Before the Performance
At the London Coliseum
Food and Drink
In the Auditorium
 

Before the Performance
Everybody gets more out of an opera 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 pupils:

  • You will find a wealth of information integrated within this site! Each production page in the ‘See What’s On’ section offers not only a concise synopsis and excerpts of music, but also valuable video insights from the people behind the scenes, recommended related productions, and press reviews. 

• Our learning pathway is specifically designed to signpost the most relevant information currently available on the site for schools and teachers. Updated regularly, it will highlight upcoming events, new resources and even external links.

• You can access photos, videos, podcasts, music and more via our online Knowledge Bank <internal link to Knowledge Bank>, where you can also access the ENO Glossary <internal link to glossary> for more specific information.

• Encourage your students to visit our website and browse other opera sites themselves.

• Our Enjoy Opera pre-performance workshops offer students a practical introduction to the opera. To find out more about workshops and our Enjoy Opera discount tickets, visit or see our Enjoy Opera brochure. 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: the auditorium lights go out; patrons stay in their seats until the interval; the audience remains quiet throughout the performance except when applauding. 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.

• Please make sure that you have sufficient staff to manage your pupils while at the London Coliseum. We recommend a ratio of between one to seven and one to 10, depending on the age and experience of the group.

• Please notify the Box Office well in advance of any pupils who may have mobility problems or require a private area to attend to ongoing medical issues.
 

At the London Coliseum
• When you arrive at the London Coliseum, we suggest that you arrange with your pupils to meet up at the Box Office in the Main Foyer, should they get separated from the main party or get lost within the building. The uniformed attendants situated throughout the Front of House (FoH) will assist or direct lost persons there.
 
• On each level there are FoH attendants; they will be able to answer any questions, show you the way to your seats, and direct you to the toilets and bars, or offer any additional assistance.
 
• Operas often finish very late; don’t forget this when planning transport following an evening’s performance. 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 should have eaten in advance of the performance. If your pupils do leave at the interval to get food, please remind them that they need to be back in time for the start of the next act; otherwise, like other latecomers, they will not be able to return to their seats.
 
   Ice creams can be pre-ordered at the special school party price of £2 per tub (price at November 2009) or £2.50 on the day. This will save queuing, and ice creams will be brought to your seats at the interval. To order ice creams in advance, call the Duty Manager's office on 020 7845 2440 / 2. While here, you can also pre-order soft drinks at the Bars on all levels, and water is always available.

 
In the Auditorium
Noisy groups during performances can distract both the performers and other members of the audience. Here are a few reminders to help avoid this occurring, plus other points to aid your group’s enjoyment of the performance and your visit to the London Coliseum:
 
• Turn off mobile phones (including texting functions), pagers and digital watches with alarms.
 
• Noise, talking and fidgeting can be very distracting to other members of the audience.
 
• If groups are unacceptably noisy, they will first be warned and then, if necessary, asked to leave by FoH staff.
 
• Food and drink (other than water) are not allowed inside the auditorium. Sweets are OK, but sweet wrappings are noisy: unwrap them quietly or before the performance – or, best of all, save them for the interval. Crisps are banned!
 
• Remind groups to visit the toilets before the performance and during the intervals. Pupils should not leave the auditorium during a performance unless absolutely necessary and, like other members of the audience, will not be allowed back to their seat and will have to stand at the back.
 
• There are male and female toilets at all levels except the ground level, which has accommodation for disabled persons only.
 
• Any bags, coats, lunch boxes etc. brought into the London Coliseum must remain with you at all times. Do not leave any items unattended, as they may well cause a security situation resulting in the item(s) having to be removed from the public areas.
 
• There are numerous floor levels and stairways in the London Coliseum and consequently there is potential for trips and falls. Please wear sensible footwear for your visit and, once here, always use the handrails provided and look where you are treading. This is particularly important when there is subdued lighting in the auditorium.
 
• In the event of an accident, contact the nearest FoH Attendant, who will arrange for a first aider to deal with the issue. Please co-operate with the first aider when obtaining details for the ENO Accident Report.
 
• ENO retains the right to exclude any individuals or parties who may be under the influence of alcohol.
 
• Evening performances and winter matinees often mean that your group will be leaving the building in the dark. Be aware that your party will be exiting onto a busy road and crowded streets while their vision is still adjusting to the change in lighting.
 
 
Should you experience any problems 
Please do not hesitate to talk to a member of the FoH staff, if you have a problem or query during your visit; they will do their best to help. 
 
 
Fire Evacuation
In the event of having to evacuate the building or any other emergency, you will be directed by either the Duty House Manager or Stage Manager, who will manage the process.
 
• Should the emergency occur prior to a performance or during an interval, you will hear an announcement via the Public Address system.
 
• Should the emergency occur during a performance, the performance will stop, the house lights will be brought up and the Duty House Manager will walk on stage and make an announcement.
 
• Depending on the situation, you will be asked either to leave the theatre by your nearest exit as directed by the FoH attendants or to remain seated inside the auditorium and await further instructions.

Orientation
St Martin’s Lane Front of House main entrance and exit
Mays Court  Side exits
Brydges Place   Side exits

Bedfordbury  Back of theatre (staff entrance only)

We hope that you enjoy your visit.