Security

On Wednesday night Kinky Boots had bag searches with an extra table out for bigger bags (I had an overnight bag with me) but had no restrictions on taking them in.

On Wednesday the NT and Southbank Centrr were open as usual.

Back home the WMC had nothing additional inside on Tuesday but I imagine that may have altered by now with the coming Champions League final in Cardiff security was being upped next week anyway -outside looks a bit scary already with huge barriers and barricades and we've already been told we need photo ID to even get near the building once it all starts.
(The WMC is both an "iconic" building and next to the Aseblu parliament building too, so security there is not so much theatre related as location related)

Or it could be people didn't want wanna see Modern Millie

NT changes - essentially only one entrance and expect bag searches: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/blog/enhanced-security-national-theatre

Got an email from BFI Southbank saying something similar - only two entrances open and the others now fire exits only.

Generally the prohibitions on what's allowed/not allowed come down to the venue owner/operator for food/drink, and the producer/promoter for the filming/photos, hence the difference between theatre and concerts.


Traditionally when you saw extra security at the theatre, it would be because the audiences are a bloody nightmare - hence Dirty Dancing/Bodyguard/Rocky!

Regent Theatre in Stoke has signs up saying there will be full bag checks, and they did seem to be having a good search on biggish bags

Only venue I've been to this week was the Dominion where bag checks have been in place for a while but were perhaps being done rather more thoroughly last night.

Thought occurs however - people often leave the building at interval (to smoke usually) and I wonder whether there is any scrutiny on re-entry... I know ticket checks are often in place, but bags?

Back in 1990 at the time of the first Gulf War, several shows closed citing security concerns affecting box office. Children of Eden was prime example.

Funny/ sad how much times have changed and how step by step, imperceptibly, our society and culture have changed and we just trundle on, tolerating the gradual diminishing of freedom (freedom to travel without fear, freedom to be trusted and to trust others, freedom to go about our ordinary lives).

At some point maybe we ought to reflect on why our way of life is deteriorating and do something about it.

Oh and maybe reflect on that at the election.

National have erected a search area inside the foyer past the box office. little queue to go through the search area and bags were searched fairly thoroughly. They were making announcements about the increased security every 10 minutes or so whilst I was waiting to go into part 2 of Angels.

I came to NT about 6pm. No queue but it was indeed quiet inside compared to normal. About 20 mins before AIA starts there is quite a long line outside. Still not sure if we will start on time. I asked FOH and apparently it was on time yesterday but Fridays is bad for people turning up later.

My local theatre have announced they're going to start doing bag searches. I find it had to imagine a 600-seat theatre in Cambridge with a usually largely pensionable-age audience is going to be a prime terrorist target!

Old Vic being evacuated just now when I walked past at 2:50- hopefully just a false alarm

Famous last words. One might have said the same about children leaving a Disney Channel teen-stars pop concert? Better to be safe than sorry.