|
Post by d'James on Feb 17, 2016 5:52:43 GMT
Wow. I'm getting a complex.
The past two times I've been to the theatre I have tried to use the only cubicle and it's been blocked.
Is the plumbing that bad in theatres? Why do men only get one cubicle?
Other toilet rants?
|
|
18,801 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 17, 2016 6:54:34 GMT
I try to avoid.
|
|
Xanderl
Member
Not always very high value in terms of ticket yield or donations
|
Post by Xanderl on Feb 17, 2016 7:09:16 GMT
Yeah, I know queuing for the Ladies is a nightmare for female theatregoers but the Gents loos in theatres are often vile.
|
|
18,801 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 17, 2016 7:14:30 GMT
The worst thing about it is that when you come out of the cubicle having been faced with a mess, to find a queue of people waiting to follow you in...
Reminds me of that very old Lily Savage anecdote about going to the toilet on an aircraft. "All up the walls it was... All up the walls".
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2016 8:24:58 GMT
I have a strict fluid intake limit in certain theatres, specifically to avoid rush for the ladies in the interval. Only exception is if I have an isle seat right close to the relevant exit for a quick getaway. I don't know how the gluggers in the bar manage - either they have cast iron bladders or have a lot of patience in queues.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2016 9:15:37 GMT
The advantage the serial theatre-goer has over the casual is that we know where the toilets are, which may only give us a 2 second head-start at the interval, but sometimes 2 seconds is all you need. I've never had a cleanliness problem with any of the ladies' toilets though, I do feel bad for the men in this thread.
(Actually, I'm beginning to suspect that a good way to avoid toilet queues is to sit quietly in my seat for ten minutes of the interval *then* go to the loo. I suspect most ladies panic about the queues and rush straight there, so as long as they've been fairly efficient working through the queue, there'd be very little left as the end of the interval approaches. I use the facilities before going in though, so I have yet to test this hypothesis.)
|
|
18,801 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 17, 2016 9:48:29 GMT
The gents at the Southwark Playhouse weren't a pleasant experience a few Saturday's ago. I went after the show only because I was going on somewhere else. However it's just occurred to me that despite going to the various theatres in Manchester for years I've never been in any of the toilets.
|
|
923 posts
|
Post by Snciole on Feb 17, 2016 9:58:04 GMT
Almeida was strangely civilised when it came to toilets, my (female) companion and I hadn't had time to go before the show but the first act is on 35 minutes but it did help that I knew to run down the ramp and use the toilet as we only had 10 minutes (not the sort of play you were a play/jump suit for!)
I think what gets me is that, currently, I am a a young spinster with a good bladder but the majority of female patrons are older and may have had children-won't go into details but having children seems to mess with your bladder in all sorts of ways. There needs to be more toilets in theatres to cater for this.
|
|
2,563 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by viserys on Feb 17, 2016 10:35:55 GMT
The advantage the serial theatre-goer has over the casual is that we know where the toilets are, which may only give us a 2 second head-start at the interval, but sometimes 2 seconds is all you need. I've never had a cleanliness problem with any of the ladies' toilets though, I do feel bad for the men in this thread. (Actually, I'm beginning to suspect that a good way to avoid toilet queues is to sit quietly in my seat for ten minutes of the interval *then* go to the loo. I suspect most ladies panic about the queues and rush straight there, so as long as they've been fairly efficient working through the queue, there'd be very little left as the end of the interval approaches. I use the facilities before going in though, so I have yet to test this hypothesis.) You don't need to be a serial theatre-goer though. I usually go before the show to avoid the interval rush and to figure out where the Ladies are. If you do need to go during the interval, it's best in my experience to make an immediate dash for it (which might not always work when you're stuck in the middle of the row) and beat the queue. Most people seem to dawdle a bit, stretch, exchange a few words on the performance and only then realize "Hey, I should go to the Ladies" and then go in search of said location. It often amuses me to walk straight into a cubicle at the beginning of the interval and by the time I come out, the queue snakes down half the hallway. Not to mention that the cubicles are still sparkling clean early on. I don't think the queues are shorter before the interval ends, because many people don't think about it when the interval STARTS, but then (especially after that interval drink) think "hmm, I should go to the Ladies before sitting down again".
