education bringing school
education bringing school
Enjoying your visit
Contact us
ENO Baylis,
London Coliseum
St. Martins Lane
London WC2N 4ES

email: baylis@eno.org
tel. + 44 (0)20 7632 8484
fax +44 (0)20 7845 9443

Getting here - how to find us
Before the performance
Your students will get more out of a performance if they have an understanding of the plot, characters, dramatic themes and music in advance. We offer various ways to help you prepare your students:

  • Lively introductions and background information on productions in ENO's current repertoire are available in advance on this site. To support your visit, click on to resources for teachers for a variety of classroom activities and opera packs for accessible introductions to our operas. Click on the what's on section to find casting and production information and details of related events. Encourage your students to visit our website and browse other opera sites themselves.

  • Pre-performance workshops and talks for schools are linked to the operas in the Enjoy Opera scheme. To receive advance information about our programme for schools, join our Schools and Teachers mailing list

  • Remind students in advance about the conventions of attending an opera or theatre performance. ENO Baylis publishes a cartoon sheet to help you brief students. Please remember that latecomers will not be admitted into the auditorium once the performance has started.

  • Ensure you have sufficient staff to manage your students in the auditorium. We recommend a ratio of between one to seven and one to ten, depending on the age and experience of the group.
At the London Coliseum
  • Plan to arrive around 20 minutes before the start of an opera performance, particularly if you are using the London Coliseum as a meeting point - ENO's foyers can be very crowded. Hand out tickets to students and staff before you enter the auditorium. Accompanying adults and staff members should sit with groups of students.

  • The Front of House staff will be expecting your party. They will be able to answer any questions, show you the way to your seats, and show you the location of toilets and bars.

  • Operas often finish very late. Don't forget this when planning transport. Timings are available on our website.
Food and Drink
  • Intervals at ENO are usually just 20 minutes long (with a warning bell after 15) so there is not much time to get something to eat. We suggest that groups eat before the performance.

  • Food and drink is available to buy at the London Coliseum but groups can bring their own drinks and snacks to consume in the Front of House areas. Free water is always available at the bars. Please note that groups will not be permitted to bring in fast food for consumption on the premises, and please no chewing gum!
In the auditorium
Noisy groups during performances can distract both performers and other audience members. A few reminders for students to ensure that both your group and other audience members can enjoy the performance:

  • Turn off mobile phones and digital watches with alarms.

  • Noise, talking and fidgeting can be very distracting to other members of the audience.

  • Food and drink (other than water) are not allowed in the auditorium. Cough sweets are OK but wrappings are noisy. Unwrap them before the performance if you can.

  • Remind groups to visit toilets before the performance and during intervals. Students should not leave the theatre during the performance unless absolutely necessary because, like other members of the audience, they will not be allowed back to their seats and will have to stand at the back.

  • If groups are unacceptably noisy, they will first be warned and then, if necessary, asked to leave by Front of House staff.
We hope you enjoy your visit.