Accessibility

General Info

Note: The information provided on this page refers to the 2024 edition of the festival. It will be updated for the next edition of the festival, which will be published in autumn 2024.

In order to make the Real Dance Festival (more) accessible to all visitors, we have developed various offers for different needs. Some of them may already be familiar to you, others may be new. For this reason, you will find explanations of all offers below. All offers are continuously reviewed and revised by us. We are aware that we are not yet able to offer services for all accessibility requirements. We therefore ask for your support:

For local needs, suggestions for improvement and information on barriers, please contact:

Ece Tufan – Contact for Questions on Accessibility
Mobile  +49 176 587 685 11 (Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp)
Landline +49 511 9999 2510
Mail access@realdance.de

Venues

All venues are accessible without steps, with the exception of the Cumberland Bar. Wheelchair spaces are available in all venues.

Schauspielhaus

Das Schauspielhaus ist von außen in großen weißen Rechtecken gekachelt. Der Eingang ist hell erleuchtet. Über dem Eingang ist das Logo des Schauspiels angebracht: zwei durchkreuzte Blitze und darunter in Versalien der Schriftzug Schauspiel Hannover. Vor dem Schauspielhaus befinden sich auf der rechten Seite Fahrräder auf dem Gehweg.
Schauspielhaus – Exterior View (© Kerstin Schomburg)
In der Mitte ist ein riesiger Kronleuchter zu sehen, der von der Decke des Foyers hängt. Er ist durch abstrakte Windungen gekennzeichnet ist. Der Kronleuchter ist gelb weiß gestreift.
Schauspielhaus – Audience Foyer (© Kerstin Schomburg)

Travelling by Car

There are parking spaces for disabled people in the immediate vicinity of the Schauspielhaus on Prinzenstraße (1), Sophienstraße (2) and Theaterstraße (1). There is accessible parking in the “Tiefgarage Opernplatz/Kröpcke” underground car park. More information on the car park is available to download under this link: Parking

Travelling by Public Transport

The nearest Stadtbahn [light rail] station is “Kröpcke”. It serves all the Stadtbahn lines except for lines 10 and 17 (distance to the Schauspiel approx. 500 m). The nearest bus stop to the Schauspielhaus is “Thielenplatz/Schauspielhaus” (distance to the Schauspiel approx. 200 m). Bus lines 100,121, 128, 134 and 200 stop there. More information on accessible services provided by ÜSTRA [Hanover’s public transport operator] is available under this link: Public transport.

Entrance Area / Box Office

The main entrance to the Schauspiel at Prinzenstraße 9 has step-free access. There is a single automatic door that opens outwards. The box office counter is located on the right-hand side. Because of its height (107 cm), it is not accessible for everyone. The entrance to the cloakroom area is on the left-hand side. If you are entering the Schauspiel across the courtyard, the box office counter is on the left and the cloakroom area on the right.

Cloakroom Area 

The staircase is in the centre of the cloakroom area. Behind the staircase there is a counter where you can obtain audio amplification devices. There are a limited number of devices available. Lockers are distributed around the entire cloakroom area; use of the lockers is unassisted. The lift (door width: 80 cm; interior space: 140 x 100 cm) is on the left-hand side at the front of the cloakroom area. The toilets are on the right-hand side. There are accessible WC cubicles in the toilet area. 

Accessible Toilets

On the right side of the cloak area, there are two toilet rooms. There is an accessible WC in each of the two rooms. Both toilets are accessible at ground level.

The width of the entrance door to the accessible toilet in the right toilet room is 80 cm. The toilet seat with two support handles on the left and right is located at 50cm height. The sink is 88cm high and 50 cm deep. The soap dispenser is at 90cm, the paper towel dispenser is at 110cm and the toilet paper holder is at 90cm height.

In the left WC room, the entrance to the accessible toilet takes place directly through the washroom. The entrance door to the accessible toilet is 80 cm wide. The toilet seat with two support handles on the left and right is located at a height of 50 cm. The sink is 90 cm high and 48 cm deep. The soap dispenser is at 90 cm, the paper towel dispenser is at 110 cm and the toilet paper holder is at 90 cm height.

Foyer / Bar

The foyer is on the first floor of the Schauspiel. In the foyer there are entrances to the auditorium and the first circle, as well as various seating and standing options. In the middle of the room there is a round, raised area (height: approx. 2 cm) with an adjoining bar (height: 116 cm).

