FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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How long is the performance? 

The performance is 2 hours, including an interval. 

 

Are the actors amplified, or do they project their voices without microphones? 

The actors wear radio microphones and are discreetly supported by a PA system.  

  

Is seating provided? 

At most venues, guests should bring their own blankets or folding chairs.  Some venues do provide seating, which will be noted on the individual booking page. The set is designed to ensure clear sightlines from all areas. 

 

Is the performance area covered? 
Our summer performances take place fully outdoors, so please dress appropriately for the weather. You may find items like sunscreen, insect repellent, waterproofs, or an umbrella useful. 

 

Is there a bar or café available? 

Amenities vary by venue, so please check the booking page for details on the venue you’re visiting. 

 

Is the performance suitable for children?  

Romeo and Juliet contains themes and depictions of war, violence, suicide and death, which may be distressing for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised, and it is recommended for ticket holders aged seven and above.

 

Can I bring my dog to the performance?  

We can only admit assistance dogs to our performances. 

 

Is the performance the original text or a modern adaptation of the original?  

We use Shakespeare’s original text, which is trimmed down to two hours. Our productions are respectful to the attitudes and social context of Shakespeare’s Elizabethan England, but may be designed in a different era, (e.g. A Midsummer Night’s Dream 2022 was loosely set in the Edwardian era and Romeo and Juliet, 2021 was contextualized in the 1940’s). 

 

Can carers come for free? 
All carers go free at our events. If you are an audience member who requires a carer to attend with you, please first of all book your own ticket, then email boxoffice@thedukestheatrecompany.co.uk with name, email address and booking number along with proof of the carer’s status and we will email you a complimentary carer’s ticket. We accept the following as proof of carers status: 
   • Attendance Allowance Letter (AA) 
   • Carers’ Allowance Letter of Award 
   • Disability Living Allowance Letter (DLA) 
   • Personal Independence Payments (PIP) 
   • Armed Forces Independence Payments (AFIP) 
   • Valid Blue Badge

   • Access Card (Sometimes known as a Nimbus card)
 
* Note, this applies to venues where The Duke’s Theatre Company Ltd is running the ticketing through the Ticketsource platform. For venues running their own box office please contact the venue directly to enquiry about carers' tickets. 

 

I can no longer make the performance, what can I do with my tickets?  

If you can no longer use a ticket(s) that you have purchased, we can offer an exchange of your ticket for a different performance. This is easy to do - directions are supplied at the time of booking.  We regret that we do not offer refunds for unused tickets with the exception of patrons who opt to take out specific insurance through our ticket agent, Ticketsource.   

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Can I request a BSL-interpreter at a performance I wish to attend?
We are committed to making our productions as accessible as possible. Requests for BSL interpretation are always welcome. Because live theatre interpretation—particularly for Shakespeare—requires specialist preparation and interpreter availability, we encourage requests at the earliest opportunity (ideally six to eight weeks before the performance where possible). We will always make reasonable efforts to accommodate later requests, although we cannot guarantee that a suitably qualified interpreter will be available.

 
Weather Policy.

As weather conditions can change quickly, we do not normally cancel a performance more than one hour before the advertised start time. Exceptions apply only where the Met Office forecast predicts a temperature above 38°C at the scheduled time of the performance, wind speeds above 39mph at the time of the performance, or where conditions make it unsafe for the company to set up in the hours leading up to the performance. For clarity, all weather decisions are based solely on the Met Office forecast.

Our ambition is always to complete the performance wherever it is safe to do so. In periods of heavy rain, we may temporarily pause the performance and resume once conditions improve.

If a performance is cancelled due to weather, refunds are not available. However, ticket holders are welcome to exchange their tickets, subject to availability, for another performance on the current tour at any venue where tickets are sold directly by The Duke's Theatre Company.

We'll share all weather updates by email and on our official social media channels. To help us manage performances safely, we're unable to respond to individual weather enquiries, so please keep an eye on these channels for the latest information.

For detailed weather and exchange policy, please click: https://www.thedukestheatrecompany.co.uk/weather-and-exchanges