Attending a Performance
Never been to a performance at the Royal Opera House before? This information should ensure your visit goes smoothly.
Ticket collection
Tickets for collection for all performances are held at the Box Office in the Bow Street/Piazza Link.
Waiting for someone who has your ticket?
Tickets must be shown at the main entrance doors. If you are waiting for someone who has your ticket, the best place to meet is in the Bow Street/Piazza Link by the Box Office. If you leave at the interval, tickets must be shown again for re-entry.
Bags
Bags are searched as you enter the Royal Opera House. You may leave any bags in the Cloakroom and please do not leave bags unattended in the theatre at any time.
When to arrive
As a rule of thumb, we recommend you start finding your seat 20 minutes before the performance starts. Auditorium doors will open up to 30 minutes before the performance starts. There will be announcements asking you to take your seats at 10, 5 and 2 minutes to curtain up. For performances in the Linbury Studio Theatre or Clore Studio Upstairs, theatre doors open an hour before curtain up.
Lifts and escalators
These are available. If you are able to, please use the stairs rather than the lift.
How to find your seat
Your ticket for the main auditorium will be marked LEFT or RIGHT depending on whether your seat is on the left or right of the auditorium. Please ensure that you follow the signage as once inside the auditorium it's impossible to cross from one side to the other.
Latecomers
If you arrive late, or leave the auditorium during a performance, for safety reasons you will be asked to wait in foyers until the interval or a suitable break in the performance when the lights are raised. (This wait can be up to 90 minutes in some performances.) You can view the performance on TV monitors during this time.
Children at the ROH
Children are welcome at the Royal Opera House. Here are some guidelines to ensure they get the most from their visit:
• Children require their own ticket next to the accompanying adult. Babes in arms cannot be admitted to the auditoria.
• The Management reserves the right to ask patrons to remove infants or children if they are causing a disturbance.
• Where events or performances are specifically for children, a recommended age range will be stated in accompanying publicity.
• Lower ticket prices may be offered to children for appropriate productions or performances, mostly for those in the Linbury Studio Theatre, Clore Studio Upstairs or Paul Hamlyn Hall.
• Unless otherwise stated in publicity material or on the website, the upper age limit to qualify for a child's concessionary seat is 15. Proof of eligibility may be required.
Safety and Comfort
Please don't put any coats or bags under your seats as this interferes with the air-conditioning vents. And, of course, please don't leave your bags unattended at any time. To ensure the safety of our customers and staff, the Royal Opera House has installed closed circuit TV cameras in and around the theatre. They are for your protection and staffed by our security services at all times.