Accessibility at The Hannah
We are committed to making sure everyone feels welcome, comfortable, and able to enjoy their experience at The Hannah; whether you're attending a performance, visiting the venue, or working behind the scenes. We believe that great art and culture should be accessible to all, and we’re continually working to ensure our space reflects that belief.
For any access requirements – including but not restricted to – mobility, vision, hearing, sensation and also companion seating please contact us so we can assist and advise what is available. If shows are NZSL interpreted, audio described or have relaxed performances, this will be mentioned in the website listing. Please note: The Hannah does not currently have a hearing loop.
We welcome assistance dogs and are happy to accommodate specific needs wherever possible. If you have any questions or would like to discuss how we can support your visit, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help.
Mobility Parking Spaces
There is no parking available at The Hannah. There are two mobility parking spaces within a block of the Hannah Playhouse. One is located at the Wakefield Street (New World) end of Blair Street. The other is located on Courtenay Place in the slip lane near the Cambridge Terrace end.
The nearest bus stop is just around the corner on Courtenay Place. The 1, 2, 4, 14, 20, 21, 23, 24, 29, 30x, 31x, 32x, 35, 36, 38x, 52, 56, 57, 58, 60e, 81, 83, 84, N1, N8, and Airport Express all arrive / depart from here.
The Hannah Facilities
Ground Floor
The Ground Floor foyer houses the Box Office, with entry off Cambridge Terrace. The lift is to the right of the main doors as you enter, which is always open to Level 1 and is opened to Level 2 when the auditorium is open to the public. There is a small amount of seating available on the ground floor.
Level 1
Level 1 is home to the Halfway Up Bar and bathrooms (multi-stall and accessible single stall). Please note, there is no hoist system in the toilets.
The Halfway Up Bar seating has adjustable height bar stools. There is a nook to your left as you enter the bar area, which has a sofa and some low seating.
Unless using the lift, there is a flight of 20 stairs between Ground Floor and Level 1. Both the stairs and Level 1 are carpeted.
Level 2
Level 2 is the auditorium, please see details below. Lift access from the ground floor to the auditorium is available once the auditorium is open to the public.
There are 20 steps between Level 1 and Level 2, which are carpeted, as are the hallways. The auditorium flooring is a mix of wood and concrete.
Balcony
The balcony is a mezzanine level, only accessible via 20 stairs. The balcony flooring is wooden.
Special Effects
Productions sometimes use lighting, smoke and sound effects that may not be suitable for all audiences. If you have questions about a particular show, please contact us to discuss. Signage will be also displayed outside the theatre if any effects are in use.
Hannah Playhouse Auditorium
The Hannah in its end-stage configuration, has a 243-seat auditorium, with two entry points:
There is flat wheelchair access from the auditorium foyer into the front row of the auditorium stalls. Stalls are tiered with 22 steps between the front and rear of the stalls (rows A through I).
The other entrance is to the balcony seating, which is up 20 steps to enter into the back of the auditorium. There is no wheelchair or lift access to the Balcony.
Wheelchairs
The auditorium has one dedicated wheelchair space in the front row. However, the front row also has adjustable seats which can be removed to accommodate additional wheelchairs. Please let us know at the time of booking if you or one of your group uses a wheelchair, and whether the wheelchair user wishes to remain in their wheelchair or transfer to a seat. Please note, The Hannah does not provide wheelchairs for patron use while watching shows.
Restricted Mobility and Vision Impairments
We are happy to provide assistance for patrons with mobility or vision impairments; an usher will be available to walk you to your seat. You can advise us at the time of booking if you require access assistance, but if assistance becomes necessary unexpectedly, that’s fine too. If you let us know when you book that you or one of your group has difficulty with stairs, our ushers will aim to seat you in the front row or close to the stage.
We ask that patrons requiring assistance arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the performance and wait in the Halfway Up Bar foyer for the house to open, so you can make your way into the auditorium prior to the rush.
If you would like assistance to exit the auditorium during the interval, just let one of our ushers know.
Service Dogs
We welcome service and guide dogs at the Hannah – please inform us or the ticketing agency at the time of booking. We will aim to offer aisle or front row seating.
Any suggestions?
We are always looking to improve accessibility and improve service to our patrons – if you have any suggestions on how we can improve our accessibility, please let us know by filling in the form on our Contact page.