|
|
1,510 posts
|
Post by anita on Feb 17, 2016 10:39:40 GMT
Always go when arrive at theatre in order to avoid needing to go later.
|
|
587 posts
|
Post by Polly1 on Feb 17, 2016 10:43:18 GMT
Ah, a toilet thread, now we all feel properly at home
|
|
816 posts
|
Post by stefy69 on Feb 17, 2016 12:32:25 GMT
Making me feel a bit flushed, to be honest... Anita is right - arrive early, be first to use them. Rule 2: Don't use the ones that everybody else spots. Find those on the second level / in the basement / at the back etc. Rule 3: Better still, as was discussed on the other boards, use a posh hotel / department store / Festival Hall (rather than the National) bogs before you arrive. Or perhaps Monkey on your website you could colour code the loos as you do for seating plans ?
|
|
5,585 posts
|
Post by lynette on Feb 17, 2016 12:34:15 GMT
There has been some improvement in facilities lately, especially in the West End. They can't always increase the number of cubicles but they are at least modern now and not what I expect Mrs Garrick had to put up with! I've always thought it was really silly of theatres not to invest some more space in the provision of toilets. If we gals can be assured of a comfort stop then we can also buy a drink, merchandise, sweeties whatever and provide more income for the theatre. As it is I usually wait till the end of a show and scurry home without spending more than that penny. Missed opportunity say I. The NT is and has always been disgraceful. Whoever designed the loo provision was an idiot. Even now with the so called refurb ( huh!) the entrance to the ladies is such that you cannot pass the people coming in to go out without all that 'scuse me ' stuff. And it is still like a railway station. We should have loos that make the whole evening a delight....
Nice thread d'james. I feel really at home now.
|
|
4,799 posts
|
Post by The Matthew on Feb 17, 2016 12:37:06 GMT
Another option: BoginaBag. (Also works as, ahem, a stool.)
|
|
|
Post by jaqs on Feb 17, 2016 12:37:25 GMT
Trafalgar studios are terrible for breaking, not flushing or continually flushing, best to use the pub next door.
The grottiest I've been to recently were The phoenix, the ripped lino floor was a nice trip hazard.
The Prince of Wales and Prince Edward are rather terrific though.
|
|
4,369 posts
|
Post by Michael on Feb 17, 2016 12:43:05 GMT
The grottiest I've been to recently were The phoenix, the ripped lino floor was a nice trip hazard. So you haven't been to the Union yet? Those were the by far worst restrooms I've ever seen in any theatre.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2016 12:47:08 GMT
Top tip: get your entry number at the Union, head over to the Young Vic to pee.
|
|
|
Post by jaqs on Feb 17, 2016 12:49:53 GMT
The grottiest I've been to recently were The phoenix, the ripped lino floor was a nice trip hazard. So you haven't been to the Union yet? Those were the by far worst restrooms I've ever seen in any theatre. I tended to go to the union after work, which was only a few minutes walk from my office. I do try and avoid fringe toilets as much as possible. Though the old vic tunnels ones had fun decor.
|
|
2,041 posts
|
Post by 49thand8th on Feb 17, 2016 15:24:26 GMT
I don't drink any liquids an hour before a show starts. Generally this has worked out pretty well!
|
|
851 posts
|
Post by longinthetooth on Feb 17, 2016 15:55:21 GMT
I really don't understand why so many people have to dash to the loo during the interval. I'm retired, so obviously my bladder is past the first "flush" of youth, if you'll pardon the expression, but I don't have the constant urge to go. I usually plan my trip so that I can use the facilities elsewhere before reaching the theatre, and pop into a pub or hotel on the way home, if the need arises - but it rarely does. Am I unusual???
