Facilities for Deaf / Hard of Hearing

Infrared sound systems are available to amplify sound via a personal receiver which can be borrowed for your visit. This can be used with or without a hearing aid.  Please note that there is no infrared sound system or hearing loop available in Moor Space.

Selected film screenings in our programme are captioned for hard-of-hearing patrons.  Look out for the Caption Icon:

Occasional visiting shows and every show produced by the Dukes, have a British Sign Language Interpreted Performance. 

Current BSL Interpreted performances include:

Robin Hood: 8th August

Cinderella: Date TBC

Our Rake auditorium is equipt with Sennheiser MobileConnect, an assistive and personal listening solution that streams live audio content via WiFi to any iOS or Android phone. (please note that this is not yet available in our Round auditoriun or Moor Space)

Before you visit, simply download and install the free MobileConnect app.  Once you're here, connect to our MobileConnect WiFi (Password is MobileConnect).  Use the Dukes QR codes (available on screen & at box office) to access Channel 1 (live theatre & cinema) or Channel 2 (Direct cinema sound).  Link to your own earphones or bluetooth compatible hearing aids and you'll receive the same high-quality audio as everyone else, with complete control over your volume and sound settings.

MobileConnect can also translate audio to text:  On your phone, go into Settings//Accessibility// Live Captions, then turn on.     The captions then show in the App screen alongside the Audio track.

Please arrive nice and early if you require assistance from our staff in getting set up with Mobile Connect

* Many thanks to funding from WO Street Charitable Foundation and 3R Charity 

WatchWord is an ‘always-on’ closed-captioning accessibility system designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing customers

It works by broadcasting closed captions, provided with a film (or theatre production), over Wi-Fi to augmented reality glasses. These glasses can be worn over prescription glasses and around cochlear implants.

While many films or theatre performances display open captions on screen, WatchWord offers a discreet closed-captioning system, ensuring that only those wearing the glasses can see the captions. Unlike other forms of closed captioning, the use of augmented reality glasses provides users with a superior line-of-sight viewing experience, so there’s no need to look away from the stage or screen.

WatchWord has been designed to be easy to use. Once you’ve requested the glasses by emailing tickets@dukeslancaster.org, simply collect them from our staff, who will show you how they work (please allow plenty of extra time before the event to try the glasses out in the comfort of the cafe bar before entering the auditorium)

Find out more about WatchWord

We are limited to two pairs of glasses, so it is vital you reserve a pair in advance to guarantee we have enough available.

Please arrive nice and early to allow time to get set up with the equipment before the event starts.

*Look out in our listings for the WatchWord icon:

Many thanks to funding from Theatres Trust / Linbury Trust.