Accessibility at Half Moon
We strive to provide inclusive working practice for artists and staff, and an accessible theatrical and participatory experience for all our audiences.
We at Half Moon are confident that we offer an accessible experience for everyone. If you do have any questions or recommendations please don’t hesitate to contact us on hello@halfmoon.org.uk or by using the form at the bottom of the page.
Our Building
- Half Moon is a fully accessible building.
- All public and backstage areas of our theatre and building are accessible.
- There are 11 steps to our foyer; there is also an accessible lift to the foyer.
- There is a hearing loop system in the auditorium. To use this please switch your hearing aid or CI to the hearing loop setting (also known as the ‘T’ setting or program).
- Blind and visually impaired audiences can pre-book touch tours prior to all performances.
- All shows are relaxed performances.
- We have adult and baby changing facilities and space for buggies.
- Some shows include British Sign Language (BSL). We also offer three digital On Demand shows for audiences to watch at home with BSL and two with Audio Descriptions.
Social Story: Visiting Half Moon
Social stories are short descriptions or films of a particular situation, event or activity, which include specific information about what to expect in that situation and why. They can help teach social skills to people with autism and make certain situations feel less daunting. The films below are both social stories about visiting Half Moon Theatre.
Virtual tour
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We are near to the fully accessible Limehouse station on the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) which is two stops from Bank (Central line) or Tower Gateway (District & Circle line). The DLR is lift accessible from Bank from street level only. Alternatively, there are lift accessible stations on the Jubilee line at Westminster and Waterloo, then change at Canning Town or Canary Wharf for the DLR to Limehouse.
1) If arriving by Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
- If travelling from Bank or Tower Gateway, upon exiting the train there is a lift located to the right at the end of the platform and a set of stairs in the middle and at the far right, you need to take the stairs in the middle marked for Bekesbourne Street.
- If arriving from Lewisham or Stratford direction, the lift is located to the right at the end of the platform with a set of steps in the middle of the platform and far left. You need to exit in the middle marked for Bekesbourne Street.
- Upon reaching the station level on the left hand side there is a concealed ramp or a set of five steps on the right hand side leading to road level
2) If arriving by C2C overground train
- Upon exiting the train the exit steps and lifts are located at the end of the platform. As you reaching the station concourse and exit through the ticket barriers directly ahead of you there is a set of 6 steps, and to your far left a concealed ramp to street level.
- Upon reaching the street level turn right and walk 10 metres to the end of the road. To your right is a railway bridge spanning the road and to your left is a large four-way junction with a large advertising billboard on the left hand side and on the opposite corner a Nisa Local shop. Walk left towards the Nisa Local. Walking down this road you will pass a bus stop and a series of shops and restaurants. Upon reaching the end of the road (40 metres) there is a crossing on your right with a lowered kerb and tactile paving, and a crossing button located at a mid point on the right hand post. Crossing to the middle there is another set of lights with a crossing button again on the right hand lamppost. Once across you are facing down White Horse Road and on the left hand side is a large three storey white Victorian building (15 metres away) with two large black lampposts just one building along from Nisa Local – this is Half Moon.
- On arriving at the main door (a large black door flanked by the lampposts with an internal glass door) there is a square silver box with a buzzer located on the right hand outside wall, press this and a member of staff will open the door.
The total walking time from DLR/overground stations to Half Moon is approximately 4 minutes.
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There are fully accessible buses 135 (Old street to Cross Harbour), 15 (East Ham to Aldgate), 115 (East Ham to Paddington) and D3 (Cross Harbour to Bethnal Green) which stop on the Commercial Road just by the junction with White Horse Road. A five minute walk from us the 309 and 339 stop on Ben Jonson Road and the 25 stops on Mile End Road, next to Stepney Green tube station.
1) If arriving by bus coming from Liverpool Street/Aldgate direction
- Exit the bus on Commercial Road just before the railway bridge spanning the road that is part of Limehouse DLR/overground station. Facing the buildings, turning left and go the short distance to the end of the road (approximately 25 metres) you will pass a series of shops.
