The Story Detectives
Venue and Performance Access Information: Plymouth Central Library
We hope that the following information will provide all the details you might need to know about accessing our performance, hosted in this unusual setting.
Venue Details
Plymouth Central Library is situated on the corner of Armada Way and Mayflower Street.
Address: Plymouth Library, Taylor Maxwell House, 167-171 Armada Way, Plymouth, PL1 1HZ
The Library is located on a pedestrianised area of the City. There is level access through the front door.
More information about the library can be found here: https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/central-library
Please note that the performance of The Story Detectives will use both the ground and first floor. There is a lift available to move from the ground to first floor where needed.
Parking
There are multiple carparks in the centre of Plymouth. More information can be found here: https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/find-somewhere-park
More information about disabled parking and Blue Badge parking can be found here: https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/blue-badges-and-disabled-parking
Travel
Train
The closest train station is Plymouth station. It is approximately an 8 minute walk or a 4 minute drive to the library from the station.
Bus
There are bus stops on Mayflower Street where a large number of Services stop..
More information and bus timetables can be found here: https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/
Music and Sound
The performance features recorded music that underscores the performance throughout. This is played via a small speaker, controlled remotely (via Bluetooth) by the Company Director, Katie. The volume of the sound is kept low throughout the performance, but if at any time you would like Katie to turn down the music, please just let her know. Katie will make an announcement before the performance starts to explain this, to make sure the information is clear.
General Information
This is a promenade performance, watching sections of dance in different places throughout the library. The performance is recreated for every different library we visit, but generally we spend most of the performance in the Children's Library area and then move to 3 or 4 other locations depending on the size of the space.
The performance is approximately 45 minutes in duration, and we ask our audiences to stand or sit (often on the floor, if this is possible) and walk throughout. For each new section, the dancers position the audience in an area that gives them the best view of the performance, and these areas are usually marked with coloured tape.
Should you need to bring a fold-up seat with you to access the performance, you are welcome to do so, but please inform us on arrival so that we can assist you as required to ensure best sight lines and to inform you of longer sections, where it is most appropriate to sit. Each section lasts between 5-10 minutes, before walking to the next section. There are also some natural rest points within the library, such as chairs or stools, which you may sit on if required during the performance.
The performance is 45 minutes in duration with no interval and is usually followed by a short (optional) interactive session, between 15 and 30 minutes long depending on the library's requirements. More information about this additional workshop session is provided on the flyer for each library, or on the booking pages listed on our website here: https://madebykatiegreen.co.uk/performances/the-story-detectives/.
Access to the performance
Please note that we have a Social Story Film available that explains what you can expect at a Story Detectives performance. You can watch this film here:
You can also read our Social Story as a pdf here: https://madebykatiegreen.co.uk/admin/resources/social-storyhard-copy.pdf
A hard copy of this Social Story will be made available on the day of the performances in a designated 'Chill Out Space', along with a small selection of sensory toys. You are welcome to leave the performance at any time and move to the Chill Out Space, or somewhere else in the library as you prefer. You are also welcome to return to the performance at any time.
Please let us know (using the contact details for Katie above) if you require a printed copy of our performance script in advance of or during the performance.
Arrival Guide
- Venue opening times
Plymouth Library is open to the public from 10-4pm on the day of the performance.
- Arriving at the venue
On arrival, you will approach the venue entrance the street.
- Guest list
Once inside the library, a member of library staff will be available to take your name and view your booking confirmation as needed. Please note that the staff member will have a list of people who have booked tickets, so it is generally not necessary for you to have your booking confirmation available.
- Access contact on-site
Should you need to speak to a member of the Company prior to the performance start, please ask for Katie. She will be wearing a purple t-shirt or black long-sleeved top with the Story Detectives logo printed onto it.
- Arrival times
You are advised to arrive 10-15 minutes before the scheduled performance time. Once you have let a member of staff know that you/your group has arrived you will be advised where to go to wait for the start of the performance.
Made By Katie Green is committed to inclusive practice. We endeavour to make all our events as accessible as possible. If you have any access or mobility requirements, or have difficulty standing for extended periods of time, please contact us in advance so that we can advise you on access and make the best arrangements for your visit.