Wheelchair Spaces and Stepless Seating 

On the intermediate level “Rollstuhlloge” [wheelchair loge] there is access to the loge on the right-hand side at the back of the stalls (row 17), where the wheelchair spaces are. In addition, all seats in row 17 are accessible without steps (stalls left: 1 - 10, stalls right: seats 18 - 24).

Auditorium

There is a guidance system for the blind in the auditorium that leads from the entrance to the auditorium to the first five rows.

Cumberlandsche Bühne

Exterior view of Cumberland. The high entrance area with stone arches is painted yellow and lined with stone and iron pillars. Eight steps lead to a level in front of the entrance door, which is also used as a smoking area. There are a few folding chairs in the entrance area.
Cumberland – Exterior View  (© Kerstin Schomburg)
The photo shows the staircase of the Cumberland Gallery. It is a very high, open space with cast-iron supports and banisters.
Cumberland Gallery, view to the bar (© Kerstin Schomburg)

Please note: The Cumberlandsche Bühne can be accessed either through the box office foyer of the Schauspiel or via the courtyard. The Cumberland Bar is not barrier-free. 

Travelling by Car

There are parking spaces for disabled people in the immediate vicinity of the Cumberland theatre on Prinzenstraße (1), Sophienstraße (2) and Theaterstraße (1). There is accessible parking in the “Tiefgarage Opernplatz/Kröpcke” underground car park. More information on the car park is available to download under this link: Parking

Travelling by Public Transport

The nearest Stadtbahn [light rail] station is “Kröpcke”. It serves all the Stadtbahn lines except for lines 10 and 17 (distance to the Schauspiel approx. 500 m). The nearest bus stop to the Schauspielhaus is “Thielenplatz/Schauspielhaus” (distance to the Schauspiel approx. 200 m). Bus lines 100,121, 128, 134 and 200 stop there. More information on accessible services provided by ÜSTRA [Hanover’s public transport operator] is available under this link: Public transport.

Entrance

The entrance to the theatre is across the courtyard and via a stairway, so it is not step-free access. In addition, on the left- and right-hand sides of the stairway that leads to the Cumberland foyer, there are rainwater gutters that may be confusing for people using canes.      

For anyone who has difficulties walking up steps, there is alternative access via the entrance to the stage in the foyer of the Schauspiel, where there is a lift (door width: 90 cm; interior space: 130 x 150 cm). To help with this, for the duration of the Real Dance Festival, a step-free meeting point will be set up before the performances in the box office foyer of the Schauspielhaus.  

Relaxed Seating  

On Cumberlandschen Bühne beanbags will be provided as alternative seating options. A relaxed area with beanbags will be set up in the first row for this. Beanbags can be booked in advance as “beanbag tickets” through the box office or online shop.   

Foyer

In the foyer there is a bar with bar tables and different seating options on the entrance level. The foyer and bar are similarly accessible via the entrance to the stage, however they do not have step-free access.

Toilets

The toilets are on the second floor. There are no accessible toilets and the toilets do not have step-free access. 
Those who wish to use the accessible toilet in the Schauspiel are advised to allow at least 15 minutes.

Cumberlandsche Bar

Exterior view of Cumberland. The high entrance area with stone arches is painted yellow and lined with stone and iron pillars. Eight steps lead to a level in front of the entrance door, which is also used as a smoking area. There are a few folding chairs in the entrance area.
Cumberland – Exterior View  (© Kerstin Schomburg)
The photo shows a party situation in the Cumberlandsche Bar. The photo was taken from the stairs down into the bar area and shows various people sitting on the steps or dancing in the bar area. The light is dimmed and a disco ball is spinning on the ceiling.
Cumberlandsche Bar (© Moritz Küstner)

Please note: The Cumberland Bar is not barrier-free!

Travelling by Car

There are parking spaces for disabled people in the immediate vicinity of the Cumberland Bar on Prinzenstraße (1), Sophienstraße (2) and Theaterstraße (1). There is accessible parking in the “Tiefgarage Opernplatz/Kröpcke” underground car park. More information on the car park is available to download under this link: Parking

Travelling by Public Transport

The nearest Stadtbahn [light rail] station is “Kröpcke”. It serves all the Stadtbahn lines except for lines 10 and 17 (distance to the Schauspiel approx. 500 m). The nearest bus stop to the Schauspielhaus is “Thielenplatz/Schauspielhaus” (distance to the Schauspiel approx. 200 m). Bus lines 100,121, 128, 134 and 200 stop there. More information on accessible services provided by ÜSTRA [Hanover’s public transport operator] is available under this link: Public transport.

