"Are you the walking wounded or the wheelchair wounded?" The purpose of this question from the Box Office at Darlington Civic eluded me at first, until the reason was explained.

There are two "disabled" areas at the theatre with limited capacity so some preliminary sorting of panto punters is necessary. To control exactly who gains access to these areas, "walking wounded" are encouraged to find a seat in the main auditorium; "wheelchair wounded" have the special areas reserved for them at the back of the stalls near the exits and facilities. We were classed with the former for our family's visit to see Cinderella because, although planning to arrive in my wheelchair, I intended to use my sticks and walk short distances with these.

Lots of helpful advice was offered during my initial phone call. Apart from help over the seating arrangements, there was the suggestion that, since car parking around Parkgate is a bit of a tight squeeze - like the silver slipper for the Ugly Sisters - visitors should plan to be dropped off at the pull-in on Borough Road. The nearest car park is a Park Place near the Health Centre - ample room, but a canny trek for any who tire easily.

There is also the problem of crossing Parkgate if you take this route, no easy feat if mobility is a problem or you are waddling with a young family.

The pelican crossing wasn't working, and as a queue of families gathered over the five minutes or so since we pressed the button, we realised all was not well with the green man. Our saviour arrived in the form of a member of theatre staff armed with what we chose to call the "Magic Key". Perhaps she was really the Good Fairy and it was already time to get into the panto spirit.

With this key she activated the lights and we were able to cross, booing and hissing at the cars. That'll teach me not to follow good advice...next time I will arrange to be dropped off at Borough Road as the lady on the phone suggested.

If you have not arranged to receive your tickets by post, which we hadn't, they will need to be picked up at the Box Office. This is a couple of doors down Parkgate and access is a bit awkward. In future I will always have my tickets posted and I recommend you do the same. Steps bar the way to the main theatre entrance, so make for the level entry on Borough Road from where the bar, toilets, the theatre shop and, not least, your seats are all handy.

One gentle suggestion at this point - I think a clear sign at this entrance would help lessen the confusion our family experienced. The disabled toilet, in particular, needs clearer signing, as do the disabled seating areas. However, we found our way around reasonably well and staff were very helpful.

Having found our seat in the stalls, the theatre required that the wheelchair be folded up and stowed away, so be prepared for this. I kept my walking sticks with me, got the children settled, passed round the chocolate and waited for the lights to dim. It was not long before we were booing, hissing, laughing and cheering as the panto got under way. My daughter's wide eyed fascination, eldest son's loud guffaws, and middle son's curiosity soon reassured me that we had made a good decision for a family night out.

The children are quite capable now of sniffing out their own ice-cream and lolly supplies so we were able to slope off to the bar in the interval. From the rear of the stalls, the bar is easily accessible, and, once inside, there is plenty of room to swing a wheelchair. Presumably, the bar is not going to be over subscribed during pantomimes - unless there is a bus-load of alcoholic toddlers in - and space might be more limited at other times; but on this occasion, getting served was refreshingly simple.

Not so simple are the signs at the back of the stalls for toilets. An arrow directs people seeking relief to the left when, in fact, the disabled toilets are to the right. "Just a little faith my dear," as the Fairy Godmother might have said.

Being reunited with my wheelchair after the performance was straightforward - there are plenty of staff on hand to help - and it was time to take our leave. "I think we should definitely do this every year," said my wife. None of us disagreed. There was just the problem of the traffic on Parkgate to contend with but even the green man at the pelican crossing had been revitalised when we pressed the button on our return and crossed the road with ease.

FACT PANEL :

Cinderella at Darlington Civic Theatre runs until Sunday, January 21.

Tel: (01325) 486555 for further details. "Audio Described" and BSL signed performances available. Concessions available on some performances.

Parking nearby at Park Place. Otherwise use drop-off facility on Borough Road.

Published: January 2nd 2001