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Post by Phantom of London on Dec 21, 2019 17:58:55 GMT
Years ago I remember reading in programmes in very small print, on the bottom of a page hidden under who is employed in the company and theatre that;
- The safety curtain must be raised and lowered in front of the audience.
- That aisles ways must be kept clear.
- That the audience can use any exit.
So wondering after a trip to the Bridge Theatre today and if you are unlucky to be near the stage, it is awful to get out of that venue, however there is a side exit, but blocked by an usher saying “you are not permitted to use the route,” despite it being marked exit.
Same with Donmar Warehouse that has an additional stairway that takes you to the street, but have seen this also blocked by an usher.
So the conventional exit can lead to an extra 5-10 minutes to get out, which is significant to me, as my train runs every 30 minutes and I hate just missing one.
So is this bylaw still in force? Can a attendant stop you from using an exit?
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Dec 21, 2019 20:05:23 GMT
Post by marob on Dec 21, 2019 20:05:23 GMT
I'd be interested to know that too as it is a bit of a nightmare to get out of The Bridge. For such a new theatre it's quite shocking how long it takes to get out of there, especially for something like the immersive shows. Was let out through the side exit once for one of the earliest productions there, but I've never seen it used since.
The theatres in Liverpool still have a similar thing printed in their programmes including a note that the City Council requires that all theatres must be able to be evacuated in 4 minutes. The Liverpool Empire has over 2200 seats on two levels, there's no way people are getting out of there in 4 minutes.
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Dec 21, 2019 20:47:58 GMT
Post by peggs on Dec 21, 2019 20:47:58 GMT
are there theatre things you don't know monkey?!
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Post by lynette on Dec 21, 2019 21:15:14 GMT
Menier v slow to exit with v narrow corridor. I think there is an emergency exit on the other side.
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Post by Someone in a tree on Dec 21, 2019 21:36:46 GMT
every exit is an entrance to somewhere else. Possibly a fire escape with Mavis the usherette having a crafty fag.
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Post by Phantom of London on Dec 21, 2019 22:17:52 GMT
Menier v slow to exit with v narrow corridor. I think there is an emergency exit on the other side. Interesting I was sitting next to Tom Stoppard in the Menier for his play Travesties and he used that emergency unchallenged. So now I use that emergency exit, if it is good enough for Tom then it is goo enough for me. if I got a train on, I am going to do it. |
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Dec 21, 2019 22:21:22 GMT
Post by Phantom of London on Dec 21, 2019 22:21:22 GMT
I questioned the Donmar earlier this year about it. The council approved them not permitting audiences to go that way. The reason is that they can't afford security to police the exit door and prevent anyone getting in. The rule is that provided the door can be used in an actual emergency - i.e. that it is unlocked and the passage to it is clear, then yes, they can prevent you using it provided they have council approval. Interesting bit of sleuth monkey. What is cool with what you found out and shared with us, is that the Donmar comes under Camden Council, I wonder if Westminster is different bylaws? Where most West End theatres fall under. |
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Dec 21, 2019 22:37:51 GMT
Post by edi on Dec 21, 2019 22:37:51 GMT
They blocked the side exits at Victoria Palace theatre, too, very annoyingly as it took ages for the stalls to clear off people.
Lots of these exits cannot be used to get in only to get out (cannot be opened from the outside) so I am not sure why it is a hardship to let people exit the theatre using these.
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Post by lynette on Dec 22, 2019 17:52:39 GMT
Menier v slow to exit with v narrow corridor. I think there is an emergency exit on the other side. Interesting I was sitting next to Tom Stoppard in the Menier for his play Travesties and he used that emergency unchallenged. So now I use that emergency exit, if it is good enough for Tom then it is goo enough for me. if I got a train on, I am going to do it. So you and Tom will come and bail me out when they carry me off? |
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Post by andrew on Dec 22, 2019 22:53:14 GMT
Now I read this, it occurs to me that I had noticed multiple places changing their exit policy, most notably the Donmar, because I always end up in the cheap seats near that exit, and it's a great salvation from the incredibly slow deathmarch down the central staircase. I always enjoy the weird feeling of piling out at the end of a play in some West End venue down a slightly under-decorated back staircase and out into a side alley, it's a shame that's maybe over.