Entrance

Access to the bar is via the courtyard via a staircase and is therefore not step-free. In addition, there are rain gutters on the left and right sides of the stairs leading to the Cumberlandsche Bar, which can be misleading for people who use a walking stick.

Bar

The bar has bar tables and various seating options at the entrance level. The bar is accessible via the main entrance, but it is not step-free.

Toilets 

The toilets are on the second floor. There are no accessible toilets and the toilets do not have step-free access. 
Those who wish to use the accessible toilet in the Schauspiel are advised to allow at least 15 minutes.

Ballhof Eins / Festival Centre

The Ballhof Eins building with a sign reading Ballhof Eins. The yellow lettering is brightly illuminated. The sign is located above the entrance, which is glazed. There is a lantern in front of the building, which is also illuminated.
Ballhof Eins, exterior view (© Kerstin Schomburg)

Travelling by Car

The address for Ballhof Eins is Ballhofplatz 5. There are several accessible parking spaces on Burgstraße on the same level as Ballhofplatz. The access to the foyer in Ballhof Eins is step-free via Ballhofplatz. The distance between the parking spaces and the foyer is approx. 70 m.

Travelling by Public Transport

The nearest Stadtbahn [light rail] station is “Markthalle/Landtag” (distance to Ballhof Eins approx. 450 m). It serves lines 3, 7 and 9. More information on accessible services provided by ÜSTRA [Hanover’s public transport operator] is available under this link: Public transport.

Entrance Area

Entrance to the Ballhof Eins foyer is via a double-wing door. In the foyer there are several bar tables, two box office counters and a bar area for purchasing drinks. There are further seating options here. The bar area is accessed via three steps from the foyer.  

Auditorium

In Ballhof Eins there is a rostrum. Entry is generally via a door leading directly to the rostrum. The first row has step-free access. There is a guidance system for the blind that leads from the entrance to the auditorium to the front row and the grandstand.

Relaxed Seating 

In Ballhof Eins and the Festival Centre beanbags will be provided as alternative seating options. A relaxed area with beanbags will be set up in the first row for this. Beanbags can be booked in advance as “beanbag tickets” through the box office or online shop.

Cloakrooms / Toilets

The cloakrooms and toilets are in the basement, which is only accessible via a staircase with many steps.

Accessible Toilet

The accessible toilet is on the right-hand side at the end of the corridor, where there are several entrances to the auditorium on the left-hand side. Users first of all enter an anteroom with a washbasin via a non-automatic door (width: 95 cm). The cubicle is connected to the anteroom by an arched doorway (no door, width: 95 cm). The toilet seat with folding handles on the left and right attached directly on the seat is located at a height of 50 cm, the sink is 80 cm high. The soap dispenser is at 90 cm, the paper towel dispenser is at 110 cm and the toilet paper holder is at 70 cm height.

Ballhof Zwei

The Ballhof Zwei building at night. The brightly lit yellow inscription “Ballhof Zwei” above the glass entrance door.
Ballhof Zwei, exterior view (© Kerstin Schomburg)

Travelling by Car

The address for Ballhof Zwei is Knochenhauerstraße 28. There are several accessible parking spaces on Burgstraße on the same level as Ballhofplatz. The access to the foyer in Ballhof Zwei is step-free via Ballhofplatz. The distance between the parking spaces and the foyer is approx. 150 m.

Travelling by Public Transport

The nearest Stadtbahn [light rail] station is “Markthalle/Landtag” (distance to Ballhof Zwei approx. 450 m). It serves lines 3, 7 and 9. More information on accessible services provided by ÜSTRA [Hanover’s public transport operator] is available under this link: Public transport.

Foyer / Ballhof Café

The Ballhof Zwei foyer is divided into two areas. One of the two areas is the Ballhof Café. Here, there is a bar as well as various seating and standing options. In the other area there is the box office counter (height: 75 cm), the toilets, and access to the stage. The Ballhof Café is accessed via a non-automatic, 80 cm-wide door. Both areas are separated from one another by a rostrum with steps. In the Ballhof Café there is a bar on a rostrum with no step-free access. The bar sells drinks and snacks.

