| In person | By telephone | By post | On line | Ticket insurance | Gift Vouchers | Group bookers | How to book online | Premiere Club | Standard conditions of sale | Agents | General information | The Family Friendly Theatre | Suitability | Parking ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 
The Orchard is a 920-seat theatre serving people in and around Dartford, Kent. Opened in 1982, it has been visited by all the major national touring productions over the years, including many top-flight musicals such as The Rocky Horror Show, Return to the Forbidden Planet, Chess, Blood Brothers, Grease, 42nd Street and West Side Story. The Orchard has played host to many of the biggest names in entertainment. It provides a wide range of drama, dance, music and entertainment for the whole community. Local am-dram and music societies, youth groups and dancing schools make use of the theatre, and its facilities are available for general hire. - ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
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- IN PERSON
- Bookings can be made in person at the Orchard Theatre - Box Office which is open Monday to Saturday from 10am - 6pm or until 15 minutes after the start of the evening performance.
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- Tickets can also be purchased through our local ticket agents.
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- Please note that once purchased tickets are non-returnable and non-refundable.
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- BY TELEPHONE
- Telephone bookings can be made on 01322 220000 Monday to Saturday 10am - 6pm using Solo, Visa Electron, Switch Maestro, Delta, Visa or Mastercard. Tickets are normally sent first class post to the card holders address (75p per booking handling charge applies). Tickets collected from the Box Office will require proof of purchase such as the original purchasing credit/debit card.
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- Reservations will be held for up to three days or, for late bookings, 24 hours prior to the performance.
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- BY POST
- Cheques should be sent to The Orchard, Home Gardens, Dartford, Kent DA1 1ED made payable to “The Orchard” with your telephone number and booking ref number printed on the reverse. Please include a stamp for the return of your tickets.
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- BOOKING ON LINE
- Up to ten tickets per performance can be purchased via the Orchard Theatre’s secure 24 hour On-Line service at www.orchardtheatre.co.uk using Solo, Visa Electron, Switch /Maestro, Delta, Visa or Mastercard. Follow the links to the show or event and click the “Book Now” button. If you are new to Orchard Theatre Online booking, you will need to provide us with your personal details so that we can process your booking - it only takes a couple of minutes and you only have to do it once! Tickets are normally despatched on the next available working day by first class post, which is currently free of charge to Internet bookers. Alternatively tickets can be collected from the Box Office with the original purchasing credit/debit card as proof of purchase. Please note that not all performances or ticket prices are available via the On-Line service. Group Bookers requiring more than ten seats, Disabled Assistance and Premiere Members should contact the Box Office on 01322 220000 or via Email at Orchard.boxoffice@dartford.gov.uk
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- To find out more click here
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- TICKET INSURANCE
- We are able to offer ticket cancellation insurance at the cost of £1.50 per ticket with Allianz Cornhill Insurance; this covers patrons who cannot make a performance due to unexpected illness an accident or failure of transport. Ticket Insurance is currently not available via our On-Line service, please call the Box Office on 01322 220000 to make your Insured booking.
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- To see the policy details click here
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- GIFT VOUCHERS
- Orchard Theatre Gift Vouchers can be purchased at values from £1 upwards, there are no separate charges and a gift card and envelope is included. They make an ideal present for those who enjoy live theatre and can be redeemed against any performance at the Orchard Theatre, booked through the Box office or Swanley Tourist Information Centre.
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- RETURNS: We have a no returns policy, so once purchased all tickets are NON-RETURNABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE. Click for full terms and conditions of sale.
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- GROUP BOOKERS
- If you regularly organise outings or visits to the theatre for ten or more, why not register as an Orchard Theatre group booker and receive regular information on priority booking, special group and late offers, group previews and events, plus tailor made hospitality packages. Join our free mailing list If you wish to receive our free seasonal brochure and other information by calling the Box Office on 01322 220000.
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- PREMIERE CLUB
- Why not join our Premiere Club and make savings on regular visits to the Theatre. For only £16 per year, or £12 for over 60s and students, gets you all this and more:
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- * Invitations to special Premiere Club members’ events like reception parties, pre-show talks and meet the cast sessions.
- * Free newsletter
- * Discount (up to 2 tickets*) for selected shows
- * 2-for-1 tickets on selected shows
- * Discounts at other local businesses such as restaurants and photographers.
- * Priority booking on the best seats
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- Or, * for just £32, you could become a Premiere Gold member and be entitled to an unlimited number of discounted tickets for selected shows, making this a great money-saver if you want to bring friends or family with you. Businesses can use Gold membership for cost effective Corporate Hospitality.
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- You can see the concessions offered to club members on shows throughout The Orchard’s seasonal brochure, so don’t delay, join up today! Click to see more.
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- STANDARD CONDITIONS OF SALE
- Tickets once purchased are non-returnable and non-refundable, ticket cancellation insurance is offered with tickets at the point of sale. If you would like to insure your tickets please contact the Box Office on 01322 220000. To see the policy details click here.
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- The Orchard Theatre reserves the right:
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- To refuse admission.
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- To require verification of concession status prior to admission.
