Frequently Asked Questions

General

When did you open?

The original Riverside Studios was open between 1976 and 2014. Following redevelopment, the new Riverside Studios opened on the same site in November 2019.

Do you have outdoor seating?

Yes. Our Bar & Kitchen and our Bakery have outside seating where you can eat and drink whilst enjoying views of the River Thames and Hammersmith Bridge.  

Do you offer membership?

Yes. To enquire about membership options, please contact our Community Ambassador Any Lucas via [javascript protected email address].

Do you programme events for children?

Both of our cinema screens show upcoming films aimed at all audiences, including some titles for younger viewers. In addition, we offer a full programme of community events for families, including drama, arts and crafts, and other workshops. Please see What’s On for more details.

How accessible are your spaces?

All spaces are wheelchair accessible. We have accessible toilets with changing facilities and lifts to all levels. 

There is a lay-by in front of the venue which has double yellow lines, ideal as a drop-off point as there is a dropped kerb for easy access to the pavement. Please note that this area can become congested, especially at the end of an event when there are many visitors leaving the venue. Blue Badge holders can park for up to three hours on any other single or double yellow line near the venue as per Blue Badge regulations.

Can I bring my assistance dog/support animal with me?

Riverside Studios welcomes assistance dogs, including guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired, medical assistance dogs, and emotional support dogs. Dogs must be professionally trained to behave appropriately within our spaces, and must remain on a lead at all times, wearing a harness/jacket that clearly demarcates them as an assistance animal. Dogs can either accompany you to your seat, or venue staff can look after your dog at the Box Office for the duration of the performance. Support animals may be admitted by mutual agreement. Out of consideration for other patrons, we ask that patrons make contact with our Box Office at least 48 hours in advance of visiting our venue so that appropriate consideration can be given.

Do you have a hearing loop/audio description system?

In the cinema we use T-induction loops. We use Dolby Fidelio in our cinema screens, a wireless audio system that delivers both hearing-impaired and visually impaired narration. Please ask at Reception and we will assist. 

We are also equipped with a digital audio description system which operates for applicable films – these are demarcated on our website with the AD symbol. Audio description is available for most films, and headsets are available upon request from our projectionist in the cinema foyer. 

*Please note that we are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our induction loop system in our theatre spaces. Please speak to a member of our Box Office team so that we can best support you throughout the booking process, and during your visit.

How do you cater to those with photosensitive conditions (e.g., epilepsy)?

We have little influence in the running of live events (including our theatre productions) when it comes to sound levels, including amplifying sound for hearing-impaired patrons. Artists generally travel with their own sound and lighting systems, and their engineers control them throughout the event.

Please also be aware that some shows may contain strobe lighting or smoke effects. Signage will be on the screens outside each performance space, on our website, and available upon enquiry at the Box Office. For those with sensitivity to light/sound, we may be able to offer a crib sheet with information on strobe effects/haze/loud noises, but this depends on the specific production.

I am neurodivergent and struggle with loud noises. Is there somewhere quiet I can go in the venue? 

We appreciate that sometimes people need a break to enjoy a show and having the option of a quiet space can be hugely beneficial to someone with autism, learning disabilities, anxiety or those who experience sensory overload. 

Riverside Studios is a busy venue; however, some areas are quieter than others on show nights. If you are feeling uncomfortable or would like to be shown to a quiet space, please ask a member of staff who will be happy to assist you. 

If you need early access into the performance space before the advertised door opening times, we will do all we possibly can to help and will arrange for seating to be made available if required. We cannot guarantee early admission to the auditorium itself, as this is at the discretion of our productions and will vary for each individual show.

For shows likely to cause discomfort, trigger/content warnings are available on the screens outside each performance space, on our website, and available upon enquiry at the Box Office. Please contact us if you require additional support or advice about our venue layout.

Should I need to leave during the performance for medical reasons, will I be allowed back in?

Some of our productions have a strict no re-admission policy due to their staging – in some cases, it may not be safe for patrons to re-enter if they leave or may have to wait until a suitable point to re-enter. However, we appreciate the need to keep our performances accessible for those with access needs.

Please let our Box Office team know in advance if this applies to you – we can talk to the Production team on a case-by-case basis and ensure that you are still able to enjoy the performance, in a way that keeps both you, and the performers on stage, safe!

In Case of Emergency

Do you provide medical assistance?

