South Shields’ Customs House has prepared for post-lockdown reopening, putting measures in place to ensure the safety of audiences. These include:
- One-way system around the building
- Hand sanitiser stations situated throughout the building
- Fixers on all theatre doors to hold open rather than push and pull
- Restricted capacity in theatre and cinema
- Removal of seats to ensure safe egress around theatre
- Continual rotational cleaning of building
- Increased number of intervals to enable suitable toilet breaks
- Limited capacity in toilet facilities at any one time
- Approved PPE for all staff
- E-tickets for all performances
- Refreshment delivery services to your seats to avoid queues at the bar, with a pre-order facility available
- Opening of auditorium one hour prior to all performances to reduce entrance congestion
The theatre hopes that this year's panto, Rapunzel, which is due to run from 25 November to 3 January, starring Ray Spencer as Dame Bella Ballcock and Davey Hopper as her hapless son Arbuthnot, will be able to go ahead but awaits government guidance.