- Ahead there is a large four-way junction with a large advertising billboard on the far left side and on the right hand corner a Nisa Local shop. Upon reaching the end of the road there is a lower kerb with tactile paving and the crossing button is located at a mid point on the left hand post.
- Once across, on the right down White Horse Road is a large three storey white Victorian building (20 metres away) with two large black lampposts just one building along from the Nisa Local – this is Half Moon.
- On arriving at the main door (a large black door flanked by the lampposts with an internal glass door) there is a square silver box with a buzzer located on the right hand outside wall, press this and a member of staff will open the door.
Total walking time: approximately 2 minutes
2) If arriving by bus coming from Stratford/Canary Wharf direction
- Exit the bus outside Limehouse DLR/overground station just after the railway bridge, which spans the road. If facing the buildings on your right will be a large four-way junction with a large advertising billboard directly ahead and on the opposite corner a Nisa Local shop.
- Upon reaching the end of the road (approximately 30 metres) there is a crossing on your right with a lowered kerb and tactile paving, and a crossing button located at a mid point on the right hand post. Crossing to the middle there is another set of lights with a crossing button again on the right hand lamppost.
- Once across you are facing down White Horse Road and on the left hand side will is a large three storey white Victorian building (20 metres away) with two large black lampposts just one building along from the Nisa Local – this is Half Moon.
- On arriving at the main door (a large black door flanked by the lampposts with an internal glass door) there is a square silver box with a buzzer located on the right hand outside wall, press this and a member of staff will open the door.
Total walking time: 3 minutes
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Street parking on White Horse Road is free between 5.30pm and 8.30am weekdays and all day Saturdays and Sundays and to disabled patrons at all times.
Paid meter parking is available at all other times.
Unfortunately, there are no designated Blue Badge parking spaces near Half Moon. All parking is street parking.
We are not within the Congestion Charge zone.
Please note that bicycles can be chained to the front of the building and to nearby lamposts. However we cannot ensure the security of bicycles left outside our building. We have bike racks situated behind the building. Speak to a member of staff to find out how to access these.
- Half Moon is based at the end of White Horse Road, near to the four-way junction of Commercial Road, White Horse Road and the Limehouse Link.
- It can be approached from all directions as a pedestrian, but car access is restricted as White Horse Road is a one-way street.
General hazards to be aware of:
All pavements in this area are uneven and have a fair amount of street furniture, such as lampposts and wheelie bins, so care is needed when travelling.
Commercial Road is a very busy main road and is very noisy, so extra care is needed when crossing.
Staff will be waiting to welcome you upon your arrival, and are always available to offer advice on travelling.
BSL productions to watch at home
Currently available are Dust (ages 4-9), The House That Jackson Built (ages 4-10) and Paper Aeroplane (ages 3-7). All three productions also have closed captioning for d/Deaf and hard of hearing audiences. Join us for an online performance that puts your sofa in the front row!
Watch Dust Watch The House That Jackson Built Watch Paper AeroplaneAudio Described productions to watch at home
Currently available are Butterflies (ages 3-8) and Party (ages 3-7). Join us for an online performance that puts the best seats in the house into your own home.
Watch Butterflies Watch PartyOur website
Our website has been designed to provide you with an enjoyable interactive experience, as well as striving to be inclusive and accessible to all users, regardless of disability or technology limitations.
We have tried to satisfy all the criteria recommended to achieve full accessibility standards compliance without making sacrifices to design or interactivity. We at Half Moon are confident that this site will be a fun and accessible experience for everyone while recognising the differences between web browsers and online standards.
Learn moreYouth Theatres
Half Moon runs eight fully inclusive Youth Theatre groups as well as a specialist group for teenagers with disabilities. We will discuss access needs with prospective members and provide the appropriate support to enable young people of all abilities to participate in the group.
Learn moreWork in Schools
Half Moon works in partnership with educational facilities delivering specialist workshops and residencies in Special Schools. We deliver bespoke projects in collaboration with specialist settings, or particular units within mainstream schools which meet and complement each individual centre’s needs.
Learn moreGet in touch
If you would like further information about our work with young people with disabilities call us on 020 7709 8908 or fill out the form below.
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