The health and safety of our audience, company and staff are our top priority. Through careful planning with our consultants RB Health and Safety and following Government advice, we’ve taken every step to ensure we’re a Covid secure venue. As such, we’re delighted to open our doors so you can enjoy world-class theatre this autumn.
Each booker will receive an email in advance of their visit about our café bar offering, and helpful details and reminders to ensure a safe and smooth experience.
Our health and safety measures are constantly re-evaluated inline with Government and RB Health and Safety advice.
Covid-19 health and safety FAQs
FAQs last updated 24 November 2020.
If The Dumb Waiter needs to be postponed, you’ll have the choice for a full refund or credit to use when Hampstead Theatre reopens.
To ensure at least a one-metre gap between customers, we have reduced our seating capacity on the Main Stage by half.
Seats have been set in 1s, 2s, 3s and 4s to allow bubbles to sit together. We ask you to please only book tickets for people in your household or support bubble.
A support bubble is a close support network between a household with only one adult in the home (known as a single-adult household) and one other household of any size.
Once you’re in a support bubble, you can think of yourself as being in a single household with people from the other household. It means you can have close contact with that household as if they were members of your own household.
Under law, you will be required to wear a mask throughout the performance and in public spaces unless you’re eating or drinking. Our front of house staff will be wearing face coverings too.
Masks will be provided if you’ve left yours at home.
We understand that some people will be exempt from wearing masks for medical reasons. For customers who may find this helpful, Exempt Badges will be offered to help ensure a smooth experience at Hampstead. We can post these out to you in advance of your visit or you can access one on site. Please email boxoffice@hampsteadtheatre.com
Hampstead Theatre also recognises the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard. For more information about accessing a Sunflower lanyard, please visit here.
The air in our auditoria and foyer is 100% fresh air introduced from outdoors. None of it is ‘recycled’ air. Our state-of-the-art air handling systems draw stale air out, introducing entirely fresh air into the main house - 5,243 litres per second! The air in our main house is changed completely every 4 minutes and 45 seconds.
Yes, we will be serving a selection from our usual range of food and drink. Audiences for The Dumb Waiter will receive an email in advance of their visit about our café bar offering.
You can only pay for food, drink and programmes by card.
All tickets will be E-tickets. You can show them on your device or print them at home. We will not have a box office to collect physical tickets from.
If you do not have an email address, please call the box office and we will make alternative arrangements for you.
Yes, you will be able to purchase a programme on site.
To avoid queues within the theatre, you will be sent your tickets electronically. You can print these at home or show them on your mobile device.
The cloakroom will not be open. You will be able to take your belongings into the auditorium with you, but please bring the minimum amount of personal items needed.
Yes, our toilets will be open and cleaned regularly throughout the day, before, during and after every performance.
Unfortunately latecomers will not be admitted.
We’re afraid not to avoid disruption for the performers and other audience members.
The theatre will be cleaned regularly throughout the day, between every show. Front of House areas will additionally be cleaned during shows, while audience members are in the auditorium. Toilets will be cleaned throughout the day, before, during and after every performance.
Yes, patrons who use wheelchairs will be able to book as normal. Find out more about our Access provisions here.
Yes, you can collect a hearing device on site. Our devices will be thoroughly cleaned before and after use.
You can book up to 6 tickets per transaction.
If you cannot attend the performance due to having to isolate, please contact us and we will guarantee you a refund up to 2 hours before the performance or help you exchange into a later performance. Please email boxoffice@hampsteadtheatre.com in this instance.
If required, your contact details will be shared with the NHS' Test and Trace system who will, in turn, be in touch directly if necessary.
If you have any further questions please email info@hampsteadtheatre.com
What do I do if I’m showing COVID-19 symptoms? If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, please do not visit the theatre. You should stay at home and arrange to have a test. The most important symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following:
The most important symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following:
- a new continuous cough
- a high temperature
- a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
Please visit here for further advice.
If you cannot attend the performance due to developing symptoms, please contact us and we will guarantee you a refund up to 2 hours before the performance or help you exchange into a later performance. Please email boxoffice@hampsteadtheatre.com in this instance.
The Cafe Bar is currently closed outside of performances but we are hoping to reopen as soon as we can.
There are no plans to stream The Dumb Waiter at present. If you keep an eye on our website or sign up to our mailing list you’ll be the first to hear about any future announcements.
Our actors take regular Covid-19 tests under medical supervision so they can rehearse and perform as normal. All company members have temperature checks upon arrival for rehearsals and performances. The director and other members of the creative team are socially distanced from the cast and each other at all times. The director and other members of the creative team wear face coverings at all times during rehearsals. During performances, all company members will be following social distancing backstage and wear face coverings, except the cast. Carefully designed routes are in place backstage to allow company members to move around safely.
