As you might have noticed (!) I'm a huge fan of Nottingham Playhouse, over the years I've built up a great relationship with the theatre and I go to just about every play they put on so I'm always thrilled when actors stay in our apartments.
Amy got in touch with me a few months ago and subsequently stayed at Cricket Heaven – one of our wheelchair accessible properties – for 6 weeks. She was kind enough to answer my questions about her stay...
What brought you to Nottingham?
I was cast as Laura in The Glass Menagerie at Nottingham Playhouse. I was in Nottingham for six weeks.
Amy got in touch with me a few months ago and subsequently stayed at Cricket Heaven – one of our wheelchair accessible properties – for 6 weeks. She was kind enough to answer my questions about her stay...
What brought you to Nottingham?
I was cast as Laura in The Glass Menagerie at Nottingham Playhouse. I was in Nottingham for six weeks.
Why did you choose to stay in a Nook & Cranny apartment?
I was looking for accessible accommodation in Nottingham near the Nottingham Playhouse, which was proving slightly impossible! I contacted Katie at Nook and Cranny and she pointed me towards Cricket Heaven in West Bridgford, which was perfect for me. It was a home away from home. I had my car with me and found getting into Nottingham centre very easy. Public transport was also accessible.
What was your favourite haunt/thing to do in West Bridgford?
I loved visiting the park which was always bustling with dog walkers and families. Escabeche does amazing tapas and the staff are super friendly - they also have live music on Sundays which my fellow cast members and I really enjoyed. I would often visit Carluccios and Côte for lunch or just a hot drink. The park and shops were a really short walk from the apartment so exploring was very easy. The staff in the library were also really helpful.
I was looking for accessible accommodation in Nottingham near the Nottingham Playhouse, which was proving slightly impossible! I contacted Katie at Nook and Cranny and she pointed me towards Cricket Heaven in West Bridgford, which was perfect for me. It was a home away from home. I had my car with me and found getting into Nottingham centre very easy. Public transport was also accessible.
What was your favourite haunt/thing to do in West Bridgford?
I loved visiting the park which was always bustling with dog walkers and families. Escabeche does amazing tapas and the staff are super friendly - they also have live music on Sundays which my fellow cast members and I really enjoyed. I would often visit Carluccios and Côte for lunch or just a hot drink. The park and shops were a really short walk from the apartment so exploring was very easy. The staff in the library were also really helpful.
Amy in rehearsals (photo by Robert Day)
Was the flat accessible?
For me, yes. I am a manual wheelchair user and had no problems. I transfer quite easily on my own so I used my own shower seat which fitted into the en suite shower perfectly. There was a slight step into the shower but I found this manageable. There's also a bath so plenty of options! There are low and high cupboards in the kitchen but I just had everything moved down so it was reachable.
There are some high windows which some wheelchair users might not be able to reach but there are plenty of reachable windows to open which made the apartment feel really light. Most of the apartment has carpet but I found it really easy to wheel around. The area around the flat is also accessible - lots of drop down curbs and not too hilly.
Did it have any other useful adaptations/equipment?
It didn't have any adaptations but I didn't really need anything extra for my needs.
For me, yes. I am a manual wheelchair user and had no problems. I transfer quite easily on my own so I used my own shower seat which fitted into the en suite shower perfectly. There was a slight step into the shower but I found this manageable. There's also a bath so plenty of options! There are low and high cupboards in the kitchen but I just had everything moved down so it was reachable.
There are some high windows which some wheelchair users might not be able to reach but there are plenty of reachable windows to open which made the apartment feel really light. Most of the apartment has carpet but I found it really easy to wheel around. The area around the flat is also accessible - lots of drop down curbs and not too hilly.
Did it have any other useful adaptations/equipment?
It didn't have any adaptations but I didn't really need anything extra for my needs.
Amy as Laura (photo by Robert Day)
Would you stay in a Nook & Cranny apartment again?
Absolutely. I really enjoyed my stay in West Bridgford and hope to be back in the near future. I wouldn't hesitate about staying at Cricket Heaven again and would recommend Nook and Cranny apartments to others visiting the area.
What are you starring in next and where can we see you in action?
My next project is with the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, Essex. I've been accepted onto the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme so I'll be working at the Mercury theatre as an assistant director for a few months which is very exciting.
Absolutely. I really enjoyed my stay in West Bridgford and hope to be back in the near future. I wouldn't hesitate about staying at Cricket Heaven again and would recommend Nook and Cranny apartments to others visiting the area.
What are you starring in next and where can we see you in action?
My next project is with the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, Essex. I've been accepted onto the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme so I'll be working at the Mercury theatre as an assistant director for a few months which is very exciting.
Amy in action (photo by Robert Day)
MASSIVE thanks to Amy for being so helpful and really good luck in your new role as an assistant director, I'm sure you'll smash it! We hope to see you again soon.
As well as Cricket Heaven we have two other wheelchair-friendly apartments: Sunrise Hideaway and Sunset Hideaway, both at the Bowling Green on Melton Road. If you'd like to find out any more about staying at any of our properties please get in touch.
As well as Cricket Heaven we have two other wheelchair-friendly apartments: Sunrise Hideaway and Sunset Hideaway, both at the Bowling Green on Melton Road. If you'd like to find out any more about staying at any of our properties please get in touch.
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