle. Wheelchair user access is provided using the AAT Major Stair Climber. The stair climber accommodates manual wheelchairs up to 66cm (26 inches) wide and 89cm (35 inches) deep including any footrest. The maximum combined weight the Stair Climber can accommodate is 190kg (30 Stones) when distributed evenly across the wheelchair.  Electric wheelchair users may be asked to transfer into the theatre’s manual wheelchair on arrival if the theatre staff consider the electric wheelchair unsuitable for transportation on the Stair Climber. 

Electric and manual wheelchair users are requested to contact our Access Team via phone or email ahead of purchasing tickets to discuss specific requirements and to book the use of the Stair Climber. 

We ask that all patrons requiring the use of the Stair Climber arrive at the theatre 45 minutes before the start of the performance. Follow this LINK to watch a short video clip of the Stair Climber in action. Stalls N1 and J14 provide wheelchair spaces, with companion seats adjacent. 

There is a fully adapted unisex toilet at the rear of the Stalls auditorium and Ladies and Gentleman’s toilets on all levels.

The theatre bars are located in the Foyer and the Stalls. A member of theatre staff will offer assistance purchasing beverages on behalf of customers. Programmes and Ice Creams are available in the main foyer and auditorium. All drinks and refreshments will be available for pre-order to minimise queuing and assist social distancing.

Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome.  For comfort we recommend purchasing a seat on the end of a row.  Alternatively we provide a dog sitting service for 2 dogs at a time; advance booking is recommended.

The theatre is fitted with a Williams Sound hearing assistance system.  Headsets are available on a first come first served basis.

The following receivers are available:

The WIR RX15-2

WIR RX22-4N

The WIR RX15-2 is a two-channel, infrared receiver designed for use with a transmitter operating on 2.3 MHz or 2.8 MHz. This easy-to-operate, headset-style receiver is ideal for listening applications where excellent sound quality is essential. Each earphone features its own individual volume-control knob. A push-button frequency selector makes it easy to alternate between 2.3 MHz or 2.8 MHz operation.

The WIR RX22-4N is a four-channel selectable, infrared receiver compatible with transmitters operating on the 2.3/2.8/3.3/3.8 MHz bandwidth. Dual infrared detectors maximize sensitivity and operating range. Range of up to 28,000 square feet (2,600 square meters) in single-channel mode when used with a Williams Sound WIR TX925 or WIR TX90 infrared system. Comfortable, body-pack design features convenient channel selector and easy-to-use on/off volume control. The RX22-4N can be used with mono or stereo headphones, earphones or a neckloop (lanyard included).

Details of specific access performances for each production can be found on the show pages. These may include relaxed, BSL Interpreted, Audio Described and Captioned performances and are arranged by the producers. To prepare for your visit to the Duchess Theatre to see the relaxed performance of The Play That Goes Wrong, download our visual story here.

TICKET EXCHANGE
Our friendly team will help you re-arrange your visit if you are unable to attend. To request an exchange please complete our online form at least 48 hours before the performance by CLICKING HERE

YOUR VISIT
72 hours before the performance we’ll ask you to check-in online to confirm your attendance.

If you opted for e-tickets or print-at-home tickets, they will be emailed to you after completing check-in. E-tickets can be displayed on your mobile or smart device. Print-at-home tickets can be printed or presented on your mobile or smart device.

If you opted to collect your tickets from the box office or don’t have a smart device please visit the theatre box office on the day of the performance.

If you do not receive your check-in email or your e-tickets before your visit, please visit the box office on the day of the performance and our team will assist you.

Get a 10% discount on all drinks and confectionery, plus save time at the theatre by placing your order prior to your arrival.  Simply download the ‘Nimax Theatres’ app via this link, and make your purchases on the day of the performance, collecting your items at a time to suit you. Discount is applied at checkout.

Please use the hand sanitiser provided as you enter the theatre. Sanitiser can also be found at designated points throughout the building.

All Nimax theatres are sanitised regularly and professionally cleaned.