Don Q Fan Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 I'm just glad that they are not , from the sound of, it those awful vacuum suction/propelltion loos like in The Peacock. I hate anything requiring touching yuck!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridiem Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 Funny how our discussions sometimes end up plumbing the depths. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scheherezade Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 My Wagner marathon was at the top of the house and tickets were checked at the ground floor entrance to the lifts after every interval. Essentially, the checks seem to be carried out wherever the public areas give way to access to the auditorium but bags are not checked anywhere, with no contingency plans currently in place to tighten up this procedure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninamargaret Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 7 hours ago, Scheherezade said: My Wagner marathon was at the top of the house and tickets were checked at the ground floor entrance to the lifts after every interval. Essentially, the checks seem to be carried out wherever the public areas give way to access to the auditorium but bags are not checked anywhere, with no contingency plans currently in place to tighten up this procedure. Yesterday, at my Ring marathon, I was asked to.show my ticket when I came in by the 'old' Bow street entrance and again when I went to get into the lift to take me up to the PH bar. May be they've got a bit more sorted out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 21 hours ago, Sophoife said: Um, excuse my iggerance, please, but what is a self flushing loo? Do I get sucked down the bend and deposited, all clean and fresh, back at the door of the theatre? Actually, that’s not so far off the truth since, with these loos, you don’t have to wave your hand at the sensor. Instead, it decides when to flush - and woe betide you if you are in there too long 😀 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balletfanp Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 It can be quite startling the first time you use them and are unprepared.... but on the whole I’m all for them! Unlike the vacuum suction loos (they don’t use water so are more eco-friendly) that someone mentioned above - I experienced them some time ago in Kings College London, and more recently in a service station, of all places. From the start they go all out to terrify plastered with instructions such as “WARNING - DO NOT FLUSH WITH LID OPEN!” which becomes clear when you press flush and it makes a deafening sound like Concorde in its death throes - I’m quite sure there is a risk of being sucked away never to be seen again should you be foolhardy enough to ignore the lid warning (or, in my case, more likely to simply forget!). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebird Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 7 hours ago, capybara said: Actually, that’s not so far off the truth since, with these loos, you don’t have to wave your hand at the sensor. Instead, it decides when to flush - and woe betide you if you are in there too long 😀 This discussion of the loos hasn’t yet touched upon the extremely badly designed loo paper dispensers. If there isn’t a bit of paper to pull down from the bottom of the dispenser, it’s incredibly hard to get at the toilet roll. I’ve noticed that they’ve taken to leaving the top of the dispenser unlocked so that it’s possible to get at the spare roll on the top of the pile. Definitely not very user friendly!, 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Bluebird, that is one of my pet hates. There is nothing more annoying that finding that there is not even a peep of paper to get hold of. Who designs these things? Some sadist? 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 47 minutes ago, Bluebird said: This discussion of the loos hasn’t yet touched upon the extremely badly designed loo paper dispensers. If there isn’t a bit of paper to pull down from the bottom of the dispenser, it’s incredibly hard to get at the toilet roll. I’ve noticed that they’ve taken to leaving the top of the dispenser unlocked so that it’s possible to get at the spare roll on the top of the pile. Definitely not very user friendly!, .......... and definitely unhygienic. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 I had to go and try these loos after reading all this..and entirely agree with the points above- just poor design. But, they were clean and maintained and there are a lot of them. Still better than most theatres... It was disconcerting to find the bench seating in the amphi bar already full with a big party encamped with bags etc when we came out of the performance (Solomon) in the interval this evening. I was hoping this wasn't going to happen. It does seem a bit unfair on people who have bought tickets. Downstairs on the ground floor in 'Big Benugos' was an absolute orgy of picnicking on M&S snacks and people even had their own bottles of wine ( no wonder with the ROH prices now) so perhaps ROH are not selling as many sandwiches as they had hoped. For some reason the atmosphere was far from festive and in fact a bit depressing. Lack of bag checks is also having the effect that people are bringing enormous amounts of stuff into the auditorium- a bit odd after all the fuss so recently about not being allowed to bring anything at all! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sim Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 It looks like they are going to have to re-think their entire strategy on getting new audiences in. I hereby volunteer to be an incredibly highly-paid consultant to help them do this. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 37 minutes ago, Mary said: I had to go and try these loos after reading all this..and entirely agree with the points above- just poor design. But, they were clean and maintained and there are a lot of them. Still better than most theatres... Have I moaned about the total lack of plugs for the washbasins? I know it's trendy and all, but occasionally you do want to be able to put a plug in a washbasin and run some water into it. Your only option here, it seems, is to block the drainage slot with towels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 11 hours ago, Mary said: Downstairs on the ground floor in 'Big Benugos' was an absolute orgy of picnicking on M&S snacks and people even had their own bottles of wine ( no wonder with the ROH prices now) so perhaps ROH are not selling as many sandwiches as they had hoped. For some reason the atmosphere was far from festive and in fact a bit depressing. Not having visited the "new" ROH yet, I am utterly baffled by this. How on earth are people being allowed to bring their own food and drinks into a cafe? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 1 hour ago, Fonty said: Not having visited the "new" ROH yet, I am utterly baffled by this. How on earth are people being allowed to bring their own food and drinks into a cafe? Well noone seems to be stopping them at the moment.....It isn't really a cafe, it's actually- had almost forgotten- the new foyer of the Opera House. The space downstairs has a cafe bar selling drinks and snacks, but people are able to come in and sit there any time, without having to buy anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonty Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 (edited) Well, it seems the Open Up campaign has succeeded in providing a free picnic area for anybody who happens to be passing. How nice of the ROH to do that, very thoughtful of them. Presumably people can access the toilets as well? Useful to know where free public toilets can be located while you are out and about. I often meet people in the various places at the South Bank Both the Festival Hall and the National Theatre are very convenient for after work get togethers. Occasionally, I have very discreetly eaten my own sandwich. But I don't think I have never seen anybody openly drinking their own alcohol. Edited October 12, 2018 by Fonty 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninamargaret Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I think anyone could have told the ROH that it would just become a picnic area, although I must admit I haven't seen such blatant misuse at the National. Considering there are strict restrictions on eating food purchased elsewhere printed in the programme it seems as though it's another example of 'let's encourage newcomers and penalise our regular audience'. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebird Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 (edited) 13 hours ago, alison said: Have I moaned about the total lack of plugs for the washbasins? I know it's trendy and all, but occasionally you do want to be able to put a plug in a washbasin and run some water into it. Your only option here, it seems, is to block the drainage slot with towels! A friend who, years ago, used to spend a lot of time in Eastern Europe, once told me that she always made sure to have a 50 pence piece with her as it served very well as a plug in the many plug less basins there. Edited to add that I think it’s possible our current 50p coins are marginally smaller than they were then. Still might work though! Edited October 12, 2018 by Bluebird Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi'smom Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 Can anyone advise of the bag situation in the cloakroom? I know this is stretching the concept of 'bag' a little but my dd is travelling to London this weekend and cannot get to where she is staying before the evening performance of Mayerling. We are wondering what to do with her small suitcase? I don't want her wandering around CG either before or especially after the performance to find a luggage storage service as this is her first time completely independently in London. Also is there still concierge service who could pre book her a taxi? TIA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mallinson Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 3 minutes ago, mimi'smom said: Can anyone advise of the bag situation in the cloakroom? The blurb on the ROH Attending a Performance page is almost certainly out of date. I would phone. The box office number is 020 7304 4000 - they may be able to tell you or put you through to someone who can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 12 minutes ago, mimi'smom said: Can anyone advise of the bag situation in the cloakroom? I know this is stretching the concept of 'bag' a little but my dd is travelling to London this weekend and cannot get to where she is staying before the evening performance of Mayerling. We are wondering what to do with her small suitcase? I don't want her wandering around CG either before or especially after the performance to find a luggage storage service as this is her first time completely independently in London. Also is there still concierge service who could pre book her a taxi? TIA! Ringing is probably a good idea. What I have done in this situation is not take a suitcase but divide my things between 2 moderate sized bags and leave one in the cloakroom. It works well, assuming it's just a short trip....The amphi cloakroom last night was not being much used- perhaps many don't yet realise it's there yet- so heading straight there rather than to the downstairs one might also be a good idea, and asking nicely I am sure they will help a young person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I have received the following via e-mail from a friend: " Last night was my first visit since the first Ring cycle, but yesterday was chaos downstairs with the doors to the stalls and stalls circle still closed at 7.20. Only one lift up to the amphi was working and the lights in the ladies on the stairs leading to the lower slips weren't working. There were just a couple near the basins. The cubicles were in darkness. The first interval was at about 8.30 and the amphi bar was already pretty full when the audience arrived. Still no bag checks. I arrive at ROH via a bus across Waterloo Bridge and pass the Aldwych. Duchess and Novello Theatres. All have lengthy queues outside as bags are checked. I don't think the terrorist threat has gone away." