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THE PLAYHOUSE THEATRE, BATH ROAD, CHELTENHAM, GL53 7HG

FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER

DESCRIPTION OF ROLE AND DUTIES

N.B. You will have in attendance a Representative from the Playhouse Theatre Committee to give you guidance if you need it.

First Aid cover

First Aid cover is a requirement of Health & Safety - only one first-aider per performance is required.  Normally the FoH Manager organises the cover from a list of First Aid qualified people from the membership.  The committee will provide this list for the task, unless already organised through an outside agency (eg The Red Cross). 

Whilst they should be on the premises and have their FA equipment, there is no absolute need for the First Aider to be actually in the auditorium during the performance, although this is recommended. Seats in row N are generally reserved for those from an outside agency, First Aiders who are from the membership and who are doubling up as Firewatchers should sit in the Firewatch side seats.

First Aiders are to be offered interval drinks gratis.  If theatre members are covering, they will additionally be paid £10 per duty; if found from elsewhere (e.g. local employer) they will have been offered a free seat for a friend in lieu of any payment.

A First Aid kit is available from the Box Office (if the First Aider does not have their own) before the start of a performance, and should be left in the (locked) kitchen overnight where Box Office staff will collect it the following morning.

Should an accident occur, record it in the Accident Report Book kept in Stage Manager's Corner.

Dress Code

FOH badges are provided and to be worn by all FOH assistants.  (You should find these in the yellow cash bag where they should be returned each night)

A combination of black/white clothes is recommended.  No DJs (except at Gala Performances), jeans or shorts.

Induction loop system

Take or refer enquirers to the Box Office for assistance.  Collect in any devices after the performance and return them to the Theatre Rep.

Wheelchairs

Four wheelchairs on either side of the auditorium are allowed - two on either side of the auditorium.

Each person with a wheelchair should be accompanied.   

Wheelchair users should enter the building via the ‘crash’ doors if seated on House Right.  Alternatively, for access to House Left (foyer side) use the wheelchair ramp (kept in the electrics cupboard at the rear of the auditorium) for afixing to the main entrance steps.  The ramp is equipped with bolts that must be engaged in the appropriate holes in the front steps.

The disabled toilet is backstage beyond the dressing rooms and can be accessed via the pass door.

The following is not allowed:

           The public are not to go through the pass door to the dressing rooms.

                        The cast are not allowed in the auditorium or Lounge Bar in costume/make-up unless it is integral to the show.

                        No drinks are allowed to be taken into the auditorium, whether in a plastic glass or not.  The only exception is Old Time Music Hall where a waiter service is provided.

                        No Smoking in any area of the building

FOH personnel

    Should be made familiar with the Fire Drill. 

            They should be on duty 45 minutes prior to start of show and correctly attired - please give them a badge to wear.

             Should comprise the following (some doubling-up of duties where possible):

                        Two people by House Left (foyer side) and at least one person at House Right (Lounge bar side) auditorium entrances to sell programmes, collect ticket stubs (these can be thrown away at the end of the evening) and direct people to their seats etc.

                        Two people on the Bar

                        At least one person at Coffees & Sweets serving hatch

                        Two people at either side of auditorium on Firewatch (one a First-Aider) whilst show is in progress (they can also ensure that door curtains are drawn before the show starts and be ready to open them for interval and end of show).

                        One person to sell ice-creams in auditorium during the interval

                        One person, usually the FOH Manager, must stay on Foyer side to check in with Stage Manager re. 3-minute bells, also in case of late-comers, and to be on hand whilst the Box Office check money and close up.

                        FoH Manager - or other personnel - should wait in the foyer for the first 10 minutes after curtain-up to deal with any further latecomers.

The Theatre Lounge Bar/Coffee Hatch should be ready to start serving 45 minutes before show starts. Whilst serving drinks pre-show, encourage patrons to order interval drinks. 

Before the Show.

                Please ensure that you know the programme price, the time of the interval, and the time the show ends, so that you can check that the ‘clocks’ in Box Office & Members Bar are correct.

                        Lucky Draw Slips will be available ready to be inserted into each programme.  Please ensure that those filled in are collected, and return them, along with the programme money, to the Playhouse Company Wardrobe.

                        Pick up float & keys from box office,  and the programmes & float from Wardrobe.

                        Open up the kitchen and bar, switch on coffee machine, and disperse the float money to the bar till, coffee (wooden tray)  and ice-cream (wooden bowl)

                        Coffee/bar assistants to set everything ready in the kitchen, bar and lounge - including ice from the club bar ice machine.

                        At 3 minute bell, check with Box Office if there are any paid-for tickets yet to be collected

                        Check-in with Stage Manager (phone on auditorium table at foyer-side entrance) at 1 minute bells at start of show and after interval/s

Just before interval:

           Put out pre-ordered drinks on trays onto Lounge tables.

           Ice-creams to be collected from Lounge Bar freezer and put in tray (with price list) and sold in auditorium.  Unsold ice-creams to be returned to freezer as soon as sales cease.  It is suggested you use the Pass Door to enter the auditorium with the ice-creams so as not to be caught in interval traffic!

                Ensure that Firewatchers return to their places for the second half.

After interval

           Clear away and wash up (you can use glass-washer machine in members’ bar for glasses but not for crockery - please wash by hand) returning everything to its correct place.

              Remember to dispose of the used coffee filter/s, remaining kettle water and used/dirty J-clothes

              Re-stock bar/coffee hatch from the Members Bar Store, checking availability of crisps, sweets, ice, lemons, milk, sugar, coffee, tea etc.

              Empty bottles should be returned/crated to Members bar every evening.  Dirty towels go in the laundry bag kept in the Members’ Bar.  Take full rubbish bags from Lounge & Bar to Members Bar and replace with clean bags.

Problems/breakages

Any problems, stock shortages, complaints, breakages to be entered in the FoH Book and the Theatre Rep informed.  If urgent, leave note for the Box Office.

Cashing-up

Money from the till/boxes should be bagged up (keep them separate) and placed in the yellow bag.

Cash from programme sales should be kept with the programmes during the week but handed to the Treasurer or member of the Committee on the final night.

Switch off the lights* and lock the kitchen and bar, place the keys in the bag with the money and place in the Members Bar safe (Badges also go in here at the end of the evening).

*Ensure that the Lounge central lights are still left on (2 way switch - in kitchen and outside)

At the end of the show:

           At least one FOH person to be in attendance to open the Foyer Door and the ‘crash’ doors, to see people out, say goodnight etc.

              Close foyer doors and ‘crash’ doors securely - see the Stage Manager to ensure that one of you is securing the chains on these doors. 

              After audience has left, check toilets and auditorium for ‘bodies’, running taps, lost property, pick up rubbish such as sweet wrapper/ice-cream cartons & programmes etc.

           Put out most of the lights.

                        Collect badges from all FoH personnel and place in yellow cash bag in safe.

 

Matinées

If there is a matinee performance, please can your team tidy up any rubbish in the auditorium after the performance, as the theatre cleaner does not come back in to clean the theatre in the afternoon. 

Ref: CarolMeredith.11.01.06 

Amended Nov 08 Ros Loveluck

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