Fancy knowing what’s changed at the theatre ahead of your next visit? Here’s a quick tour of our new socially distanced foyer and auditorium.

Brentwood Theatre Reopening FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

What safety precautions has Brentwood Theatre put in place to reopen?

As always, the health and wellbeing of our employees and customers is our number one priority.

In light of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and government advice, we have put a number of safety measures in place which will allow us to provide a safe environment for our employees and customers. This includes:

• A social distancing plan has been carefully prepared for the theatre and a full risk assessment carried out – this can be viewed here.  All aspects of the venue have been taken into consideration.
• We are implementing new socially distanced allocated seating in our screens to ensure a safe distance between customers from different households.
• Hand sanitiser stations have been set up throughout the venue for customers and employees to use.
• Our already high cleaning standards will be enhanced by a further cleaning programme designed to clean and sanitise the high touch points within the theatre.
• All employees will receive specific COVID-19 training and PPE will be provided to where the risk assessment has deemed it necessary, in line with government requirements.
• We have added protective screens at our front of house and bar areas where social distancing cannot be maintained.
• Only card payments will be accepted.

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UPDATE 14.09.20

MAXIMUM GROUP SIZES – It is now illegal to socialise in groups larger than six and from more than two households. We have now limited the maximum amount of seats bookable online to match this and ask that you observe these rules or you may be denied entry to the theatre.

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UPDATE 06.08.20

FACE COVERINGS – In line with government guidelines, all customers will be required to wear face coverings whilst visiting the theatre from Saturday, August 8. Face coverings can be removed whilst in the auditorium but must be worn elsewhere in the cinema before and after leaving the auditorium.

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How will social distancing be maintained?  

All employee and customer areas will be arranged and managed so as to encourage and maintain social distancing within the theatre.

In order to allow social distancing inside of our auditorium, we are implementing new distanced allocated seating which will ensure a safe distance between customers from different households.

How will toilets operate safely? 

All the toilets in the theatre will be cleaned frequently and the frequency of checks will be increased. Where possible, there will be staff members monitoring the toilets during busy periods and controlling capacity. We will be working together with our customers to ensure that toilets are clean and safe at all times.

How will you monitor the number of people in the toilets at one time? 

We have made our toilets unisex with only one occupant at a time and there will be clear signage indicating this. Where possible, there will be staff members monitoring the toilets during busy periods and controlling capacity.

Where will hand sanitiser be placed in the theatre? 

Hand santiser stations will be placed at entrances to areas and at all touch points throughout the venue.

How will you ensure social distancing if customers choose to leave the screen during the film to use the toilet or purchase food/drinks? 

With reduced capacity and the allocated seating system, customers passing other groups in the same row outside of their group should be minimal and therefore extremely low risk. The bar will be closed once the event has started to prevent too much movement.

How will you monitor people entering and leaving the cinema screen in a safe manner before/after an event?

There will be a member of staff present before and after each event, monitoring and ensuring the safe entry/exit of our customers.

Will you be taking temperatures before people enter the building?

In line with government guidance, we will not be asking to take people’s temperatures when they arrive at the theatre.

All our staff will need to declare at the start of each shift that they and all members of their household are symptom-free and have been for 7 days.

We respectfully ask that customers do not visit the theatre if they know they have any of the recognised signs. More information here.

If you need to cancel your theatre tickets just before your visit, please contact our box office.

Will you have signage on the front door asking people not to enter if they have symptoms?

Yes, we will and it will include an overview of the recognised symptoms.

What happens if a customer is showing symptoms once they are in the theatre?

If a customer is showing symptoms, or advises staff once they’re in the building that they may have symptoms,  we will respectfully have to ask them and their group to leave to ensure the safety of fellow customers and staff. All of the group would be given a refund via our box office.

How will you monitor families / bubbles sitting together?

When customers are booking tickets online, or in the theatre, we will remind customers that they are required to sit with their households.

We will encourage our customers to respect other customers and staff whilst in the theatre and ensure they are using the allocated seating system.

There will also be a member of our front of house team in the auditorium at all times to ensure people stick to their allocated seating.

How will you ensure social distancing in the screen if customers purchase their tickets last minute at the theatre (rather than online?)

All tickets will be allocated a seat which is a safe distance away from others.

Will you be able to pay with cash?

No, we will only accept card payments until further notice. All tills can accept contactless methods and the limit on payments has been raised to £45 now.

Will I be able to buy tickets at the Theatre?

Whilst there will be capacity to buy tickets at the theatre, we would encourage all customers to book in advance to help maintain the correct social distancing measures.

Will I be able to buy food and drink at the theatre? 

Our bar will be open and a wide range of delicious snacks and drinks will be available.

Important update – Performance and Event Cancellations

Following yesterday’s announcement by the government, we have reluctantly made the decision to cancel all performances and events at Brentwood Theatre for the next eight weeks.

We realise that cancelling performances and events has a large impact but the wellbeing and safety of our customers, staff, volunteers and community must be our priority at this time.

As an independent theatre and charity receiving no funding, we’d really like to thank all of you for your continued support. If you love theatre then we ask you to consider saying no to a refund and donating your ticket purchase to the theatre as without income from ticket sales we are facing an incredibly challenging time ahead.

If you have booked for an upcoming performance in the next eight weeks, please call our box office for a refund or to let us know if you’re happy to donate your ticket purchase to the theatre on 01277 200305 or email boxoffice@brentwood-theatre.org.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

From all of us at Brentwood Theatre, stay safe, look after each other and we look forward to seeing you back at the theatre soon.

World Book Day, March 5th 2020, is a UK-wide celebration of authors, illustrators, books and (most importantly) it’s a celebration of reading.

Now in it’s 23rd year, today children of all ages will come together to appreciate reading and open their imaginations to a world within stories, rhymes, words and novels.

At the Brentwood Theatre, we offer Storytelling sessions for children aged up to 5 years to allow them to explore a selection of stories from children’s authors- please see our latest schedule, and book your place here! Our next session on 10th March is based on the popular Julia Donaldson tale ‘Zog’.