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Post by lynette on Jun 11, 2017 16:13:58 GMT
Weather forecast no rain as far as I can see so dump the rain gear. Light jacket with pockets for the travel card, credit card, bit of cash. Tuck key into another inside pocket. Sweeties, water bottle and paperback in plastic bag. Can dump when finished. Paper back can be offered to passerby. So no bag required.
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Jun 11, 2017 19:16:22 GMT
I can't really argue with either of those suggestions can I, think will pick clothes with the most pockets and hope there's a chatty person in the groundling queue to pass the time with.
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Post by profquatermass on Jun 12, 2017 9:44:26 GMT
I can't really argue with either of those suggestions can I, think will pick clothes with the most pockets and hope there's a chatty person in the groundling queue to pass the time with. The Kindle app on my phone is a lifesaver on these occasions
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1,064 posts
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Security
Jun 12, 2017 17:52:00 GMT
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Post by bellboard27 on Jun 12, 2017 17:52:00 GMT
After visiting the NT enhanced security for visits to the Littleton and Dorfman I now am paying a visit to the Olivier. It's distinctly odd. Having come through security checks one is not allowed to use the lifts going up (going down is fine). This might be due to the guy sitting at the Olivier cloakroom landing saying no bags larger than the NT auditorium policy are allowed on floors further up. What if I want to collect my ticket and go down as it's one hour before the show? You still have to stow your bag. Fortunately I had my stuff a backpack into a Sainsbury's carrier bag routine ready. But why bags (once checked) are allowed on some floors and not others is not clear.
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Jun 12, 2017 18:47:18 GMT
I can't really argue with either of those suggestions can I, think will pick clothes with the most pockets and hope there's a chatty person in the groundling queue to pass the time with. The Kindle app on my phone is a lifesaver on these occasions Yeah I should probably embrace 21st Century technology really.
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Jun 12, 2017 18:51:46 GMT
Is everything back open now around that area, I usually walk down from london bridge past the cathedrale and the market but rather opted to not read everything about the attack so wasn't quite sure where stuff happened and so where was shut.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2017 9:41:56 GMT
I was early to meet a friend last night so I popped into the NT (or rather I tried to) for a glass of wine while I was waiting. The security there is insanely over the top! In order to grab a glass of wine and take it outside I would have had to go through a bag check (fair enough), then immediately leave my bag in the cloakroom, go to the bar, buy drink, retrieve bag, go outside. I guess it's one way to stop people from nipping in to use the toilets... Obviously I didn't bother and went to the Southbank Centre where you can walk in as usual.
I've never seen the place so deserted and their coffee shop/bar/food takings must have crashed. We talk about the damage of having a couple of clunkers in rep in the Olivier but this seems far more likely to kill off the NT than that. Surely they aren't going to keep this up indefinitely? It's wildly out of proportion to the risk. I was goiong to give Common a go but to go through all that for a play I probably won't like is too much so am heading there today for a refund. It's madness!
Thank you for letting me get that out of my system...
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Post by n1david on Jun 22, 2017 9:55:37 GMT
I've never seen the place so deserted and their coffee shop/bar/food takings must have crashed. I winder if this was more to do with yesterday's weather? There were literally hundreds of people sitting outside the Understudy, which I saw yesterday has evolved into a summer complex of three bars (inside, a cocktail bar next to kitchen and a beer bar next to the river) with three food stalls for pizza, fried chicken and ice cream. So parts of the NT seem to be taking plenty revenue last night (as was the sold out production of Barber Shop Chronicles last night)
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2,389 posts
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Post by peggs on Jun 22, 2017 11:29:48 GMT
I was early to meet a friend last night so I popped into the NT (or rather I tried to) for a glass of wine while I was waiting. The security there is insanely over the top! In order to grab a glass of wine and take it outside I would have had to go through a bag check (fair enough), then immediately leave my bag in the cloakroom, go to the bar, buy drink, retrieve bag, go outside. I guess it's one way to stop people from nipping in to use the toilets... Obviously I didn't bother and went to the Southbank Centre where you can walk in as usual. I've never seen the place so deserted and their coffee shop/bar/food takings must have crashed. We talk about the damage of having a couple of clunkers in rep in the Olivier but this seems far more likely to kill off the NT than that. Surely they aren't going to keep this up indefinitely? It's wildly out of proportion to the risk. I was goiong to give Common a go but to go through all that for a play I probably won't like is too much so am heading there today for a refund. It's madness! Thank you for letting me get that out of my system... You have to check your bag in to go to the bar now? I quite frequently used to pop into the national to use the toilets and grab a water but as I go there a lot it seemed fine to me to do so, no longer an option unless I have time to spare?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2017 11:32:10 GMT
It's wildly out of proportion to the risk. Totally agree, abby. The only thing I wonder is if they were given some kind of warning that the NT was on the list of targets, so they are being more careful than other venues? Otherwise, I agree, they just seem rather more paranoid than anywhere else I've been to at all, recently. The day it all kicked in I got the impression it was under very specific intelligence- it had been days since Manchester and security was at normal the day before then upped to the extreme the next day (showing ID to get into Dorfman at that point as well) also the sheer volume of police presence around the NT/Southbank (we counted I think 7-8 police vans parked around the back of the buildings) it felt like it was very specific response.
