FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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How long is the performance? 

The performance is 2 hours, including an interval. 

 

Are the actors amplified, or do they project their voices without microphones? 

The actors wear radio microphones and are discreetly supported by a PA system.  

  

Is seating provided? 

At most venues, guests should bring their own blankets or folding chairs.  Some venues do provide seating, which will be noted on the individual booking page. The set is designed to ensure clear sightlines from all areas. 

 

Is the performance area covered? 
Our summer performances take place fully outdoors, so please dress appropriately for the weather. You may find items like sunscreen, insect repellent, waterproofs, or an umbrella useful. 

 

Is there a bar or café available? 

Amenities vary by venue, so please check the booking page for details on the venue you’re visiting. 

 

Is the performance suitable for children?  

For Macbeth we recommend suitability for children 8+.  Please note: contains scenes of war, violence and death. 

 

Can I bring my dog to the performance?  

We can only admit assistance dogs to our performances. 

 

Is the performance the original text or a modern adaptation of the original?  

We use Shakespeare’s original text, which is trimmed down to two hours. Our productions are respectful to the attitudes and social context of Shakespeare’s Elizabethan England, but may be designed in a different era, (e.g. A Midsummer Night’s Dream 2022 was loosely set in the Edwardian era and Romeo and Juliet, 2021 was contextualized in the 1940’s). 

 

Can carers come for free? 
All carers go free at our events. If you are an audience member who requires a carer to attend with you, please first of all book your own ticket, then email boxoffice@thedukestheatrecompany.co.uk with name, email address and booking number along with proof of the carer’s status and we will email you a complimentary carer’s ticket. We accept the following as proof of carers status: 
   • Attendance Allowance Letter (AA) 
   • Carers’ Allowance Letter of Award 
   • Disability Living Allowance Letter (DLA) 
   • Personal Independence Payments (PIP) 
   • Armed Forces Independence Payments (AFIP) 
   • Valid Blue Badge 
 
* Note, this applies to venues where The Duke’s Theatre Company Ltd is running the ticketing through the Ticketsource platform. For venues running their own box office please contact the venue directly to enquiry about carers' tickets. 

 

I can no longer make the performance, what can I do with my tickets?  

If you can no longer use a ticket(s) that you have purchased, we can offer an exchange of your ticket for a different performance. This is easy to do - directions are supplied at the time of booking.  We regret that we do not offer refunds for unused tickets with the exception of patrons who opt to take out specific insurance through our ticket agent, Ticketsource.   

 
Weather policy: 
Because weather can change in a moment without notice, we never cancel a performance sooner than one hour before curtain up unless an extreme event (lightning, heat over 35 degrees Celsius, or wind over 29mph) is predicted within 4 hours leading up to the performance. In all other weather, the performance continues.  If an extreme weather event occurs after the performance has started, the performance will be abandoned. If heavy rain lasts for more than 5 minutes after the performance has started, the performance will pause for up to 20 minutes after which the performance will be abandoned.  No refunds can be offered in the case of any weather cancellation.  What we can offer is an exchange to another performance on the tour.  In the event of a cancelled performance, you will receive an email from us the following day asking whether you’d like to exchange your tickets.   

 

* Note, this applies to venues where The Duke’s Theatre Company Ltd are running the ticketing through the Ticketsource platform.  For venues running their own box office, please see the venue’s own exchange/cancellation policy.  We take absolutely every effort to look after our audiences and encourage every ticket holder to wear appropriate clothing for all weather eventualities including hot, cold, wet and windy conditions. 
 
Here is a breakdown of our weather policy conditions:   
Drizzle, light, intermittent, moderate rain: Performance continues

Wind & gusts 0 - 28MPH: Performance continues

Temperature below 35C: Performance continues

Heavy rain for 5 minutes: Performance pauses for up to 20 minutes

Wind & gusts 28MPH+: Performance abandoned

Lightning: Performance abandoned

Temperature above 35C: Performance abandoned