Trained First Aiders are present for all events. Please let us know prior to your visit if you have a pre-existing medical condition that may require additional support or medical attention during your visit.

What is your Evacuation protocol?

In the event of an emergency there will be both an audible alarm in all areas, flashing lights in the main auditorium and strobe lights in the accessible toilets. The Front of House Team will ensure the safe exit of all people from the building – they will be wearing high-visibility jackets in each performance space. 

In an emergency, the lifts will not be in operation. We have designated refuge points within the building for the safe evacuation of our access patrons, as well as evacuation chairs in each stairwell. Should you require these in an emergency, staff will direct you to these locations and will provide further instructions.

Cinema

What sort of films do you show at the cinema?

From much-loved classics to modern blockbusters, our two screens offer a wide variety of films including several annual festivals.

How much are cinema tickets?

We offer various ticket prices including concessions for those who are eligible. 

Full Price: £13

Under 25s/Dive In Members: £9

Silver Screen/Parent & Baby Screenings: £8

*Not applicable to all screenings – enquire at Box Office for more details

Programming

Are your studios available to hire?

Yes – for both public performances and private functions. 

We aim to programme our spaces six months in advance, but will always try to accommodate hires and make things work. For further information on live performance programming, please contact [javascript protected email address].

For any enquiries related to private functions – including screenings, parties, and corporate events – please contact [javascript protected email address].

What marketing support do you offer?

We want all productions here to be as successful as possible and will support you as much as we can. This includes (but isn’t limited to) posting about shows on our social media accounts, inclusion in our newsletter and brochure, and placement on our digital screens in and around the building. Please note that we are unable to offer show-specific marketing and all marketing for shows is within the overall publicity for Riverside Studios.

What technical support do you offer?

Our technical team will advise and support you throughout your time at Riverside Studios, and our spaces are rigged with the latest equipment which can be used free of charge. For an additional cost, we may be able to provide further equipment and/or help you source the equipment and crew you require for your production. 

When can I load in or load out?

Our loading hours are between 8am and 10pm.

Can I sell tickets via your box office?

Yes. All tickets for productions at Riverside Studios must be sold via our website or front of house team. For this to be set up, we will require the total amount of tickets available per performance and a breakdown of prices. Please note, we take 4% commission on all tickets sold and charge a £1 booking fee per ticket, capped at £5 (this is retained solely by Riverside Studios).

Can I sell merchandise/programmes via your box office?

Yes. Our Front of House team can sell programmes and merchandise for you if required (subject to amount and size). Please note, we take 20% commission on any programmes sold, and 25% commission on any merchandise sold.

Can I hire a studio for the day?

We try to programme our spaces well in advance, with productions running for a few weeks at a time. For this reason, it can be difficult to find a day or two that might be available, but please get in touch with your requirements and we will see what we can do. In general, our prices would be pro-rated in this situation.

I’d like to hold an exhibition at Riverside Studios – what do I need to do?

Great! Please send over some information on your exhibition with examples of your work to our Events Team [javascript protected email address]. We usually programme exhibitions for a few months at a time and may have some exhibitions already programmed, but we are always on the lookout for new work and would love to hear from you.

Events & Hires

Can I bring in outside catering for private events?

Sorry, all food and beverage must either be provided by Riverside Studios or Sam’s Riverside. Please see our sample menus to get an idea of what we offer. These menus are not exhaustive, and we are always happy to tailor menus to your preferences. 

What technical support do you offer for events? 

Our technical team will advise and liaise with you throughout your time at Riverside Studios, and there will be a technician on duty throughout the period of your hire. Please note that if you require any additional technical crew for any aspect of your event, they will need to be brought in.   

Is staffing included in the hire cost?

Staffing costs depend on the size of the event. Basic staffing such as a waiter, a bartender and an usher are included in the hire cost. If the event is on a larger scale and requires us to bring in more staff on a day than we usually would, this may incur an additional cost. 

Is security included in the hire cost? 

Ushers are included in the venue hire fee, but there would be an additional cost to contract certified security from our chosen security firm Protech.

Security

What permanent security measures do Riverside have in place?

For everyone’s safety and security, we conduct regular security checks, including bag searches. Please only bring one small bag that can be stored under your seat. To store larger items, please contact Stasher.combefore you arrive.

There is CCTV throughout the building. This is used to keep our customers, building and staff safe. Please see more details on our Privacy Policy.