Festival Theatre
The Festival Theatre, in the Adelaide Festival Centre, is one of the ASO’s primary performance venues. It also hosts State Opera of SA and Australian Ballet mainstage performances, cultural organisations with whom the ASO collaborates regularly.
Directions
New Festival Theatre entrances are now open
The main entrance for the Festival Theatre is located on King William Road, next to the vehicle drop off. You can also enter the theatre on the Dress Circle level on the Festival Plaza. Here’s a map for planning your arrival.
Seating
Festival Theatre is divided into three seating areas. Stalls, Dress Circle and Grand Circle.
Check individual concerts for seating reserves and pricing.
Parking
Festival Plaza Car Park
The new Festival Plaza car park is open on Festival Drive. Accessible via King William Road (northbound lanes only), turn left into Festival Drive and follow the signs.
Inside the car park, the King William Road lifts will take you to the street level near the Festival Theatre. From there it’s a short walk to the Festival Theatre entrance. There is no lift or access from this car park to the Dunstan Playhouse complex.
This car park is not owned or operated by Adelaide Festival Centre or the ASO and there may be congestion after Festival Theatre performances. Visit the Festival Plaza Car Park website for more information.
Transport
For public transport options we recommend using Adelaide Metro’s Journey Planner
Dining
PLEASE NOTE: Adelaide Festival Centre is now a cashless venue.
There are a number of wonderful bars and restaurants in the area surrounding Festival Theatre. Please see individual websites for opening hours and food/beverage options
- Jolleys Boathouse
1 Jolleys Ln, Adelaide - Malt Shovel Taphouse
Festival Centre, Festival Dr
Accessibility
Getting to the venue
Is there accessible car parking available?
There are two car parks adjacent to Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Convention Centre Rivebank Car Park and Festival Car Park.
Is there a designated drop off area?
If you require an accessible drop off area, use the drive through zone just off King William Road, approximately 100 metres north of the car park entrance. This is accessible when traveling north on King William Road. When King William Road is closed for major events, the nearest accessible drop off area is on the west side of Adelaide Festival Centre, alongside Festival Drive under the Riverbank Footbridge.
Is the venue accessible by public transport?
Public transport is a great way to visit Adelaide Festival Centre, the Adelaide Railway Station is right next door, and the tram stops in front of the train station on North Terrace and in front of Festival Theatre on King William Rd. For public transport options we recommend using Adelaide Metro’s Journey Planner
What is the terrain to the venue entrance like, are there any obstacles?
The main entrance to Festival Theatre is located next to King William Road, near the corner of Elder Park. You can also enter Festival Theatre on the dress circle level, adjacent to Festival Plaza. You can walk from North Terrace via the laneway alongside SkyCity Casino or by crossing the footbridge from Adelaide Oval. All entrances are flat paved or concrete level terrain.
Is there signage or way-finding to look out for?
There is way-finding signage at located in the Adelaide Festival Centre precinct.
Getting inside the venue
Are there steps or stairs at the entrance?
No.
Is there an accessible ramp to get inside?
Yes.
Is there an accessible life to get inside?
Yes.
Are there any obstacles in the entry of the foyer?
No.
What is the terrain like getting inside?
Outside: flat concrete and paved terrain. Inside: carpet.
Getting information and/or assistance inside the venue
Where is the Box Office located?
The Box Office is located at the King William Road entrance to the Festival Theatre foyer.
Is there an information assistant available?
Information assistance is provided from the Concierge desk which is parallel to the Box Office. Closest entrance point is the King William Road entrance.
Where is First Aid located?
First Aid assistance can be received from the Concierge desk. Requests for First Aid assistance can be made to any staff member who will contact the closest First Aid Officer on site.
Is there a communication board available?
No.
Is the venue a Companion Card affiliate?
Yes.
Getting to your seat
Are the doors throughout the venue and into the theatre open and wheelchair accessible?
