AIBU to ask you if you've been to a London West End theatre...and if people were wearing masks?

[Glassyellowbottle]

Taking DD to see Six at the weekend (Vaudeville Theatre) but understand it's not a theatre that mandates masks.

So, if you've been to the West End theatre lately, what was the mask wearing like?

I went last Friday - pretty much everyone was wearing masks walking around the theatre, but not when seated - other theatre visits from before the latest "masks in enclosed spaces" have been much the same, althougher probably less masking walking about.

The only exception (from about ten theatres since September) was Hamprtead theatre; they were v tight on mask wearing, even when seated.

I really don't understand why they aren't making people wear masks when seated. This is when you are in contact with others for longer periods, rather than fleetingly as you pass them in the foyer etc.

I realise the theatres want the audience to have great experience and know that lots of people don't want to wear masks, of course, before everyone piles on...

Went a couple of weeks ago. Hardly anyone was wearing masks which I was pleased about as I didn’t want to wear one either during the performance.

@Glassyellowbottle

I really don't understand why they aren't making people wear masks when seated. This is when you are in contact with others for longer periods, rather than fleetingly as you pass them in the foyer etc.

I realise the theatres want the audience to have great experience and know that lots of people don't want to wear masks, of course, before everyone piles on...

When you're seated, you're only at risk to/from the dozen or so people close to you. When you're moving about you're potentially in contact with loads. The virus can't travel through the air to meet those in the front row if you're at the back.

Plus the commercial aspect that (some) people are less likely to go if masks are compulsory and who's going to enforce it anyway.

I'm not saying it's right, but that's the reasoning. All measures are and always were about reducing/slowing the spread, bot eliminating it.

@Glassyellowbottle I went to The Comedy Club as well about a month ago and Dh and I were the only ones wearing masks. So much so that the improv troupe decided to tease us about it:)

It's hard. I can see that venues feel they will lose business with masks. But now I am wary about going over Xmas now Omicron is here.

Three times in the last few months. Most recently mid November. No, no-one was wearing masks.

They’ll check your covid pass, ask you to wear a mask but people do take them off during the show. I saw Six before it moved and took mine off - we were in a box and far enough away. Vaudeville is a smaller theatre so I’d wear a mask there.

Sadly, no boxes available, I checked

@Mybalconyiscracking

If you are concerned about catching COVID, don’t go to the theatre, it’s not hard!

Or go to the theatre and expect people to respect the situation and hand sanatise/put on a mask. It's not hard!

@Tal45

Agreed.

At Come From Away the weekend before last I reckon about a third of the audience were wearing masks.

Dd works in a West End theatre and reckons its about a third or so of adults.

Not West End, but went to see Six in Bath and the theatre asked for mask wearing- I would say round 95% of people complied. We didn't need to show any covid passes though.

Brilliant show- you're in for a treat!

@perenniallymessy

Not West End, but went to see Six in Bath and the theatre asked for mask wearing- I would say round 95% of people complied. We didn't need to show any covid passes though.

Brilliant show- you're in for a treat!

Yes, but different theatres have different mandates, unfortunately. London Vaudeville is part of a theatre group that don't mandate masks.

I'm more likely to not go, than go at this point

Vaudeville Theatres is Nimax. Nimax are requesting audience members aged 11 and above to wear facemasks the same as ATG are. To my knowledge the only theatres absolutely mandating it in the West End are Picadilly in the Can can seats for Moulin Rouge and Cabaret in the stalls due to the nature of the shows. Ds went to a Nimax theatre back in the summer and I think lots wore masks but things have changed since.

I did notice a difference between being in London on the Friday (theatre/tube/train etc) and on the Saturday after the news about Omicron had hit.

I heard from several people attending Six at Vaudeville that yes, they are wearing masks to and fro the seats, but taking them off in their seats.

I don't know - I'm just nervous. I realise I could get it anywhere, but it's my DD I worry about - I don't want to mess up Xmas, i guess. There's something unique about a theatre which houses so many people, without ventilation.

A lot of the theatres have had expensive ventilation systems put in. I can't say whether Vaudeville has though, I've only heard the controversy over disabled access.

Some theatres are being stricter than others

If you’re very anxious then you’re probably best not going

I went a few weeks ago and no masks but they you did have to prove you were vaccinated before going in. It may have changed now though as masks are now compulsory in certain places again.

We went a couple of weeks ago. No one wore a mask.

OP, enjoy SIX if you decide to go. On the plus side only 80mins long and no interval. Understand a hard decision to weigh up what's best for your family/situation. For me I have been to local/big theatre half a dozen times since summer. It is what I missed most through lockdown and a big lift for my mental health. X

I saw Six about a month ago. Only a few scattered masks, though it wasn’t compulsory. More people wore them while moving around, but still less than half. If mask wearing was a critical to my health (or I had anxieties) I probably wouldn’t go to be honest. The nature of theatres is that it’s very difficult to enforce once the show has started and the theatre might find it not worth risking their staff being abused by asking, or wanting to pressure those exempt. Adding to that, even with mask compliance there is not a guarantee that it is worn or fits properly. People will also remove masks to have a drink during the production.

Six is incredible though!

I'm shocked to read how few people are wearing masks at theatres there. I live in the US and have been lucky enough to go to a few shows post pandemic. Masks are mandatory. You won't be allowed in without one, and that's whether it's a venue that requires proof of vaccination or not.
Even if they weren't mandatory, why wouldn't you wear one? It's not a hardship while you're sitting still in your seat for a couple of hours!

@LucySullivanIsGettingMarried

We went a couple of weeks ago. No one wore a mask.

I find that truly shocking!

I’ve been to 5 productions in the last month and it depends very much on the theatre and also on the staff working on the night. I would say between 50 and 90 per cent depending on above.