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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2017 7:45:14 GMT
Heard yesterday that the WMC are implementing bag searches now. At first for people going into the theatre, but eventually (staffing allowing) for entering the building. For the latter, as it has nearly as many doors as the NT and many other businesses/offices in the building that's going to be a logistical nightmare. But given it's prominence as a building probably increased security is long overdue.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2017 18:44:55 GMT
Yep, I am a Peterborough boy born and raised, but lived in Bedford for 5 years, although am considering moving back to Peterborough before the next adventure.  Wisbech could be next? |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2017 18:48:53 GMT
Heard yesterday that the WMC are implementing bag searches now. At first for people going into the theatre, but eventually (staffing allowing) for entering the building. For the latter, as it has nearly as many doors as the NT and many other businesses/offices in the building that's going to be a logistical nightmare. But given it's prominence as a building probably increased security is long overdue. And, of course, the proximity of the space-time rift brings other problems. |
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Post by peggs on Jun 10, 2017 18:28:15 GMT
Am due at the Globe next week and the website says bag checks etc. and don't bring large bags, usually as a groundling I have a rucksack as you never know what the weather will do so have waterproofs in there and as I queue loads of food etc. to pass the time, I also have to walk a couple of miles to the station so a rucksack is easiest to carry. Now obviously security is more important than convenience and I certainly don't want to get there and not get in so does anyone have any idea how big a bag I might get away with?
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 11, 2017 13:23:44 GMT
Am due at the Globe next week and the website says bag checks etc. and don't bring large bags, usually as a groundling I have a rucksack as you never know what the weather will do so have waterproofs in there and as I queue loads of food etc. to pass the time, I also have to walk a couple of miles to the station so a rucksack is easiest to carry. Now obviously security is more important than convenience and I certainly don't want to get there and not get in so does anyone have any idea how big a bag I might get away with?  |
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Post by Deleted 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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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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