However that was nearly a month ago now, and others seem to have relaxed their security? but perhaps the NT are still acting on specific advice.
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Security
Jun 22, 2017 11:52:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2017 11:52:52 GMT
Totally agree, abby. The only thing I wonder is if they were given some kind of warning that the NT was on the list of targets, so they are being more careful than other venues? Otherwise, I agree, they just seem rather more paranoid than anywhere else I've been to at all, recently. The day it all kicked in I got the impression it was under very specific intelligence- it had been days since Manchester and security was at normal the day before then upped to the extreme the next day (showing ID to get into Dorfman at that point as well) also the sheer volume of police presence around the NT/Southbank (we counted I think 7-8 police vans parked around the back of the buildings) it felt like it was very specific response.
However that was nearly a month ago now, and others seem to have relaxed their security? but perhaps the NT are still acting on specific advice.
That's interesting - I wonder why the NT would be more of a target than anywhere else? It feels such a shame that it's so unwelcoming at the moment (though the security guards were very friendly and nice). Like Peggs says, it's usually a good place to pop into but I'd be totally put off from doing that now.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2017 11:56:13 GMT
Well I say bravo to the Nash. I've been a couple of times since the security measures began and I've not found it a hassle or unwelcoming in the slightest. The bag check moved quickly, the bag checkers were delightful and the cloakroom was dealt with quickly and efficiently.
The only thing I was disappointed about was that you don't get a full body frisk on the way in.
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Post by bee on Jun 22, 2017 13:35:58 GMT
Well I say bravo to the Nash. I've been a couple of times since the security measures began and I've not found it a hassle or unwelcoming in the slightest. The bag check moved quickly, the bag checkers were delightful and the cloakroom was dealt with quickly and efficiently. The only thing I was disappointed about was that you don't get a full body frisk on the way in. You obviously didn't have a sufficiently suspicious looking bulge in your trousers....
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jun 22, 2017 19:58:27 GMT
I went to the NT a couple of days after the Manchester attack. Stood in the bag check queue for about ten minutes then security waved me by without even looking inside my backpack. Wasn't asked to put it in the cloakroom either. Odd.
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1,064 posts
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Security
Jun 22, 2017 22:36:03 GMT
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Post by bellboard27 on Jun 22, 2017 22:36:03 GMT
I just visited the Grand Opera House in Belfast. This city knows a thing or two about security, as I experienced in earlier visits. But for this visit to the GOH there was nothing. No search, no obvious bag restrictions, etc.
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Post by firefingers on Jun 22, 2017 23:59:08 GMT
Was forced to give up my bottle of water in my bad by Bat Out Of Hell, which was annoying. Not like it is hot or anything.
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4,631 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Jun 23, 2017 2:21:44 GMT
Think the security situation is over zealous and is a knee jerk reaction to recent events. Unfortunately if someone is a lone wolf and hell bent on committing terrorism and has total disregard for his/her own life all the security in the world would never stop them.
You could make an coherent argument that the queue for the bag check, makes an ideal target for people who want to commit atrocious acts.
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Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
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Post by Xanderl on Jun 23, 2017 5:49:41 GMT
Was forced to give up my bottle of water in my bad by Bat Out Of Hell, which was annoying. Not like it is hot or anything. I suggest trying the approach I use at airport security - empty the bottle, take it in and fill it with tap water inside. There are usually jugs at the bar at the Colliseum, or ask them to fill the bottle up (or ask for tap water and fill it yourself) If they refuse to let you take the empty bottle in, it's not about security Given some reports on the audience for this show possibly they are trying to stop people taking a water bottle full of vodka in!
