The Academy Theatre
WHERE
Barnsley
What it’s like
Touring West End shows and pantomimes on a proper stage, with a restaurant next door for the pre-show bit.
This is a theatre in the traditional sense, so what your kids do here is sit and watch. The programme covers West End touring productions through to pantomimes, which covers a lot of ground: big, loud, colourful shows at one end, and the panto shouting-at-the-stage stuff at the other. If your child's the sort who can sit through a show without needing to run about halfway through, this is the box ticked.
The Stage Door restaurant on site is clearly built around the idea that you eat before curtain up rather than rush in. There's also a bar that doubles as a café during the day, so you can get a coffee in without committing to a full meal. It's a sensible setup if you're coming straight from work or school and don't fancy cooking first.
Parking's free and large, with the entrance opposite Aldi on Sheffield Road, which is about as easy a direction as you'll get. Access inside is level, with six wheelchair positions in the auditorium, though you do need to book those ahead and there's a size limit on wheelchairs (46cm x 40cm) worth knowing before you turn up. Assistance dogs are welcome too.
There's no age guide given for the shows themselves, so that's one to weigh up against whatever's actually on rather than the venue in general. Pantomime season is the obvious one to save for the bigger family outing, given how much of the programme it takes up.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Large free car park, entrance opposite Aldi on Sheffield Road
- Food
- On-site restaurant (The Stage Door) for pre-show dining, theatre bar open throughout evening and as a café during the day
- Wheelchairs
- Level access, 6 wheelchair positions in auditorium (book ahead), max size 46cm x 40cm, assistance dogs welcome
- Wheelchair spaces need booking ahead, not just turning up on the day
- Assistance dogs are welcome in the auditorium
- The bar runs as a café by day and a bar through the evening performances
Plan your visit
What kind of shows are on?
A mix of West End touring productions and pantomimes. What's suitable for your child will depend on the specific show rather than the venue.
Is there parking?
A large free car park, with the entrance opposite Aldi on Sheffield Road.
Can we eat there?
The Stage Door restaurant is set up for pre-show dining, and the bar works as a daytime café too.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs?
Level access throughout, with six wheelchair positions in the auditorium. You need to book those spaces ahead and there's a size limit of 46cm by 40cm.
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