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Original poster

Theatre?

55 replies

Beeez · 03/08/2021 01:13

Supposed to be taking DC to London for a trip to the theatre later this week. When I booked it a couple of months ago I’d been vaccinated, numbers were dropping in the right direction and I assumed that some restrictions would still be in place ie masks, less capacity etc. Now I’m going right off the idea. Numbers now sky high with Delta variant, the place will be full capacity, there will be no ventilation, few wearing masks (judging by everywhere else), singing etc.

I’m double jabbed but not my DC (asthma sufferers). Surely the theatre is the worst place to pick up Covid?!

I know we need to get back to normal at some point but now it’s almost here I don’t think I’m ready. Argh! Help!!

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 03/08/2021 01:18

I would not be taking my asthmatic children to a crowded theatre right now. We've waited to get back to normal this long, I would wait a bit longer.

Kanaloa · 03/08/2021 01:19

Well I would go if I had the chance but I’ve worked all through every lockdown, so I’m exposed to lots of people daily. Are you sure there will be no ventilation? MIL took my dd to a show recently and said nobody could sit next to people from a different group and the theatre was only half full to allow for people being spaced out.

Kanaloa · 03/08/2021 01:20

Also, if your kids are at school surely they’re much more at risk there? But at the end of the day it’s your call, perhaps you can give the tickets to a friend or family member.

IndigoC · 03/08/2021 01:20

I wouldn’t go near the theatre at the moment, as much as I miss it. Before Covid I often seemed to pick up viruses there. It’s the density of people — hard not to breathe other people’s air.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 03/08/2021 06:28

I took DS to the theatre a couple of weeks ago and we didn't catch Covid.

Happy36 · 03/08/2021 06:30

Can you phone the theatre to ask about social distancing measures?

And why wouldn't there be masks? It's indoors, right?

milkysmum · 03/08/2021 06:33

Happy36- masks are no longer mandatory. I went out for a meal at the weekend and walked in in a mask- not one other person ( staff or diner ) in a busy chain pub/ restaurant has a mask on.

onthinice · 03/08/2021 06:40

I took my DD to the theatre last weekend. Tickets had been booked for over a year so it was long awaited. No social distancing, theatre at full capacity. Most people wearing masks, no food or drink sold and no food allowed in the theatre (could bring your own drink), so most people keeping masks on at all times. When I first realised there'd be no social distancing I did weigh up in my mind if we should still go, but I decided that real life has to resume at some point, if not now then when. We really enjoyed the show and were not concerned about our safety. It's a personal decision though and neither myself or DD have any health conditions.

Snailhaterz · 03/08/2021 07:45

Different theatres are taking different approaches, so please check with the one you're going to. All have done risk assessments and improved measures such as ventilation and cleaning. If you decide not to go many of them are being pretty good about exchanges or refunds.

Londonmummy00 · 03/08/2021 08:05

I took my 5 year old child to see the tiger who came to tea in the west end 2 weeks ago there was NO social distancing at all, it was back to normal theatre setting, we were all packed in together like it usually is. I could count on my one hand people who had on a mask on- one mum in front of me (husband and children no mask) and grandparents 2 rows behind. We didn't get Covid.
We are going back to the west end tomorrow to watch the Lion King. They have emailed saying you will need to show proof of double vaccination or a negative cover test before arrival. Children must have no cover symptoms (confirmed verbally by parent)

Londonmummy00 · 03/08/2021 08:06

*covid test, sorry

Londonmummy00 · 03/08/2021 08:09

OP I meant to add that my child also has asthma and has an almost constant cough it seems. I will put my mask on and we will get on with life and make the most of life while theatres and the like are open. There are no guarantees that such places won't be in a form of lockdown later on in the year. We will make the most of it right now. My children need to LIVE. Schools have NOT been Covid secure yet we've all managed in the past 18 months.

MrsSkylerWhite · 03/08/2021 08:10

I’d wait a bit longer. News last night said infections appear to be plateauing with no big spike after so called freedom day. Maybe half-term?
Like you, keen to get on with life but recently cancelled a few days in London for the same reason, asthmatic dc. Had really been looking forward to it but decided just not sensible then with cases on the rise, as they were a couple of weeks ago.

Darbs76 · 03/08/2021 08:30

I wouldn’t go. We are all recovering from Covid and it’s been rough. My super fit 17yr old son struggled for a few days even. I’m still bad 20 days later and wondering if I’ll ever shake this horrible virus off. Dd (13) we wouldn’t have known she had it if we didn’t test her. I’m double jabbed too

I went to a local theatre a month ago and we all wore masks as was the rules then. I didn’t feel too comfortable as people were coughing. Numbers are worse noe

Happy36 · 03/08/2021 08:30

milkysmum Thanks, I live abroad, didn't realise. Thought masks were obligatory indoors (did they used to be?)

Here you need vaccination or negative PCR for the cinema, which is ventilated, masks mandatory for all, and I think at 40% max. capacity, not sitting with anyone not in your group.

ClaudiaMay · 03/08/2021 08:38

Not any more @Happy36... Boris trusts us to make personal choices when it comes to mask wearing Confused

Smartiepants79 · 03/08/2021 08:41

Went to the palladium last week. It was amazing!!!!
I can’t speak for anyone else there but none of our group caught COVID whilst there. And even if we had there’s no way I could have said it was the theatre and not the train we used or cafe we ate in or the shops we visited.
I can’t say I share your concerns and if you’re not comfortable going now I can’t see you being comfortable to go at all for a considerable length of time. It not a level of anxiety I relate to at all.
I will say that the theatre was not full, there was no singing and about 90% of the adults there were wearing masks. The theatre was heavily encouraging it. Also most people there would have been tested before attending as that was what was requested. Also a large proportion would have been vaccinated.
Personally, go and enjoy!!

eurochick · 03/08/2021 08:42

@Happy36 they were mandatory in many locations until 19 July so it is a fairly recent change.

Happy36 · 03/08/2021 08:56

@eurochick and @claudiamay Thanks. (And, yikes!)

ILookAtTheFloor · 03/08/2021 10:21

I went to two back to back theatre performances on 25th July, I didn't catch covid. Full House both times. I didn't wear a mask.

ActonSquirrel · 03/08/2021 10:22

I went with 3 friends to a show in London 3 weeks ago. Rammed theatre no SD.

None of us got covid

HairyFloppins · 03/08/2021 11:01

We are going to see Mary Poppins soon and I'm glad reading those who haven't got covid going to the theatre as it has crossed my mind as there is no social distancing anymore. Apparently we have to show proof of vaccine or negative lateral flow.

Looking forward to it.

Smartiepants79 · 03/08/2021 11:16

No one can guarantee you won’t catch COVID from the theatre. There’s a small risk you might.
There’s also a small risk of catching it in lots of other places.
All you can do is do the things you can do to reduce the likelihood. Wear a mask, wash hands frequently, be vaccinated if possible etc…
There’s also a small risk of catching all sorts of other things, or getting run over, or falling down some steps…….

kensington09 · 03/08/2021 16:27

I went to the theatre this week, there was no distancing, all seats full, hardly anyone wearing masks, doors were closed so no ventilation. I developed symptoms the next day & have since tested positive. Wish I hadn't gone

CarlaH · 03/08/2021 16:30

@kensington09

I went to the theatre this week, there was no distancing, all seats full, hardly anyone wearing masks, doors were closed so no ventilation. I developed symptoms the next day & have since tested positive. Wish I hadn't gone
Probably too soon if symptoms came the next day. You might have given it to other people though.

Sorry to hear that you have it though.