Door 1a is wheelchair accessible for patrons who wish to remain seated in their wheelchair. Doors 1 and 5 are wheelchair accessible for patrons who wish to transfer into a venue seat.
Is there fixed seating?
In the Festival Theatre all seats are fixed with the exception of Row W and the boxes.
Is there accessible seating?
In the Stalls, Row W has removable seats to accommodate patrons who wish to remain seated in their wheelchair or transfer to a theatre seat.
Is wheelchair hire available?
Please contact 131 246 or advise the operator when you are booking tickets if you require a loan wheelchair during your visit. Wheelchairs can be collected at the venue concierge desk pre-show and must be returned within 20 minutes of the show finishing.
Patrons will be required to leave a driver’s license, credit card, or government issued photo ID as a deposit until the wheelchair is returned. Wheelchairs must not be taken off site. Please coordinate patron pick-up and drop-off locations accordingly. Unfortunately we cannot provide staff to assist with patron wheelchair use unless there is an emergency.
Are there easy access seats?
Stalls: Row T and W
Dress Circle: Row C
Grand Circle: Row A
Where are wheelchairs positioned for seating?
In the Stalls, row W has removable seats to accommodate patrons who wish to remain seated in their wheelchair or transfer to a theatre seat.
Getting to the bathroom
Does the venue have accessible toilets?
Right hand transfer unisex accessible toilet – first floor.
Getting to a quiet space
Is there a quiet room available?
Not in the foyers.
There is a Viewing Rooming available on request at the time of the performance.
This is a quiet, sound proof room to view the performance. Located on the Dress Circle, please contact the nearest Front of House attendant for access.
Hearing
Is there an Auslan interpreter available?
No.
Does the venue offer Assistive Listening Systems?
Festival Theatre provide hearing assistance packs on request at the Concierge Counter.
Hearing Assistance packs are specific to the venue and will not work in other Adelaide Festival Centre venues.
There is the option to connect to the users “T setting” on their hearing aid or the use of headphones.
Patrons will be required to leave a driver’s license, credit card, or government issued photo ID as a deposit until the Hearing Assistance Pack is returned.
Vision
What is the lighting in the venue like?
Foyer: bright. Theatre: dependent on performance requirement.
Does the venue use strobe lights?
Dependent on performance requirement.
Is braille available, and if so, where and what for?
No.
Is large print signage or print media offered?
Dependent on performance requirement.
Do performances offer captioning (e.g closed or open captioning)?
No.
What are the viewing distances within seating sections?
The back row of the Stalls, Dress Circle and Grand Circle are all 30m from the stage.
Stalls Front Row to Stage: 0-5m (dependent on Orchestra Pit).
Dress Circle Front Row to Stage: 18m approx.
Grand Circle Front Row to Stage: 23m approx.
Accessing Water and Food
Is drinking water available and where? Is it free of cost?
There are free water fountains available in the Stalls and Dress Circle foyer.
Is there food available for purchase?
The Star: Kitchen & Bar and Quartet Bar are both located in Festival Theatre foyer.
Pre-Show Dining
Elevate your theatre experience by dining at The Star: Kitchen & Bar before an evening performance. Bookings are essential.
Assistance Animals
Does the venue have an area assistance animals can go for toileting?
Elder Park.
Does the venue have water available for assistance animals?
On request.
Did you know?
The “Silver Jubilee Organ” organ in the Festival Theatre was made by Rieger-Orgelbau of Austria. They were commissioned in 1978 to build a striking concert hall organ to mark the 25th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Because the stage is used for opera, ballet and drama, the organ needed to be able to be removed and so a hovercraft system was designed so that the organ could be “floated” back into the world’s largest cupboard.
The pipes are all open toe voiced on relatively high wind pressures with minimal nicking. The Hauptwerk Principal 8′ has double pipes for most of its compass.
The organ was inaugurated by Dr Peter Hurford on 2nd April, 1979.