Accessible Toilet

The accessible WC (door, width: 90 cm) is located to the right of the toilets in the foyer. A light strip runs along the steps, providing visual marking. Between the accessible toilets there are coat hooks placed at two different heights. The toilet seat with two support handles on the left and right is located at a height of 50 cm, the sink is 80 cm high. The soap dispenser is at 90 cm height, the paper towel dispenser is at 110 cm height.

Auditorium

There is a lift (width: 80 cm; interior space: 138 cm x 155 cm) that connects the Ballhof Zwei foyer with the auditorium. The lift takes you to a staircase that is connected to the auditorium by a door. This door (width: 110 cm) has a door handle, is not automatic, and does not lock in place.

Relaxed Seating

In Ballhof Zwei the first row will be set up as a relaxed area with a mix of beanbags and wheelchair spaces. These spaces can be booked in advance as “beanbag tickets” or “wheelchair tickets” through the box office or online shop.  

Kunstverein Hannover

Frontalansicht auf das Künstlerhaus Hannover. Es ist im Rundbogenstil gebaut und mit vielen Fenstern, Figuren und Reliefs verziert. Vor dem Gebäude hängt ein großer Kronleuchter über der Straße.
Künstlerhaus Hannover, the Kunstverein is located on the 1st floor. (© Andre Germar)

Entrance

The Kunstverein Hannover is located on the 1st floor of the Künstlerhaus. Access is possible for visitors with restricted mobility. The lift is located at the side entrance on the right-hand side of the building.

Accessible Toilet

The barrier-free toilet in the east staircase of the Künstlerhaus is open to FOR REAL visitors.

Audio Descriptions with Tactile Tour

Audio descriptions make theatre performances accessible for blind and visually impaired people. In the audio description during the performance, the events on stage are described. This gives blind and visually impaired people access to the visual elements of a play, including movement, gestures, facial expressions, stage design, costumes and props.

Before the performance, there is also a tactile tour. During a tactile tour, blind and visually impaired people can adequately perceive the stage space. The objects in the space are first described in detail and with precision. Then the participants can touch them one after the other.

The following performances take place with audio description and tactile tour in Spoken German:

WED 24 JAN
18.30
Hallucinations of an Artifact – Mandeep Raikhy
Cumberlandsche Bühne

THU 25 JAN
19.00
Hallucinations of an Artifact – Mandeep Raikhy
Cumberlandsche Bühne

SAT 27 JAN
20.00
TARAB – Ulduz Ahmedzadeh / عطشATASH عطشcontemporary dance company
Cumberlandsche Bühne

SUN 28 JAN
20.00
TARAB – Ulduz Ahmedzadeh / عطشATASH عطشcontemporary dance company
Cumberlandsche Bühne

The tactile tours begin one hour before the performances start and have a duration of max. 20 min. The meeting point for the tactile tours is at the Cumberlandsche Bar. Please note: The Cumberlandsche Bar is not accessible without steps. 

Please register in advance by phone or e-mail:

Mobil +49 176 587 685 11 (Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp)
Festnetz +49 511 9999 2510
Mail access@realdance.de

Guide dogs for the blind people are of course permitted. We kindly ask you to register when purchasing tickets so that we can provide you with suitable seats.

Relaxed Performance

At REAL DANCE, selected performances take place as Relaxed Performances. A Relaxed Performance is targeted at anyone who would like to experience performances in a more relaxed atmosphere, different from what is customary in the theatre. It aims to welcome visitors who are often excluded from performance spaces through established conventions. These include, for example, autistic people, people with Tourette's, with learning disabilities or chronic pain. 

The following aspects apply to performances that take place as Relaxed Performances:

  • the Relaxed Performance is announced before the performance begins
  • sounds and movements from the audience are explicitly welcome during the performance
  • the audience is allowed to leave the performance space and return to it at any time
  • we offer alternative seating in the form of beanbags in the front row
  • we inform in advance on our website about the potential demands that are placed on the audience during the performance. These include sensory stimuli and content notes

The following performances take place as Relaxed Performances:

WED 24 JAN
20.00
Apaches – Saïdo Lehlouh
Schauspielhaus

WED 24 JAN
18.30
Hallucinations of an Artifact - Mandeep Raikhy
Cumberlandsche Bühne

THU 25 JAN
19.00
Hallucinations of an Artifact – Mandeep Raikhy
Cumberlandsche Bühne

Sensory Triggers

For selected performances, we provide information on the demands that might be placed on the audience during the performance. In addition, we highlight various acoustic, visual, olfactory, gustatory and haptic triggers that may be sensory triggers for people. Transparent communication in this regard allows potential attendees to decide themselves whether a performance is accessible for them. 