And speaking of, if they take away the traditional safety curtain performance we'll miss out on some of the nicely decorated iron curtains that haven't been touched for decades on our older stages.
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Dec 22, 2019 23:40:41 GMT
Post by marob on Dec 22, 2019 23:40:41 GMT
I always enjoy the weird feeling of piling out at the end of a play in some West End venue down a slightly under-decorated back staircase and out into a side alley, it's a shame that's maybe over. I'll second that. I had a seat in the stalls for Joseph at the Palladium in the summer and noticed that while most people were shuffling towards the main exit, some were going out through a side exit near the stage. So I followed them instead into what was a sort of service tunnel through the building that puts you out through the Wall of Fame, which it turns out is in fact the Back Door of Fame. It was quite funny considering how 'posh' the place is on the way in. |
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Dec 22, 2019 23:57:05 GMT
Post by londonpostie on Dec 22, 2019 23:57:05 GMT
I've contemplated talking sandwiches and a flask to the Old Vic just to kill a little time trying to get out.
p.s. In my tiredness I misread this thread title as Brexits.
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Dec 23, 2019 0:21:47 GMT
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Dec 23, 2019 0:21:47 GMT
I’ve been going to the National for donkey’s years and only recently discovered the ‘secret’ exit at the back of the Lyttleton Circle that leads outside onto the roof near the staircase that goes directly down to the side passageway across from the BFI.
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Dec 23, 2019 0:30:36 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2019 0:30:36 GMT
The Edinburgh Playhouse is a nightmare to get out of. If you are any further forward than row N in the stalls, you will be stuck in there for ages. They have two fire doors on each side, one of which I have clocked as leading to the area where stage door is, and the other which goes into an alleyway. The ushers always block these doors. It is understandable why, as people may get lost in the maze of alleyways around the back, but it can be really annoying and can make a difference between catching a train and missing it.
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Dec 23, 2019 1:01:55 GMT
Post by marob on Dec 23, 2019 1:01:55 GMT
I’ve been going to the National for donkey’s years and only recently discovered the ‘secret’ exit at the back of the Lyttleton Circle that leads outside onto the roof near the staircase that goes directly down to the side passageway across from the BFI. I'm really impatient when leaving theatres (always seem to end up next to people who just sit and have a discussion at the end) and if I've been to the Olivier it's always nice to bypass the huge crowds waiting to traipse down through the building, and just go straight out through the garden terrace and down the stairs you mentioned. I suppose a lot of people don't realise that's an option, as I wouldn't if not for wondering about killing time during either the Young Chekhov or Angels in America multi-show days there. |
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Dec 23, 2019 13:17:40 GMT
Post by crowblack on Dec 23, 2019 13:17:40 GMT
The Liverpool Empire has over 2200 seats on two levels, there's no way people are getting out of there in 4 minutes. The Philharmonic also takes ages - it's a listed building so I suppose they are limited in what they can do but I find it quite scary tbh. And I'm surprised by the Bridge - for a new building the time it takes to get out is really surprising. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Dec 23, 2019 18:28:53 GMT
p.s. In my tiredness I misread this thread title as Brexits.
Yeap, this thread does mean leave means leave, but only if they let you. |
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Post by tonyloco on Dec 24, 2019 17:31:59 GMT
Look out, here comes a tonyloco anecdote:
Those regulations relating to British theatres used to be part of the Lord Chamberlain's theatre licensing requirements and they had to be printed in all theatre programmes. That brilliant comedy duo Flanders and Swann set them to music and first performed them as part of their stage revue Fresh Airs. I believe the song was recorded, so it is probably available on Spotify. It began:
"The public may leave at the end of each performance by all the exit doors..."
I believe these requirements are now the responsibility of the local licensing authority where each theatre is located.
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Jan 1, 2020 1:03:33 GMT
Post by CG on the loose on Jan 1, 2020 1:03:33 GMT
I questioned the Donmar earlier this year about it. The council approved them not permitting audiences to go that way. The reason is that they can't afford security to police the exit door and prevent anyone getting in. The rule is that provided the door can be used in an actual emergency - i.e. that it is unlocked and the passage to it is clear, then yes, they can prevent you using it provided they have council approval. (Late to the conversation...) And I can vouch for the fact it can be used in an emergency - I exited through it when we were evacuated mid-show a couple of years back. |
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