Woking Theatre

Woking Theatre is a large receiving house in the centre of Woking, Surrey, part of the Peacocks Centre complex alongside the smaller Rhoda McGaw Theatre and a six-screen cinema. Opened in 1992 and seating around 1,300, it is one of the biggest touring theatres outside London and is run by ATG Entertainment. The programme mixes large-scale musicals, drama, ballet and opera on tour, comedy, family shows and a Christmas pantomime. With clear sightlines, strong acoustics and a choice of bars and lounges, it is an easy night out just five minutes' walk from Woking station.

The theatre opened in June 1992 as the New Victoria Theatre, the name by which many local audiences still know it, and today operates as Woking Theatre. It was conceived as a large receiving house able to take full-scale touring productions, and with around 1,300 seats it remains one of the biggest theatres of its kind outside London.

Rather than standing alone, the theatre was built as part of a wider arts and leisure complex in the town centre. The same building contains the smaller Rhoda McGaw Theatre and a six-screen cinema, which means Woking can offer studio-scale work, film and big touring shows on one site.

From the start the programme reached well beyond the usual touring circuit. The Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and the Peter Hall Company have all brought drama here, while Glyndebourne on Tour, Scottish Ballet and Northern Ballet Theatre became regular visitors. Award-winning musicals staged at the theatre have included Carmen Jones, Chicago, Cats and Miss Saigon.

The theatre is owned and run by ATG Entertainment, which continues to programme it as one of the South East's leading venues for live performance, with dance from companies such as Matthew Bourne's New Adventures sitting alongside comedy, family shows and the annual pantomime.

Woking Theatre has two entrances: one from Level 1 of the Peacocks Centre and one on Gloucester Square, opposite the Woking Borough Council offices and next to Woking Library.

• Lifts: lift access serves the Stalls and Royal Circle. The Upper Circle is reached by stairs only.
• Step-free access: stair-free access is available to the Box Office, bars, toilets and the back row of the Royal Circle (Row H), with lift access to the Stalls. Box B has stair-free access, Box A has three steps, and all other boxes are reached by stairs.
• Wheelchair spaces: nine spaces in the back row of the Royal Circle and one in the Stalls. These are strongly recommended to be booked in advance.
• Accessible toilets: available on all three levels.
• Assistance dogs: welcome in all areas of the theatre.
• Hidden disabilities: the theatre is a member of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme, and lanyards are free from the Box Office.

Audio described, captioned, BSL interpreted and relaxed performances are scheduled through the year, along with touch tours. For signed performances the theatre suggests seats in Stalls rows H to N (seats 10 to 30) or Royal Circle rows A to C (seats 10 to 30) for a clear view of the interpreter. A free Access Membership Scheme allows accessible seats and eligible companion tickets to be booked online.

Accessibility assistance

0333 009 5399, or Typetalk on 1800 1 0333 009 5399.