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- To introduce reductions/discounts from the standard published ticket prices, any reduction is subject to availability and is not valid on tickets already purchased. Only one reduction or discount applies at any one time. concessions are subject to availability and may be withdrawn without prior notification.
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- To make changes to performances and artistes without prior notice, in unavoidable circumstances.
- Where seats are secured against a deposit, the total amount of the deposit paid is non-refundable where the total reservation is either cancelled by the customer or where the outstanding balance is not received by the due date. If seat numbers are reduced, the full deposit paid will be deducted from the outstanding balance.
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- All persons entering the auditorium, must have a valid ticket and an allocated seat* (see babies in arms
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- Data Protection
- In order to process an advance booking and to take a payment we need to record your personal contact information and payment details. We will ask you if you would like to receive future information about The Orchard Theatre services, if you change your mind or your details change please contact the Box Office and your record will be amended. We value the information you give us which we will use to provide a better service for you, we will not pass this information on to any other organisation.
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- STANDARD CONCESSIONS
- Only one concession applies per seat.
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- Concessions are subject to availability on selected performances and may include:-
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- Over 60s - the ticket holder must be over the age of sixty years on the date of the performance.
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- Child/Under 17 - the ticket holder must be under 17 years of age on the date of the performance.
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- Students - the ticket holder must be on a recognised United Kingdom based full time education course on the date of the performance
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- School/youth child groups - applies to bonafide School or Youth organisations who have registered with the theatre and are booking for groups of ten or more children. For each group of 10 child tickets purchased an adult supervisor ticket is issued free of charge.
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- Click here for a Pdf of the School Youth Group Form
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- Babies in Arms - At certain performances, normally midweek matinees of children’s shows, a limited quantity of Babies in Arms tickets are available at £1 each. They are for infants who are less than 18 months of age on the day of the performance and do not require a separate seat. All persons entering the auditorium, must have a valid ticket.
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- Premiere - concessions advertised are for Premiere Club members and are reductions from the Standard price. Click for more details
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- Student Standby - Students who are on a recognised United Kingdom based full time education course may call at the Box Office in person to obtain standby tickets costing £8 for all performances and subject to availability. These are on offer within two hours of curtain-up. Those over seventeen years of age must produce a valid student ID or confirmation of eligibility from a further education College.
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- Standby - Persons in possession of a Standby voucher can exchange it for a £10 ticket for selected performances as advertised or as detailed on the voucher, at the Box Office in person or by telephone from 2pm on the day of the performance only. Conditions apply.
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- AGENTS
- The Orchard has 8 ticket Agents where customers can book and pay for tickets; the tickets can then be collected from the Box Office on production of the Agents docket:
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- SWANLEY
- Swanley Tourist Information Centre
- London Road
- Swanley
- Kent BR8 7AE
- 01322 614660
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- NORTHUMBERLAND HEATH
- Clarkes Travel Ltd
- 242 Bexley Road
- Northumberland Heath
- Kent DA8 3HB
- 01322 338422
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- CRAYFORD
- Clarkes Travel Ltd
- 18 High Street
- Crayford Kent
- DA1 4HG
- 01322 551140
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- BLACKHEATH
- Wellers Travel Service
- 8 Stratheden Parade
- Blackheath
- London SE3 7SX
- 0208 858 1016/2911/4055
- www.wellerstravel.com
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- NEW ASH GREEN
- Bell Travel World Choice
- 3 The Row
- New Ash Green
- Kent DA3 8JB
- 01474 874135
- www.belltravelservices.co.uk
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- BLACKFEN
- Oakhurst Travel
- 12 Blackfen Parade
- Blackfen
- Kent DA15 9LU
- 0208 3010281
- www.oakhursttravel.co.uk
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- GENERAL INFORMATION
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- ACCESS
- The Orchard Theatre is firmly committed to enabling all our patrons to participate in our events equally and with dignity and respect. Click to see our policy
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- At each performance, we aim to provide at least two attendants who have been specifically trained in disability awareness and who will be available to assist disabled patrons in accessing our services. For those who require additional assistance to access the services, the Theatre has a Disabled Assistance Scheme.
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- Disabled Parking
- The theatre has six on-site parking bays for the priority use of patrons who have booked as a member of the Disabled Assistance Scheme. A free car park entry token and permit is sent out to such patrons who request the facility at the time of booking, with the tickets for the performance. If any of these spaces are still available on the day of the performance, they will be offered to disabled badge-holders on a first come, first served basis (whether by telephone or in person).
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- In addition to the on-site bays, there are five public disabled parking spaces in Suffolk Road to the right of the clock-tower and further spaces are available in the town centre and on the lower level of the Orchards Shopping Centre Car Park.
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- Please note that due to health and safety reasons, our staff are unable to assist disabled patrons in and out of their transport or mobility equipment.
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- Inside the Theatre
- Those with mobility difficulties have access to the stalls, lower bar/café and disabled toilets via a ramp to the right of the main entrance. Our staff at the lower café/bar will gladly assist those patrons who have difficulty directly accessing our Box Office. All of our stairs have handrails except those in the auditorium. Most of the seating within the auditorium is of the traditional raked amphitheatre style with steps to each row, in particular the upper circle seating and steps are high and steep without handrails, customers with mobility difficulties may wish to avoid this area.