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the following theatre rules apply during the performance: visitors have to be quiet during the performances and remain seated throughout.

As some productions are in the process of being developed, this page will be continuously updated and supplemented if necessary.

Hallucinations of an Artifact
At the beginning, the room is dark and individual spotlights illuminate the dancers. There are three projections on the wall in the background.

A moving color gradient runs across the projections. As the performance progresses, the images in the projections change. First slowly with longer intervals, followed by a section lasting several minutes in which the rapid image changes can create a stroboscope-like effect. Then the image changes are slower again. An animation, similar to a flip book, can create flickering. The dancers cast shadows on the wall.

The piece starts without music until a slightly atmospheric drumming begins. Over the course of several minutes, there are loud sections with high-pitched lyre noises, fast tinny drumming, high-pitched noise that lasts several minutes, mechanical ticking, clapping and knocking sounds, rattling, whistling and very high-pitched beeping and squeaking.

In some parts there is sudden screaming. Occasionally, the dancers suddenly fall to the floor. In the middle of the piece, there is a section with fast, twitching movements that are accompanied by regular screams from the dancer.

The dancers sometimes perform just a few centimetres away from the front row. Spontaneous touching (e.g. sitting on the lap) may occur in the front row. There is no physical contact in the back rows.

Apaches
The piece is acoustically very intense. Different noises, speech and music overlap over the course of the entire piece. The progression of the volume is wave-like and in between it is always very loud. Occasionally, the vibration of the bass can be felt. The piece starts with atmospheric noises and a booming sound with a lot of bass, which gets increasingly louder. In the course of the piece, background noises, loud crackling, beeping, creaking, hissing, knocking, echoing and splashing sounds are added. Sometimes there is speech or music underneath the atmospheric noises. The dancers' shoes squeak on the floor.

The room is dark at the beginning. Throughout the piece, there is a slow alternation between spotlights on individual dancers and a brightly lit stage. There is a section where the lights switch between individual spots a little more quickly for a few minutes, creating a slight flashing effect. At the end of the piece, it is completely dark for about a minute.

There is light fog on the stage throughout the play, which slowly increases.

Many things often happen on stage at the same time and the dancers walk and run around a lot. They occasionally clap and shout loudly. There are many fast and sometimes jerky movements. Towards the end of the piece, the dancers go into the auditorium.

Content Notes

For selected performances, we point out different harmful content that can be potentially triggering. A transparent communication about this allows potential visitors to decide for themselves whether a performance is suitable an accessible for them. 

As some productions are in the process of being developed, this page will be continuously updated and supplemented if necessary. 

We are aware that some content without content notes can make people feel unsafe, as this content can be offensive, disturbing, stressful or even retraumatizing.

However, as there is a very wide range of potential triggers and it is not always possible to consider and include all of them, we would like to offer our audience the opportunity to find out about specific triggers on our website in advance.

We encourage you to contact us and ask whether certain triggering content will be addressed, shown or performed in one of our performances. All you need to do is send us a short email, for example, which does not require any special wording and can consist of just one question. As far as we are able, we endeavor to follow up on all requests.

Hallucinations of an Artifact
Fights are occasionally translated into dance. In two sections, there are fast movements that can be reminiscent of seizures.

Apaches
In one section, many dancers are chasing one person. A threatening mood can occasionally arise. The spoken text contains a passage that talks positively about suicide.

Relaxed Seating

On the Cumberlandsche Bühne, at Ballhof Eins, Ballhof Zwei, Schauspielhaus and in the Festival Centre beanbags will be provided as alternative seating options. Beanbags can be booked in advance as “beanbag tickets” through the box office or online shop.

Accompanying Service via Kulturschlüssel Niedersachsen

We are taking part in the project "Kulturschlüssel Niedersachsen" (Lower Saxony Cultural Key") as a cultural donor. The Kulturschlüssel arranges for people who can not, or do not want to participate in cultural events on their own due to a disability, volunteers who accompany them before, during and after the desired event.

We provide a contingent of tickets for this purpose. One discounted ticket and one free ticket for the accompanying person will be issued per event.

To register for the Kulturschlüssel project, please click on the following link: Kulturschlüssel Niedersachsen