Absent Friends, Harold Pinter Theatre

Alan Ayckbourn’s exquisite comedy Absent Friends is being heralded by the critics as 'the best fun you can have in the West End today' (The Sunday Telegraph). With an outstanding cast of award-winning comedy talents including David Armand (The Armstrong and Miller Show, Torn YouTube sensation), Elizabeth Berrington (In Bruges, Waterloo Road, Lapland, The Office), Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd, Season’s Greetings, Bleak Old Shop of Stuff), Steffan Rhodri (Gavin and Stacey), Reece Shearsmith (The League of Gentlemen, Betty Blue Eyes, Psychoville) and Kara Tointon (Pygmalion, EastEnders, Strictly Come Dancing Winner 2010), critically-acclaimed director Jeremy Herrin’s production has audiences laughing out loud as this well-intentioned tea party turns into utter chaos.... Read more >>

Running time: 2h 15m

Absent Friends Access

Booking Information

Access Booking line: 0844 871 7677

Autistic Spectrum and those with Sensory and Communication difficulties

The Ambassador Theatre group know that communication is key.

We want all our patrons to have a good experience while in our theatres, so we now have a visual tool for parents and companions to use with children and adults on the autistic spectrum and/or with Sensory and Communication difficulties.

We have been researching the benefits of using visual stories and would like to offer a visual story for your visit to The Harold Pinter Theatre. We know some of our patrons find social situations difficult and understand that we are all unique.

The Harold Pinter Theatre Visual Story

Click here to download the Harold Pinter Theatre Visual Story

Access Performances

Audio Description
None scheduled
Sign Language Interpreted
None scheduled
Captioned
None scheduled
SUR Titles
None scheduled

Venue Access Information

Our Box Office and foyer are situated at street level. The Stalls seating is accessible down a flight of 23 steps. Our Dress Circle seating has the easier access, being on foyer level and can provide up to 4 wheelchair spaces per performance. Seats in front of these spaces can be moved forward to accommodate longer chairs and small scooters - please provide measurements of chairs and scooters at time of booking to enable Box Office Staff to advise you correctly.
We have a dual channel infra-red sound enhancement system in the auditorium. Using a headset (without a hearing aid) or one that is worn around the neck (with a hearing aid) you can boost the volume of the performance. There is a £10 returnable deposit for using the headsets which you can collect from the cloakroom.
Guide, hearing and other working dogs are welcome in all parts of the theatre.
Ladies and Gents toilets are located down 23 steps from the foyer to Stalls level, up 23 steps from foyer to Royal Circle and up 49 steps from foyer to Balcony level. Our Royal Retiring Room toilet is located 6 steps down from foyer level for patrons who are able to manage some steps. There is one handrail. Alternatively, for patrons with limited mobility, Strada restaurant opposite the front of the theatre on Panton Street offers the use of their accessible toilet. A member of theatre staff would be available to accompany patrons to and from the restaurant.