Disabled being cheated

The theatre says false claims and made-up disabilities are becoming commonplace for sell-out shows, with people lying to acquire tickets.

Staff say they have been sickened in recent months to see people who have acquired free tickets for carers standing up throughout shows.

There have been cases where people's "disabilities" have turned out to be as mild as dyslexia.

But it has emerged that genuinely disabled people are to suffer as a result of the increased abuse of the system.

The policy of allowing carers to attend performances free of charge has been stopped.

And it is now feared many elderly and disabled people in wheelchairs or with special needs will have their visits to the theatre in George Street severely curtailed.

The New Theatre said a review of its disability policy was under way to see if abuses of the system could be stopped.

But the theatre said its difficulties were compounded because it had no wish to cause offence by pressing for details about the extent of disabilities, or seeking evidence of reliance on carers.

New Theatre spokesman Joel Barnett said: "It is a very difficult balance.

"To assist disabled patrons, a policy was implemented for their carers to attend performances free of charge.

"It came to our attention, however, that despite our best intentions to supply these complimentary seats, a minority of bookers abused our policy by claiming disabled area tickets for their own use, without having a disability or indeed carer.

"As with all theatres, the New Theatre only has a limited number of wheelchair-accessible spaces per performance. We want to ensure these spaces are allocated to those patrons for whom they are intended."

He added: "We have temporarily removed our policy of complimentary carer tickets until we have found a way to stop people abusing our trust."

Mr Barnett said highly dubious claims for carers' complimentary tickets were made for such sell-out shows as Little Britain, Chicago and Ricky Gervais. He said: "It is very sad that people want tickets that much."

Over the course of a year with about 300 shows, it is estimated that almost 1,500 concessionary tickets were given to carers.

Fiona Francis, who regularly takes her 83-year-old mother Doreen Cairns to the New Theatre, said she was saddened that the concession for carers had been dropped.

She said she regularly took her mother in a wheelchair to the theatre and the policy had made the visits affordable.

She said: "This is a subject close to my heart as my mother is disabled and in residential care.

"My mother really enjoys going to the theatre.

"There are many others who would not be able to go without the necessary carers.

"I was deeply disappointed to learn that the concession for carers has been discontinued.

"Special needs people need a great deal of help in many areas, not least of which is practical assistance to enjoy quality of life.

"This will affect those already disadvantaged and possibly preclude future visits. I would say that the staff at the New Theatre have always been helpful and courteous. I suspect this policy was not made at local level.

"I am sorry that the system has been open to abuse.

"Maybe a way can be found to stop further abuse.

"But the concession should be brought back."

A large area at the back of New Theatre, where 26 seats have been removed, is dedicated to disabled people.

There are four wheelchair spaces, five carers' seats and open areas to enable wheelchairs to be easily manoeuvred.

But many other disabled people transfer from their wheelchairs into regular theatre seats.