Your Visit & Access

Your Visit & Access

The Avenue Theatre

The Avenue Theatre, Gippeswyk Avenue, Ipswich, IP2 9AF

Our theatre, The Avenue, stands within the grounds of our current HQ at Gippeswyk Hall, a Grade II* listing building, made possible with a £1m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The building has been designed to reflect some of the traditional barn structures that would have once stood on the grounds and we’re keen to share this fantastic heritage site with everyone.

Designed with flexibility in mind, the theatre space can change to fit whatever show or event is happening…from sitting on our plush bench seating to enjoy our theatre productions to dining around tables for our Jazz & Pizza Nights to dancing the night away – no two visits are the same!

Audience feedback

"A small and intimate beautiful location. Being sat within the space and the way the actors worked the space and the script included the audience making you feel part of the production. The staff volunteers were amazing and it is a great building very beautiful. Will definitely be going back! Try it if you haven't you won't regret it."

Audience Member

"A small theatre full of love and warmth, and the best shows ever."

Audience Member

"This is a fantastic little gem of a theatre and even more so, a fantastic little gem of a company."

Audience Member

“Our first visit to the Avenue Theatre was an experience which all three of us enjoyed immensely. The warm welcome by the volunteers and front of house staff matched the bright and welcoming aura of your splendid new venue. The auditorium, intimate and involving beyond the dreams of larger houses, was the place of theatre magic.”

Audience Member

“The production at The Avenue was an entirely unique, liberating audience experience….I left this show feeling a bit more human for the experience of it. If that’s not art, I don’t know what is?”

Audience Member

"What a wonderful theatre and what a fantastic show. Paul Foot was wacky and hilarious and the red rose chain’s avenue theatre is a great setting. The theatre is small and intimate and was perfect for comedy. The building is new and tastefully done. Will definitely be keeping an eye on their programme from now on."

Audience Member

"I have visited this theatre on a number of occasions and have never been disappointed. It is small, intimate and quirky. Ipswich is so lucky to have such a fantastic independent theatre company and I would highly recommend people to support it."

Audience Member

Getting to The Avenue

Access

We hope The Avenue Theatre is as welcoming to you as possible. If you have any questions about any of our services, would like to join our mailing list or need help arranging your visit please contact Box Office on 01473 603388 or email info@redrosechain.com – we are here to help.

booking tickets

In order to experience our best service if you have any access requirements, please contact the Box Office on 01473 603388 to discuss your needs. Booking online may mean your requirements will not be fulfilled to the best of our ability. If you have any questions regarding accessibility in the theatre spaces you can also email info@redrosechain.com

getting around The Avenue

The Avenue is fully accessible and is all on one level. We have an accessible loo in our foyer, a low level Box Office and Café Bar as well as designated Disabled Parking Spaces. These can be reserved for you when you book your tickets.

Guide dogs are very welcome throughout the building.

Hearing Loop System

We have a ‘loop’ system in the auditorium that enables your hearing aid to pick up a personally created loop by switching your hearing aid to ‘T’.

Dementia Friendly

We want to ensure The Avenue is a dementia-friendly venue. Our team have trained to become Dementia Friends and we are taking steps to improve the venue further. If you would like more information please give our box office a call on 01473 603388.

Parking

We have limited free car parking at The Avenue Theatre.

Disabled spaces can be booked in advance.

There is additional on street parking nearby as well as public car parks on Ranelagh Road and at Ipswich Train Station, an easy 5 minute walk away.

Buses

Gippeswyk Avenue is served by the 12, 13 & 14 bus routes.

Cafe Bar Area

Our cafe bar is typically open 60 minutes before a performance or event begins, and serves a range of hot and cold drinks, a selection of snacks, and for some shows/events we also serve fresh rustic pizza – please check individual event pages for more info.

Entertainment

We delight our audience with our shows and events – The Avenue is a perfect intimate space to experience theatre, comedy and music – so far we’ve had the likes of Henning Wehn, Mark Thomas, Paul Foot, Kenneth Sillito, Neil Innes, Charlie Dore and Alvin Youngblood Hart with many more exciting events to come this year.

And such an honour for all of us to be associated with the ultimate history girl, the very great @AlisonWeirBooks T… https://t.co/IQirXHv2bm