Frequently searched for
Latest events
If you are planning a school visit, take a look at the information below – at The Old Vic, we want everyone to enjoy themselves whilst also being respectful of others. You’ll also find important, practical information relating to your responsibilities as a school in the lead up to and during your visit.
School Visit Agreement
- When in or around the immediate vicinity of The Old Vic, students must be under the supervision of a school-appointed adult at all times and the school is ultimately responsible for the students during that time. It is the school’s responsibility to ensure students conduct themselves in an appropriate manner that is respectful of the building, staff and other audience members
- If seeing a production, the school-appointed adult will be responsible for the students for the duration of the visit including before, after or during the performance should any individuals chose to venture off the premises
- The school-appointed adult must be an employee of the school
- The school is responsible for the health and safety of the school group
- Schools will be expected to provide all appropriate and adequate insurance arrangements for their students and staff
- The school-appointed adult will be expected to bring a register of the students in attendance in case of emergency
- In addition to The Old Vic’s own risk assessments, visiting or participating schools must also prepare their own
- The Old Vic carries a public liability insurance, a copy of which is available on request
- Please consider where teachers are placed when watching the show in order to best support your students, for Old Vic projects we will provide one teacher ticket for every 10 students.
- We recommend that you arrive 30 minutes before the start time of the show you are watching
- On arrival, please have your e-tickets ready to scan, or you can collect your paper tickets from the Box Office
- We have two entrances: one is on The Cut running directly in front of the theatre and the other is on Waterloo Road – this entrance is wheelchair accessible with lift access to the Box Office, inner foyer and the loos on the basement level
- There will be bag checks in operation at all entrances of The Old Vic and bags larger than a rucksack are not admitted into the building
- Our Front of House team are on hand throughout the performance should you need any further information.
- If seeing a production, please note that Penny, our all-day cafe and bar, is open to the public from 8am. Anyone under 18 will not be served at the bar and we ask the school-appointed adult to ensure no attempts to purchase alcohol are made
- Visiting groups are not permitted to consume their own food in the front of house spaces without prior arrangement
- We don’t allow glass inside the auditorium. You can take sweets and chocolate into the show with you but we ask for these items to be as quiet as possible (no wrappings) so that everyone can hear the action on stage. You cannot take hot food in with you.
- The school must ensure that all phones are switched off or to airplane mode (rather than switching it to silent) to make sure everyone’s experience is as enjoyable as possible
- Photos and filming are not allowed in the auditorium.
- In Penny, our bar and cafe on the basement level, there are two toilet blocks: a toilet block of 11 cubicles and one accessible ‘roomier’ toilet; and a separate toilet block of seven urinals with two cubicles, one of which is an accessible ‘roomier’ toilet
- There is also a separate wheelchair accessible toilet and a separate gender neutral toilet with an enclosed sink
- On the Baylis Circle level on the third floor there are two toilet blocks: a toilet block of 12 cubicles and one accessible ‘roomier’ toilet; and a separate toilet block of eight urinals, with one cubicle
- There is another wheelchair accessible toilet within the auditorium itself available for those seeing a show
- Visitors can use the toilet that feels most appropriate for them.
Download a copy of our safeguarding policy below. If you would like to contact The Old Vic Designated Safeguarding Lead, please email safeguarding@oldvictheatre.com
The Old Vic should be a joyful and fun place for everyone. Discriminatory remarks, attitudes or behaviour towards any group or characteristic at The Old Vic are not acceptable. As guests, employees, visiting performers or artists, and patrons of The Old Vic, we are all responsible for our behaviour and actions within the space. Please consider how your actions might affect other people around us.
If you experience, or witness, a negative or discriminatory interaction here let any member of staff know and we will take action. Speak to a member of the Front of House or Box Office team, to the FOH Duty Manager or Bar Manager, email feedback@oldvictheatre.com or speak to the Education & Community team.