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colman Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 Why is everyone so worried about bag checks? I'd assume that the ROH have done appropriate risk analysis and decided they can manage the risks in other ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 In answer to Minismom I've e often just left my wheely case and back pack in the cloakroom with my coat at the ROH with no problems so far.....as have often been in the same situation having to go straight to the ROH on arrival in London However although I,ve been to one event since open up I only had my handbag with me then so didn't need to cloakroom. I am assuming there is still a largish cloakroom downstairs as well as the Amphi one but not sure. Ive never been with a really big case before ( two week holiday size etc) but my wheely is a larger than usual one ( American) and it's never so far been objected to. As it seems that just at present there seems to be very little bags checks going on anyway at the ROH I'm sure your DD will be okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninamargaret Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 The cloakroom is now on the ground floor, where it used to be, so should be no problem. As far as taxis are concerned, does your daughter know about the My Taxi app for her phone? Very useful - it shows your location and you can get a taxi pretty quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 3 hours ago, Bluebird said: Edited to add that I think it’s possible our current 50p coins are marginally smaller than they were then. Still might work though! But not in the drainage slots downstairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizbie1 Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I wonder whether the ROH's new-found laxness about people bringing their own food and drink is due to the negative press reaction that ENO have had about issuing a blanket ban on the practice. ROH wouldn't want to spoil the "Open Up" messaging by then telling people they're only welcome if they buy from the clearly overpriced in-house places: the PR people really wouldn't be happy! Having sneaked in the odd furtive sandwich myself over the years (and never been challenged) I can see both sides, but there is a balance to be struck for patrons: personally speaking, my boundary is that I won't occupy a table if I haven't bought anything. If those bringing food in aren't even attending a performance, that's another matter altogether. The absence of bag checks worries me. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmie Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 6 minutes ago, Lizbie1 said: ...personally speaking, my boundary is that I won't occupy a table if I haven't bought anything... That's my rule as well Lizbie. I extend it by not buying anything if I can't get a table . I usually get some sandwiches and a cuppa before a performance and I'll be interested to see how busy it is tomorrow, first proper visit since open-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 Good idea. I was at the Festival Hall the other day (notice deliberate inclusion of the definite article) and wandered around for a good 5 minutes before I could get somewhere to sit. My hotpot was less than hot by then. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelopesimpson Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I think this strategy re food and drink is going to misfire horribly. I have brought in sandwiches and eaten them discreetly up on the terrace but have usually bought a coffee or drink. At Manon this year a friend and I were attempting to balance our drinks and crisps on a table in the Hall but were elbowed off by a couple who proceed to unwrap three tupperware boxes, each containing salads and a large piece of extremely stinky Gorgonzola. They washed this down by taking alternate swigs from a large bottle of elderflower they'd brought in. Frankly, I think this is taking the mickey and I have no problem objecting. If that makes me 'elitist,' then bring it on. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penelopesimpson Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 3 hours ago, Colman said: Why is everyone so worried about bag checks? I'd assume that the ROH have done appropriate risk analysis and decided they can manage the risks in other ways. The only way would be through practicing positive discrimination which the Open-up Project drives a coach and horses through. Even at times of heightened security, ROH has never been particularly stringent with its checks but I felt comforted to see them in place and would prefer they were re-instated. I remember attending Carmen the night after the Paris atrocity and people were very nervous. It was a lousy production (Kaufmann didn't show) and I found myself planning how I would escape if gun-men burst in and I left at the interval. I have always presumed that the venue was practicing positive discrimination via CCTV, i.e. not that many patrons carrying rucksacks and all the other parameters most usually associated with terrorist attacks. The open up project surely makes the venue much more vulnerable, yet they have chosen to lessen security. A curious decision. With nobody now having any idea who is in the building and, crucially, taken away the right to challenge admission, ROH are surely playing a dangerous game. In their desire to be seen as inclusive and right-on, I wonder if they have remembered that they have a duty of care to patrons? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninamargaret Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I suppose they might have extremely sophisticated CCTV, but I've seen no evidence of it and I doubt that it would be monitored enough to cope with full houses and people wandering in off the street. There aren't even any Security personnel - the National has these near the entrances, so you get the feeling someone is keeping an eye on things. No complaint about their staff, they are friendly and pleasant, but still not entirely happy about security. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capybara Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I had a conversation with an usher about all the imported food and drink and she mentioned that it was obvious from bag checks that people had always been bringing substantial picnics in with them. There used to be a notice (on the cast sheets?) to the effect that "only food and drink purchased on the premises may be consumed here" but that has always been flouted. Before there was a charge for plastic bags and M&S was open nearby, there were literally dozens of bright green bags to be seen on tables on rehearsal days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 Some people were having bags checked this evening - but others weren't, me for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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