Accessibility

Audio Description enhances theatre experiences for blind or low-vision patrons by providing live verbal descriptions of the visual elements via a personal headset.

Tactile Tours allow patrons and their companions to explore the set, props, and costumes before the performance. Tours are typically scheduled 1.5 hours prior to the start of the performance, but we will confirm the exact timing closer to the event.

Tickets for audio-described performances can be booked by calling the Black Swan Ticketing Office on (08) 6212 9300 or through the venue ticketing office. Please inform the booking agent if the audio description service is required at the time of purchase.

• Tickets for this service must be purchased at least three working days before the performance. After this, unsold audio-described seats will be released to the general public.
• Patrons are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the performance to collect their equipment and be seated comfortably before the service begins.

For further details about the Audio Description or Tactile Tours, reach out to our team by calling (08) 6212 9300 or email tickets@blackswantheatre.com.au

Black Swan provides Auslan interpretation for selected performances to support d/Deaf and hard of hearing patrons. During these performances, an Auslan interpreter will stand to one side of the stage to translate the dialogue and text live into Auslan. 

To find out which performances include Auslan interpretation, please see our Accessible Performances list below, or refer to the event's calendar on the specific Event Page.

The State Theatre Centre has a Sennheiser Infrared Assisted Hearing System which amplifies sound for patrons who are hard of hearing. Receivers are available free of charge and can be collected from the venue prior to the performance.

If you use a hearing aid with a telecoil switch this can be connected to the relevant signal.

For further assistance or inquiries about our assistive listening services, please contact the venue staff.

Captioning offers an accurate text display of a performance, making it accessible for patrons who are d/Deaf, hard of hearing, or culturally and linguistically diverse.

Open Captioning is displayed on a screen, either above or to one side of the stage.

Closed Captioning is available for all Open Captioned performances and can be accessed via a personal device or through the Go Theatrical app, which is compatible with Apple and Android devices. Alternatively, you can request a captioning device from the venue (subject to availability).

Captioning is available for selected performances. When purchasing tickets, please confirm with your ticket seller or check our website to ensure the performance you choose includes captioning.

For further assistance or questions about captioning services, please contact our team.

Wheelchair seating is available for all performances. Our team can organise seating to accommodate your mobility needs, including no-stairs seating and aisle seating. 

Please contact Black Swan via tickets@blackswantheatre.com.au or (08) 6212 9300 for assistance in booking.

For patrons who require the assistance of a companion or carer, a second ticket is issued at no cost to the Companion Card holder.

• Venue: Heath Ledger Theatre
• Audio Description & Tactile Tour: Saturday 15 March, 1:00pm (Tactile Tour begins 11:30pm)
• Auslan Interpreted Performance: Tuesday 11 March, 7:00pm
• Captioned Performance (Open & Closed): Saturday 15 March, 1:00pm

• Venue: Studio Underground
• Audio Description & Tactile Tour: Wednesday 4 June, 6:30pm (Tactile Tour begins 5:00pm)
• Auslan Interpreted Performance: Tuesday 3 June, 6:30pm
• Captioned Performance (Closed): Saturday 7 June, 2:00pm

• Venue: Heath Ledger Theatre
• Audio Description & Tactile Tour: Sunday 29 June, 5:00pm (Tactile Tour begins 3:30pm)
• Auslan Interpreted Performance: Saturday 28 June, 2:00pm
• Captioned Performance (Open & Closed): Saturday 5 July, 2:00pm

• Venue: Heath Ledger Theatre
• Audio Description & Tactile Tour: Saturday 2 August, 2:00pm (Tactile Tour begins 12:30pm)
• Auslan Interpreted Performance: Tuesday 29 July, 6:30pm
• Captioned Performance (Open & Closed): Saturday 2 August, 2:00pm

• Venue: Heath Ledger Theatre
• Audio Description & Tactile Tour: Saturday 13 September, 2:00pm (Tactile Tour begins 12:30pm)
• Auslan Interpreted Performance: Saturday 6 September, 2:00pm
• Captioned Performance (Open & Closed): Saturday 13 September, 2:00pm

• Venue: Heath Ledger Theatre
• Audio Description & Tactile Tour: Saturday 13 December, 2:00pm (Tactile Tour begins 12:30pm)
• Auslan Interpreted Performance: Tuesday 9 December, 6:30pm
• Captioned Performance (Open & Closed): Saturday 13 December, 2:00pm

Lifts service the Main Foyer up to Heath Ledger Theatre foyer level 2. There is a separate lift that can then take patrons up to upper stalls and circle with mobility restrictions as per the below guidelines.

