Theatres begin advising on biggest seats in the house

THEATRES have begun warning ticketholders about the width of their seats in new “fat accessibility” guidance following complaints from larger audience members.

Wider spectators have reportedly complained about the narrowness of seating, and self-described “fat” comedian Sofie Hagen has spoken out about the lack of information on seat sizes in UK auditoriums.

Theatres are now advertising places that do not have constricting armrests.

The Gulbenkian Theatre in Canterbury provides an online guide on “seat sizes and fat accessibility”, advising that “our seats narrow from the centre out”, and that “the widest seats are 44cm wide”. The guidance adds that it is possible for customers to book “an armless chair”.

Similar information under the same heading of “fat accessibility” is included on the website of the Chorley Theatre in Lancashire, which also offers advice on leg room and which seats do not have arms or sides. The Old Fire Station in Oxford carries the same information under a different heading, offering advice on seat sizes, as does the Tiverton Community Arts Theatre.

Hagen has said she would refuse to perform in venues that did not inform audience members of seat sizes, which has led to a change in policy.

She had previously complained online about the “frustration of trying to find out if a theatre is accessible for fat people”, adding: “Websites mention wheelchair access, people who are hard of hearing, people with autism, and seat review sites mention leg room and view.

“Just put your seat width on your website. And when you call the theatre to ask, they’re often completely flabbergasted. Once I was just told ‘no’, there was nothing that could be done to accommodate my body.”

Many of the UK’S theatres are Victorian constructions that are more cramped than modern designs.

This has led to modern complaints of cramped legroom and views being impeded by particularly tall audience members.