London Palladium, London
London Palladium, 8 Argyll Street. London, W1F 7TF
I am starting with the first theatre we went to this year, and one that we regularly go to.
The Wheelchair spaces are at the end of several Rows at the left hand side of the Stalls (when facing the stage). Which Rows depends on what is actually on at the Theatre.
The Accessible Entrance, to the Auditorium, is a bit of a slalom, as you come in at the side of the Main Theatre Entrance, near the Box Office. You have to go through Main Stalls Bar, so beware, there are lots of people about and the ramp, between the Bar and the Auditorium, is somewhere that people congregate. The Theatre provide an Access Host to help you on the way in to your seat, in the Ausitorium.
Once you arrive at the entrance to the Auditorium, be careful, as the floor is raked (ramped). You need to negotiate going along the back of the Salls, from the centre to the left hand side and the ground it raked (ramped), at 90 degrees so it can be really difficult. Some of the Access Hosts may be able to help you with this.
I know that once they provided an Access Host to push my husband’s Wheelchaoir along and another to steer the front of his wheelchair, so he didn't go into the back of the Stalls. In the interval, again beware, as people congregate behind the Stalls and it is difficult to get out.
If there is a downside to the Accessible route into the Auditorium, it is that it is virtually impossible to purchase merchandise or drinks. You pass both on the way into the Auditorium, but at that time you just want to get to your seat or to the Accessible Toilet. If you want a drink or merchandise, please remember to get them on the way in, if you can. The Access Hosts don't offervdo this for you, as they do at some theatres.
The Access Seats have a good view, although a slightly side on view.
We did think, at one stage, that we would never go back to this Theatre, because of the raking, at the back of the Stalls, but to be honest, they have such good shows on here, we put up with that bit of pain.
Overall, there is a good view, a good Accessible Toilet and if you have someone with you to go to and fro for merchandise and/or drinks, you have it made.
I would give this a 7/10 rating