Crescent Theatre
ENTRY
from £13
WHERE
Birmingham
What it’s like
A proper theatre in Brindleyplace with plays like Wait Until Dark and relaxed performances for families who need a gentler show.
This is a working theatre, not a soft play or a farm, so what you get is seats, a stage and a couple of hours of a proper production. Shows on offer include A Woman of No Importance and Wait Until Dark, both £13, which feels fair for a night out that isn't a big touring musical. There's no age range given on the site, so use your judgement on whether your child can sit through a two-act play rather than expecting anything pitched at toddlers.
Where it gets more useful for families is the relaxed performances. The theatre amends the sound and lighting for these, raising the house lights and softening the effects so it's less of a shock to the system, and you're free to walk in and out of the auditorium if someone needs a break. The catch is you can't book these online, it has to be a phone call or a trip to the box office, which is a faff compared to clicking a button but at least means a human can talk you through what to expect.
Babes in arms only get in free if the specific performance is aimed at that age group, and they sit on your lap rather than getting their own seat, so don't turn up to a normal evening show with a six month old expecting a seat to be waiting. Doors open 45 minutes before the show and the auditorium 15 minutes before, which gives you time to get settled without hanging about too long.
There's no onsite car park, so it's Q-Park Brindleyplace over the road, and Crescent customers get 20% off with a code if you book ahead. The building itself is fully accessible with a lift to every floor, but wheelchair spaces are limited enough that they ask you to call and check before you go. If you're cycling there's bike parking on site, and the Brindleyplace tram stop is a four minute walk if you fancy leaving the car out of it altogether.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Q-Park Brindleyplace multi-storey adjacent to theatre
- Pushchairs
- Buggies and pushchairs can be collapsed and stored at your own risk in the bar
- Wheelchairs
- Fully accessible building with lift access to all public floors
- Getting there by bus or train
- Brindleyplace tram stop 4 minutes walk
- Buggies can be collapsed and stored in the bar at your own risk, just ask the Duty Manager
- There's bike parking if you're cycling in rather than driving
- Q-Park Brindleyplace has 12 disabled parking spaces
- Nearest stations are a 15 to 20 minute walk, so the tram stop 4 minutes away is the easier bet
Plan your visit
How much are tickets?
£13 for shows like A Woman of No Importance and Wait Until Dark.
Is there a car park?
No onsite car park, but Q-Park Brindleyplace is right next door and Crescent customers get 20% off with a code if you pre-book.
What's a relaxed performance?
One where the sound and lighting get amended and the house lights raised, so it's a gentler experience for anyone who finds a dark, loud auditorium tricky. You can walk in and out during the show.
Can I book a relaxed performance online?
Phone or box office only for those, the regular shows book online fine.
What time should we arrive?
Main doors open 45 minutes before the show starts, with the auditorium doors opening 15 minutes before that.
Is it OK to bring a baby?
Only if the performance is specifically aimed at babes in arms, in which case under 18 months go free but sit on your lap rather than in their own seat.
Is the theatre accessible for wheelchairs?
There's lift access to all floors and dedicated wheelchair spaces, but they're limited so it's best to call ahead and check availability.
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