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3,069 posts
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Security
Jun 23, 2017 8:06:14 GMT
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Post by Rory on Jun 23, 2017 8:06:14 GMT
Think the security situation is over zealous and is a knee jerk reaction to recent events. Unfortunately if someone is a lone wolf and hell bent on committing terrorism and has total disregard for his/her own life all the security in the world would never stop them. You could make an coherent argument that the queue for the bag check, makes an ideal target for people who want to commit atrocious acts. I have to disagree. Sadly it's necessary in our current times and if even the remote prospect of a bag search deters someone with malicious intent, then surely that's to be welcomed?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2017 8:11:38 GMT
Suddenly wondered if the NT security is to do with the subject matter of "Angels In America" making the place more vulnerable to attack. Hence thier level being higher than anywhere else? It's a sad state of affairs that this is still a very plausible theory. Given that they're also running the 'Queer Theatre' readings over Pride weekend I can't see things being lessened until then (I actually wonder generally what security will be like for Pride this year)
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2017 8:46:36 GMT
Think the security situation is over zealous and is a knee jerk reaction to recent events. Unfortunately if someone is a lone wolf and hell bent on committing terrorism and has total disregard for his/her own life all the security in the world would never stop them. You could make an coherent argument that the queue for the bag check, makes an ideal target for people who want to commit atrocious acts. I have to disagree. Sadly it's necessary in our current times and if even the remote prospect of a bag search deters someone with malicious intent, then surely that's to be welcomed? But in that case why have the pub with no security and people massing outside in large numbers? Either you accept the tiny risk of an attack and keep everything more or less as usual or you say the risk is unacceptable and shut everything down. As previously stated, I would go for the former every time and am more than happy to accept what is still an absolutely minuscule risk to continue to enjoy my life (excepting where there is a specific threat, which may be the case with the NT currently, in which case I understand taking short-term exceptional actions).
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2017 8:47:32 GMT
Suddenly wondered if the NT security is to do with the subject matter of "Angels In America" making the place more vulnerable to attack. Hence thier level being higher than anywhere else? It's a sad state of affairs that this is still a very plausible theory. Given that they're also running the 'Queer Theatre' readings over Pride weekend I can't see things being lessened until then (I actually wonder generally what security will be like for Pride this year) There's an extent to which I'd feel slightly better about the world if I thought that potential terrorists were informed enough to know what Angels in America is about...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2017 8:51:25 GMT
@abby this is very true.... Also there's a part of me that feels Angels is saved a bit from our general homophobic ranters simply because a two part 7 hour play is a bit too much of a challenge
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2017 9:07:20 GMT
Oh, another thought - maybe Nathan Lane's insurers insist on it? Maybe Mr Lane insists on a crowd of handsome security men to follow him around?
@ryan another job for you at the NT?
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Post by duncan on Jun 23, 2017 10:26:08 GMT
As we saw in 1999 there are far easier targets than the NT available to homophobic idiots with a bomb.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2017 12:56:43 GMT
I have no issue with any extra security measures, especially at theatres. I think people need to remember that theatres are places that most people go once a year or once every few years. They're not a necessity or normality of life for the vast majorty of people. And they also struggle to make money most of the time. If one did get targeted it could throw the whole industry into a flux with people not visiting them altogether meaning many shows would close and many people would lose their jobs. It's bigger than just the security risk.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2017 13:01:55 GMT
Indeed! and I'd rather go through ridiculous security every day even if I'm just nipping in to the loo, than have one person die at the hands of terrorists or similar. Speaking of though, I've had a classic one today in the realm of 'ooh what on earth is going on over there?!' only to discover it was Casulty filming (you can tell becuase their ambulances are in English not Welsh )
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Post by stefy69 on Jun 23, 2017 13:34:04 GMT
Indeed! and I'd rather go through ridiculous security every day even if I'm just nipping in to the loo, than have one person die at the hands of terrorists or similar. Speaking of though, I've had a classic one today in the realm of 'ooh what on earth is going on over there?!' only to discover it was Casulty filming (you can tell becuase their ambulances are in English not Welsh ) Oh me too ! A mnior delay against well I really don't want to think what... Plus you could win several quizzes with that piece of Casulaty info
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2017 14:17:04 GMT
Indeed! and I'd rather go through ridiculous security every day even if I'm just nipping in to the loo, than have one person die at the hands of terrorists or similar. See, I know what you mean but I'm not sure I'd agree (and I say that carefully) - it feels like saying 'I'd rather everyone walked everywhere than have one person die in a car accident'. We all choose convenience over risk every single day - and it's far more risky to get into a car than go into a theatre. The risk of being affected by terrorism is so so minimal that acting as though we're living under siege when we really aren't feels like a rather stupid act of self-harm. Yes, I was nervous getting on the tube the day after the London bombings; but no, I didn't want the tube to stop running altogether because of the tiny risk that one day a suicide bomber might be on there with me. That's not in any way to take away from the utter awfulness of it for people who have been affected, of course.
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Security
Jun 23, 2017 14:28:40 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2017 14:28:40 GMT
Except the tube is still running, people still drive and theatres are still open. It's just that people take precautions. You put on your seatbelt and you have your bag checked when you enter the theatre.
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