Your Safety

Our building is spacious and designed for large crowds, but we will be using it in new ways to make sure your visit is safe and comfortable.

We have strictly limited the number of people we can welcome into the theatre which ensures you can keep your distance from other households and remain safe. We are reducing the need for queueing and will make sure that any queues are socially distanced.

We clean and sanitise all areas of our buildings and facilities thoroughly before and after every performance or event. All cleaning regimes follow the latest government Covid-secure guidance.

Before you come

If you or anyone in your household has any Covid-19 symptoms (high temperature, new persistent cough, loss of taste or smell) or have been advised to isolate, then don't attend in person.
Let us know when you book if you have any access requirements. We'll make sure that those with disabilities have seating appropriate for their needs. Please note, there is currently no step-free access to the circle level. Public lifts won’t be in operation during your visit.
Pre-order drinks when you book tickets. You can collect these from a designated, safe area when you arrive then take them straight into the auditorium with you.
Our cloakroom is closed, for the safety of both visitors and staff. You need to keep coats and personal belongings with you so please only bring a small bag if you can.

Arriving

Our building opens one hour before the performance time. Only those with tickets for the performance can come into the building. Please be on time. For safety reasons we can't admit latecomers, so you won't be able to enter the auditorium once the show has begun.

Enter through the Swan Theatre end of the building. There are steps and wooden doors from Waterside, or level access just around the corner on the end of the building.

Tickets

You will need to display your ticket on your phone screen or show us a print out as you enter the building, so that we can check while maintaining distance between us.

We will have staff available to help solve any ticket or booking issues you might have, but you can't buy tickets in person at the event.

Wear a face covering

You will need to bring a face covering with you and wear it over your mouth and nose throughout your visit, unless you are exempt. We recognise sunflower lanyards. We won’t have any face coverings available for you, so please don’t forget. Our staff will all be wearing face coverings, in line with government guidance and to keep you safe.

Hand sanitising

We will ask you to sanitise your hands on arrival. There are hand sanitiser stations in prominent, convenient positions throughout our building.

There are plenty of toilets available in the colonnade and foyer, all with hot water, soap and paper towels or hand dryers.

One way system

There is a one-way route around our building, to help everyone maintain social distance, so please follow all signs.

You can browse and buy from a collection of items from our shop pre-show. We will make sure there is plenty of space for safe distancing.

Temperature checks

We will check your temperature using a handheld device. You will be given chance to rest and be tested again if you do have a high temperature. A second high test will mean that you aren't able to enter the event.

Bags and coats

You need to keep coats, bags and personal belongings with you as the cloakroom won't be open, so please only bring a small bag. A member of staff will carry out a contactless bag check, asking you to show the contents clearly. They might ask you to remove items from your bag to assist with this.

Collect pre-ordered drinks

You can collect any drinks you pre-ordered from the Scott Bar on the way to your seat. It might not be possible to order drinks on the night. Please wait to enjoy your drink until you are seated in the auditorium.

Socially-distanced seating

To ensure that your seat - and your journey to your seat - are safe, we aren't offering the option to select your own seat in advance, although you can select an area of the theatre. Our Front of House team will find suitable seats for everyone with a clear view of the stage.

If you need to leave your seat during the performance, we will direct you out. We will try to readmit you but, may not be able to, and it's unlikely to be to your original seat.

After the performance

The public areas and foyers will be closed post-show. You will be directed out gradually using several exits, to ensure that everyone remains safely distanced. We will be keen to know what we have got right and what we could improve. There won’t be any opportunity to meet the actors after the show at Stage Door.

ON STAGE AND BACKSTAGE

All our events and performances have been carefully planned to ensure we can observe social distancing guidelines at all times on stage and backstage, which includes training staff and performers to ensure they know how to keep themselves and others safe.

Many of our staff teams are working in 'bubbles' to ensure as much as possible we don't have to cancel any events if anyone falls ill.

IN AN EMERGENCY

We will do all that we can to ensure that you are safe and that your enjoyment of the experience is not interrupted. In the event of an emergency, we will ensure we avoid clustering at exits and outside our buildings and that distancing is maintained as much as possible.

Take at a look at our booking for online and in person during the pandemic FAQs if you still have questions about the events.