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- Wheelchair users are accommodated in six licensed spaces, three each side of the front stalls adjacent to ramped emergency exits, additional seating is provided next to these spaces for a companion.
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- As the use of motorised mobility scooters in the busy public areas of the theatre may pose a hazard, disabled customers who are unable to access the Theatre by other means must inform the Box Office at the time of booking or (where tickets have not been pre-booked) immediately upon arrival. Our staff will then be able to provide those customers with information regarding the safe use of their scooter in the theatre. Customers who do not need to enter the Theatre on their mobility scooter are able to park them outside.
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- The Orchard Theatre reserves the right to refuse admission to any customer where it is believed by the Duty Manager that at such time, admission would contravene the conditions of the licence and/or pose a higher than an acceptable risk to public safety.
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- Patrons who require particular seating arrangements in order to accommodate difficulties they may have in attending performances should contact the Box Office.
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- Patrons and their carers/assistants are welcome to visit the Theatre prior to attending a performance in order to familiarise themselves with the Theatre’s layout. These visits can be arranged by contacting the Duty Manager on 01322 220099 or by email orchard.theatre@dartford.gov.uk
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- The Box Office is briefed on the style of performances in case either a patron or his/her assistant require further information as to a its suitability for that patron prior to deciding whether to book. Information is offered in good faith, however please be aware that the creative elements of a live performance may not have been finalised at the time of booking and may even be changed during the performance day.
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- Warning notices advising of the use of stroboscopic lighting effects and pyrotechnic explosives are displayed in the entrance foyer on the day of the performances concerned. Those patrons who are aware that they may suffer adversely from certain performance elements should check with staff on arrival at the Theatre.
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- Please refer to our Access Policy for further information.
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- THE FAMILY FRIENDLY THEATRE
- The Orchard realises how important it is to spread the word of live theatre to all members of the family; which is why we strive to make The Orchard a welcoming environment for the entire family.
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- * Shows for all ages
- * Children's shows during School holidays
- * Concessions for children and OAP's on selected performances
- * Special rates for schools/ Groups on selected performances
- * Large cloakroom that can take pushchairs/wheelchairs/prams/shopping.
- * Show related merchandise on selected performances
- * A large selection of confectionery including ice cream.
- * Friendly staff.
- * Baby changing facilities
- * Baby tickets available at only £1 each. Valid for babies under 18 months on selected performances only.
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- SUITABILITY
- The Orchard Theatre in association with its production suppliers strive to ensure that the performance is as advertised. Any indication given as to the suitability or general Information offered is done so in good faith, however please be aware that the creative elements of a live performance may not have been finalised at the time of booking and may even be changed during the performance day. Where a performance is advertised as Adults Only, children will not be admitted. Where a performance is advertised as Parental Guidance children will be admitted with an adult but elements within the production may be considered unsuitable for young children. Very young Children and those who have sensitive hearing should seek guidance before attending popular live music performances. Notices advising of the changes to performers and the use of stroboscopic lighting effects and or pyrotechnic explosives are displayed in the entrance foyer on the day of the performances concerned. The Orchard Theatre cannot be held responsible for any injury or distress caused by actions outside of its control or influence.
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- PARKING
- The Orchard Theatre does not own or operate any public parking facilities, patrons should allow sufficient time to find suitable parking within the town centre and be aware of restrictions and charges made. Parking is available at two locations within a short walk. The Orchards Shopping Centre multi-storey car park which contains two disabled bays on Level 0 and two on Level 2. (Please note: Waitrose ground level car park is not available to patrons. The Civic Centre car park (a short walk over the footbridge) offers free access after 6pm on week days and all day at weekends.The Theatre has six disabled parking bays, which are offered to patrons when booking as members of the Disabled Assistance Scheme. If these spaces are still available on the day of the performance, they will be offered to other disabled badge-holders on a first come, first served basis. There are five disabled spaces in Suffolk Road to the right of the clocktower.
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- Those with mobility difficulties should be dropped off alongside the clocktower in Suffolk Road or at the foot of the ramp approaching the Orchards multi-storey car park.
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- Coaches can drop off and pick up alongside the Theatre.
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- Latecomers
- Unless there is an unavoidable delay, the performances will begin at the advertised time. Any latecomers will be seated at a suitable point in the performance at the discretion of the duty manager.
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- Please note: At the artist's request, some performances do not allow latecomers until the interval.
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- Smoking
- The Orchard Theatre employs a no-smoking policy throughout the building.
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- Cloakroom
- For your comfort and convenience, a cloakroom is available for all performances. We can also accept pushchairs, prams and wheelchairs. Items are left at the owners risk.
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- Pre-order Service
- Group bookers of 50 people or more, can pre-order ice creams, lollies and soft drinks for any performance. These will be delivered to your seats at the interval. Please call the house management team on 01322 220099 or Email orchard.theatre@dartford.gov.uk to place orders.
- Alternatively, you can place your order on the day of your chosen performance at the confectionery counter.
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