We went to see the Pitmen Papers today at the National, a wonderful play about the transformative power of art and creativity. A thought-provoking and inspiring work, imaginatively staged. But as I mentioned before, reasonable access at the theatre is ruined by appalling signage. Today I managed to find automatic doors at the entrance. Previously, I've struggled with the heavy and unwieldy portals and grumbled about the lack of automation in this lottery funded venue. But I was wrong: there are automatic doors. You just have to go in daylight and be very persistent in order to find them. There's a tiny arrow and hard to see words in white ("automatic door") on one of the main entrance doors, pointing round the corner. You go round the corner and see nothing that looks like an automatic door. However, on closer inspection, there's a post with again small writing... Find the button, press and hey presto, a door opens.
It's no better inside. Trying to get to the Mezzanine restaurant, I take the lift. This brings me out a staircase away from the restaurant. There is a stairlift down but no one to operate it and no bell to call for assistance. I shout to a waiter who tells me about a secret lift that will bring me to the correct level. Without his directions, I would never have found it ("it's behind the piano"). This also takes me to the Mezze restaurant, a cheaper alternative on the second floor. I can get to the first floor but the button to the second floor does not work. Nor does the alarm button. I get out at the first floor and again shout to a waiter. He explains that the lift will go to the second flooronly when the restaurant is open. My suggestion that the lift have a sign explaining this is met by a confused shrug. Signage lets down the entrance to the stalls as well. I queue by the stairs only to be directed to a side door with level access. Oh yes, there is a sign saying wheelchairs through here. But again, it's in tiny writing above the door.
The National had millions of pounds of lottery funding. I find the labyrinthine building a nightmare to navigate. Could they not have used just a little of their lottery cash to invest in some proper signs? If you've got it (access), flaunt it. Don't hide it. I'll be emailing them on Monday.
