Orchard West is the temporary venue which will operate during the closure of The Orchard Theatre. The Orchard Theatre is closed for essential works following concerns over RAAC concrete.
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About Orchard West
Orchard West opened with Beauty and The Beast on Saturday 9 December 2023.
It is home for the entire Orchard Theatre programme until early January 2025 when maintenance on the Orchard Theatre will be complete.
What facilities does Orchard West have?
Orchard West is a fully functional, temporary, enclosed performance space with over 1,000 seats – complete with comfortable seating, heating and cooling systems, access provision and full backstage and front-of-house facilities including indoor toilets and bars.
The on-site Orchard West box office will be open from 10.00 - 17.00 Monday - Saturday and 90 minutes before performances on Sundays for ticket collection and enquiries.
There is no buggy park at the venue, as space is tight in our front-of-house areas, so if possible please leave buggies in the car or at home.
Where a performance offers a programme or merchandise, this will be available from the kiosks within Orchard West.
What access facilities are available?
We are striving to be as access-friendly as possible.
We have:
- Step-free access
- A dedicated wheelchair seat provision
- A full hearing loop system.
Where is Orchard West?
Located on the Westgate site just a stone’s throw from The Orchard Theatre, Orchard West will be a unique and exciting setting for audiences to continue to enjoy live performances in a warm, safe and comfortable environment.
Orchard West Theatre, 20-54 Hythe Street, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1BX.
Is parking available at the venue?
Orchard West is moments from the Orchard Theatre so the same recommended car parks are available.
The Orchards Shopping Centre (cash only)
If you have pre-booked one of our accessible parking spaces outside the Orchard Theatre, these bookings will no longer be valid.
The closest on-street disabled parking for Orchard West is:
- 14 Hythe Street
- 4 spaces 50m away
- Spital Street
- 6 spaces 100m away
Coach drivers are recommended to continue to use the set-down and pick-up bus stop on Home Gardens. Coach Drivers are encouraged to use the car park at Princes Park Football Club, Darenth Road, Dartford, DA1 1RT.
Is food available?
Whilst Orchard West has a range of food and drinks offerings, including a fully stocked and licenced bar with hot and cold drink provisions, an ice cream counter and a confectionary stand, it does not have a restaurant to offer pre-show dining.
If you have booked pre-show dining or our food platters for your Orchard Theatre event these are no longer available at Orchard West. You will have been refunded (if you pre-paid).
If you are a large group booking (20+ tickets) we will be happy to discuss a bespoke hospitality package for your party.
Can our large group/school wait in the foyer before the performance begins?
There is enough space in our front-of-house foyer area for large groups to meet pre-show. However, we do not recommend that large school groups stay for extended periods (for example to eat packed lunches) which could cause obstruction.
My tickets
Details of newly appointed seats at Orchard West will be emailed to all ticketholders. This process requires manual intervention, and we ask for your patience, as we systematically work through the autumn programme.
When will I know what my new seats will be?
Orchard West has a unique seating arrangement compared to the Orchard Theatre new seating plan. As a result, manual intervention is required to relocate tickets, to the closet equivalent seat on the new seating plan. This will take some time to process, and events will be processed systematically.
Ticketholders were sent an email with details of their new appointed seats within Orchard West.
How were my new seats allocated?
Your new seat will be the equivalent seat in Orchard West. It will be the same price and zone. If you had an access seat, you’ll still have an access seat within the Orchard West.
All bookings will continue to be grouped together.
It will not be possible to change your allocated seats, as other seats will have been allocated to other ticketholders. Your seat will be equivalent or better.
Do I need new tickets/barcodes?
Yes, you will be issued new tickets once your booking has been transferred. This new ticket will need to be brought to the venue as will have an updated barcode and new seat location.
I have a group booking, what do I need to do?
Please visit Groups at Orchard West