Patrons who experience difficulties with stairs should purchase tickets in the below areas:

No Stairs – Stalls Row E, Stalls Row O and Circle Row G. These rows include the designated wheelchair seats. All other rows require a step up or down. If patrons have severe mobility restrictions but are not using a wheelchair, they should contact the venue on (08) 6212 9292 to request appropriate seating. Alternatively, please purchase seats in Row E or O in Stalls, or Row G in circle.

Minimal Stairs (2 to 4 stairs up/down) – Stalls Rows C to G, N and M. Circle Row F.

Your ticket will note a Door for entry into the auditorium. These assigned doors are a guide only to improve general patron access to the theatre space, however, if you have mobility problems, please approach a State Theatre Centre staff member upon arrival at the venue for directions on the best access route to your seat.

Standard Wheelchairs – Stalls E1, E28, O13 and Circle GG1 and GG29

Large Electric and Scooter Wheelchairs - Stalls O13 and Circle GG1 and GG29

Carer Seats - Stalls, E2, E27, O12 and Circle G1 and G29

Full Layback Wheelchairs - Please contact the venue on (08) 6212 9292 for the best seating position.

The Venue has two wheelchairs available on site which can be requested for use by patrons for access around the venue if necessary. Please contact the venue directly if you would like a staff member to meet you at the entrance with a wheelchair on the night of your attendance. This can be booked by calling (08) 6212 9200.

Accessible toilets are available on the Main Foyer level (in the Courtyard), Heath Ledger Theatre foyer level (closest for Stalls Row E), as well as upper stalls (closest for Stalls Row O) and circle (closest for Circle Row G).

There are two, 5 minute drop off bays directly outside the State Theatre Centre. They are located:

• Roe Street
• William Street

There are three City of Perth parking locations near the venue. They are as follows:

• State Library at 15 Francis Street which has 7 ACROD bays (24 hours)
• The Cultural Centre at 2 Roe Street which has 4 ACROD bays (refer to operational hours of the car park)
• Roe Street at 68 Roe Street which has 5 ACROD bays (refer to operational hours of the car park)

Lifts service the Main Foyer down to the Studio Underground foyer level. There is a separate lift that can then take patrons down to the Studio Underground stage level if required, depending on the configuration of seating and staging for that particular performance.

The standard configuration is in a proscenium layout– Rows AA to H, seats 1-26.

Patrons who experience difficulties with stairs should purchase tickets in the below areas:

No Stairs – Row H. All other rows require a step down. Row H includes the designated wheelchair seat. If patrons have severe mobility restrictions but are not using a wheelchair, they should contact the venue on 6212 9292 to request appropriate seating. Alternatively please purchase seats in other Row H seats.

Minimal Stairs (2 to 4 stairs down) – Rows F to G. Please note, Rows AA (nil stairs), A, and B (2 to 4 stairs up) can be used as an option for mobility restricted patrons but utilisation of these seats needs to be confirmed by through the venue on (08) 6212 9292 on a per show basis to confirm access is available due to staging, etc.

Access requirements for patrons who experience difficulties with stairs should be confirmed with the venue on (08) 6212 9292 for alternate seating configurations as the requirements will vary.

The Studio Underground has wheelchair seating locations available both on the flat floor and on the balcony.

Standard Configuration:

All Wheelchairs - Row H Seats 63/64

Alternate Configurations:

All Wheelchairs - Contact the venue on (08) 6212 9292 for the best seating position.

The Venue has two wheelchairs available on site which can be requested for use by patrons for access around the venue if necessary. Please contact the venue directly if you would like a staff member to meet you at the entrance with a wheelchair on the night of their attendance. This can be booked through stage door on (08) 6212 9200.

Accessible toilets are available on the Main Foyer level (in the Courtyard), and the Studio Underground foyer level. For alternate seating configurations, access toilets are also available on the Studio Underground stage level Basement 2. Please ask our friendly staff for directions to the bathroom.