Audiences Get a Grip at the Tabard Theatre
New handrails installed ahead of a busy Spring season
The new handrails will help people negotiate the steep steps. Picture: Tabard Theatre
|
April 20, 2026
Audiences visiting the theatre this spring will find it easier to navigate the auditorium thanks to the installation of new handrails along the venue’s notably steep steps. The improvement, completed last Monday (13 April), marks an important step in the theatre’s ongoing effort to make the space more accessible and welcoming for all visitors.
The project has been made possible by the generosity of the theatre’s supporters. Special thanks have been extended to Harriet Benton and Alan Weavis, whose wedding guests contributed towards the cost of the new handrails, as well as to the many audience members who donate when booking tickets or support the theatre through membership schemes.
For many regulars, the steep rake of the auditorium has long been part of the theatre’s character — but also a challenge. The new handrails will allow those who find steps difficult to access a wider range of seating, opening up more of the auditorium to people who previously felt limited in where they could sit. At the same time, the theatre took the opportunity to replace the carpet, giving the space a much-needed refresh.
The improvements arrive just as the Tabard prepares for a busy run of productions. Masterclass, directed by Tim Connery, continues through 15 April to 2 May, having received glowing reviews.
In May, the theatre welcomes a major new staging of H.M.S. Pinafore, running from 6 May to 6 June, bringing Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera to life for a new generation of audiences. Later in the month, Heather Alexander presents Havisham on Sunday 17 May, a solo performance inspired by Dickens’ iconic character. June will see the arrival of Murder Staged by Crime Viral on Sunday 28 June, offering true - crime enthusiasts a gripping afternoon event.
The theatre’s team says the upgrade is part of a wider commitment to improving the building for future generations. Recent front-of-house redecoration has already brightened the public areas, and plans are underway to upgrade lighting equipment and reduce the venue’s environmental impact.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supports the theatre,” the team said. “Your contributions, of all sizes, help us keep the theatre running with a full programme of high-quality shows, and they make improvements like these possible. There is still more work ahead, but every donation and every membership helps us continue to enhance and revitalise the space.”
Audience members are encouraged to consider adding a donation when booking tickets or joining one of the theatre’s membership schemes to support the next phase of improvements.
Masterclass is a Masterclass of Writing, Acting and Directing
Susan Stanley Carrol is impressed by Tim Connery's play at The Tabard
Horatio Nelson: Fever and Fire at The Tabard Theatre
A captivating one-man show written and performed by Adam Preston
Waiting for Hamlet is Purgatory But in a Good Way
Susan Stanley-Carroll says it provides a treat for audiences at the Tabard
Tabard Named as London Pub Theatre of the Year
Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We’ve always done that and won’t be changing, in fact we’d like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we’d be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you’d like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |