Grand Opera House York Events & What's On

The Grand Opera House York is managed by ATG (Ambassador Theatre Group). You can book tickets for shows online through ATG booking links or visit the box office at the theatre. The theatre hosts shows with tour dates, and includes West End musicals.

Popular shows at the theatre including productions of plays: Gangsta Granny, The Rocky Horror Show, We Will Rock You, Horrible Histories - Barmy Britain, Strictly Ballroom, Dick Turpin Rides Again, The Osmonds - A New Musical, The Commitments, live bands.

Grand Opera House Clifford Street, York YO1 9SW

Getting To the Grand Opera House
By car
Q Park are pleased to partner with ATG customers to offer a 15% discount on pre-booked parking for your visit.

By train
Nearest train station is York (within 15 minutes' walk of the theatre).

By bus
Many bus routes have stops on Clifford Street including the York Park & Ride system.

Access performances
Signed and Audio described performances are provided for many of the week long shows and may be booked in advance by calling our Access line or by visiting our box office. Our Headsets for Audio described performances can be requested from a member of the Front of House team on arrival at the theatre. A Touch Tour usually takes place 1 hour before the audio described performance begins and must be booked at least 7 days in advance.

Relaxed performances are also held for some week long shows. In a Relaxed performance elements of the production are adapted to reduce anxiety or stress. This performance welcomes those who would like to see the show in a less formal atmosphere, including (but not limited to) those who have an autism spectrum condition, people with a learning disability and parents with very young children.

Venue Access Information
There are 11 wheelchair spaces available in Stalls at the end of rows G, H, M, N and R. These will need to be requested at the time of booking. Access to stalls is available via the street level access entrance on King Street. Please note that our King Street entrance is on a hill which heads down towards the river and is quite steep, if you require any assistance getting down this street please speak to a member of the box office. When you arrive at the street-level access entrance, please ring the bell to the right hand side of the door and a member of staff will meet you there.

Please Note: Due to this venue being a listed building, the Grand Opera House does not have a lift. Access to the Foyer Bar, Dress Circle and Grand Circle is via stairs only.

The Grand Opera House offers a Sennheiser infra-red Hearing system.

A Sennheiser Infra-Red Hearing System is available for people with hearing impairments. Please collect a headset from Front of House staff on arrival. The system may not be compatible with all types of hearing aids. We do ask that the Loop necklaces and headsets are to be returned after the show to a member of our Front of House staff.

Induction Loop Necklace
Suitable for persons wearing a hearing aid, the induction loop necklace is worn around the neck. Whilst wearing the necklace, switch your hearing aid to the 'T' setting and the sound is amplified. The necklace has an adjustable volume control.

Headset
This device amplifies sound through ear-pieces similar to regular headphones. Suitable for persons without a hearing aid. To access the infrared system please request a headset from a member of staff on the day of the show.

Guide, hearing and other working dogs are welcome in all parts of the theatre. If you wish to bring your guide or hearing dog to the theatre, please advise the Box Office when booking your tickets. Your dog is welcome to sit with you in the auditorium however please note that some shows include special effects, e.g. strobe lighting, smoke, pyrotechnics and loud bangs. Alternatively we can organise for a member of staff to care for your dog during the performance and provide them with some drinking water.

There are accessible toilet facilities at the back of the Stalls auditorium. This is a separate, accessible, private and unisex facility located next to the street-level access entrance door.

Brief History
Originally a corn exchange, the building was reconstructed as a theatre in 1902 and opened as The Grand Opera House with Little Red Riding Hood starring Florrie Ford. In 1987 the theatre was purchased by India Pru Co. Ltd who spent £4,000,000 restoring it to its former glory. The decor is very similar to how it was in the beginning; the carpet is a rewoven copy of the original with the GOH logo incorporated into it and the light fittings sympathetic to the period style. It was made structurally sound, a new stage was built and a new foyer excavated beneath. The entrance on Clifford Street was made into a Box Office and Cumberland Street became the main entrance. Clifford Street has since been restored as an entrance to the auditorium as well as the Box Office.