|
|
833 posts
|
Post by Steffi on Feb 17, 2016 16:04:52 GMT
I really don't understand why so many people have to dash to the loo during the interval. I'm retired, so obviously my bladder is past the first "flush" of youth, if you'll pardon the expression, but I don't have the constant urge to go. I usually plan my trip so that I can use the facilities elsewhere before reaching the theatre, and pop into a pub or hotel on the way home, if the need arises - but it rarely does. Am I unusual??? I'm one of those people who often goes to the toilet before the show and in the interval. I don't drink huge amounts right before the show and certainly not during act one but I still often end up having to make a toilet dash. I obviously have the bladder of a 90 years old woman. Funny enough I can easily do a three hour immersive theatre show (mostly Sleep no more these days) without going to the toilet once. A lot of my friends rarely go to the toilet at the theatre at all and me jumping out of my seat at the end of act one has become a bit of a running gag.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2016 16:06:46 GMT
Is it just me, but does the Toilet Jinx sound like a great idea for a Urinetown sequel?
|
|
1,103 posts
|
Post by mallardo on Feb 17, 2016 16:13:05 GMT
Re the NT there are toilets on what I think is the 2nd floor - where they used to have a kind of art gallery - that are NEVER busy. I always head up to the men's room there and have never seen another person.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2016 16:28:53 GMT
Lyttelton circle level and Olivier cloakroom level toilets, I have NEVER had to queue for those. I also get the funniest looks from the ladies queuing for the Lyttelton stalls toilets when I come downstairs and tell them there's a toilet immediately above their heads that has no queue. They never go though, I should just stop trying to help. Also most of the time you can use the ones on Olivier circle (and probably) stalls level easily enough too, though once the house is open you'd be best not to try without a ticket.
|
|
2,041 posts
|
Post by 49thand8th on Feb 17, 2016 16:29:48 GMT
I really don't understand why so many people have to dash to the loo during the interval. I'm retired, so obviously my bladder is past the first "flush" of youth, if you'll pardon the expression, but I don't have the constant urge to go. I usually plan my trip so that I can use the facilities elsewhere before reaching the theatre, and pop into a pub or hotel on the way home, if the need arises - but it rarely does. Am I unusual??? Probably. I think I have a small bladder. (I don't have any medical issues; I just usually go when I get into the building and again as close to curtain as possible without being late.) Once I almost ran out to the restroom as soon as Earl Carpenter had finished "Stars." But that's not exactly a short show...
|
|
2,389 posts
|
Post by peggs on Feb 17, 2016 18:00:39 GMT
[tr][td class="content"][article] Or perhaps Monkey on your website you could colour code the loos as you do for seating plans ? [/article]
LOL. Funny enough, readers do send comments, and I add them to the page, along with the cubicle counts. Colour coding, now there's an idea... You do cubicle counts Theatremonkey? How have I missed this? Vital info when going somewhere new to minimise wasted time
|
|
2,389 posts
|
Post by peggs on Feb 17, 2016 18:01:57 GMT
Lyttelton circle level and Olivier cloakroom level toilets, I have NEVER had to queue for those. I also get the funniest looks from the ladies queuing for the Lyttelton stalls toilets when I come downstairs and tell them there's a toilet immediately above their heads that has no queue. They never go though, I should just stop trying to help. I have similarly done that too but have given up as people look at as if you're trying to trick them out of their place in the queue, nearly always head upstairs at the NT as much faster.
|
|
2,041 posts
|
Post by 49thand8th on Feb 17, 2016 19:04:31 GMT
|
|
|
Post by DebbieDoesDouglas(Hodge) on Feb 18, 2016 0:21:31 GMT
Piss before it starts, piss if it has a break, piss if u pass the national
Speaking of which HOW awful are their new men's bogs?! I mean they were crap before but now the decor makes u wana kill yourself
God I hope it burns down (can I say that? If I can't then everyone don't read that bit)
|
|
4,631 posts
|
Post by Phantom of London on Feb 18, 2016 0:43:24 GMT
I never let any of this worry me and I eat and drink what I want before I go, I just wear a nappy.
|
|