We've compiled everything you need to know about this year's season at The Warren. From COVID to concessions, theatres to ticketing, and everything in between.
SHOW SEATING
Seats are sold individually, in standard theatre seating rows. However, we have removed every other row to ensure a 2m distance between the rows in front of and behind you. Additionally, the ticketing system employs an algorithm to leave a spacing of 1m between the parties on either side of yours.
BAR SEATING
For our bar areas, tables will be available on a walk-up basis, with tables allocated on a first-come-first-served principle. Therefore we recommend arriving in plenty of time to see shows and meet people as we anticipate queues to enter the site. Those with tickets to shows will be able to reserve tables on either side of the performance.
REFRESHMENTS
Due to the current level of government restrictions, attendees are not allowed to carry drinks around The Warren, so all purchases made to your table in the bar areas must be consumed, as per the restrictions, at your table. For audience members to enjoy a drink during the show, they must purchase their drinks from the venue directly. You can do so either in advance, through our App or website, or from one of the Front of House team as you queue up to see your show.
To ensure everyone can get a drink, and that all our shows can start on time, we will be operating a can-only bar at The McElderry and The Oil Shed.
There are two ways to book these - when you book your ticket through our website, you are able to add canned drinks to your order, through the checkout process, so that they are redeemable along with your show tickets.
If you’d rather order another time, or even when you arrive, you will be able to order directly through our App. Once purchased, you will be able to redeem your can drinks at a time of your choosing, and collect your drinks on the way into your show.
CONCESSIONS
We offer concessions for families, NHS staff and students amongst others. Head to our concessions page to find out more.
ARRIVING
Once you arrive at The Warren, someone from our Front of House team will ascertain your destination, be that our bars or theatres, and direct you accordingly. Movement around the site is one way, to avoid unnecessary contact with other groups, so please follow the signage and the directions our staff issue. If you need to queue before entering, our friendly Security team will show you where, and please do follow their instruction and observe any markings denoting safe distances between groups.
ENTRY
On entry, our staff will direct you to the bar area with an available table. If there are no available tables then we will hold you at the entrance until one comes free. We are asking everyone to wear masks at all times they are moving around the site. You may, of course, remove them when sat at your tables in the bars, or seats in the theatres. Everybody will need to each, individually, sign in to the NHS Track and Trace for each area. If you do not have the NHS app, then an alternative form will be available to record your details for tracing purposes.
PERFORMANCES
The show will start at the advertised times, and please be aware that it may take longer than usual to enter the site and reach your seats. We are advising everyone to arrive at least 30 minutes before their advertised performance start time to ensure that they are able to enter the venue in time, as some shows may not accept latecomers. We are operating fully distanced queueing areas for both venues, and these will be open approximately 45 mins before the performance start time.
OUR THEATRES
With safety at the top of our agenda, we’ve built two brand-spanking new, and Covid compliant, performance spaces that we hope you will enjoy.
The McElderry is an open-air theatre sculpted from shipping containers, with a twist of Shakespeare’s Globe about it. The Oil Shed is an indoor/outdoor fusion of oil drums and scaffolding that allows the free flow of air throughout the venue. In both venues, we have kept rows a minimum of 1.5m apart from those in front and behind, and our ticketing system will automatically allocate a 1m gap between each booking to keep your party apart from others.
OUR BARS
The Warren will, as ever, contain 4 distinct bar areas, each serving social-distanced drinks, available to order through our App (or online), and delivered to your table by our knowledgeable… team… Tables will be offered on a walk-up basis, though some limited table reservation options will be available.
LEAVING
Walk-up tables are open-ended, so you may remain as long as you like. However, our booked tables will have strict cut-off times, to allows full cleaning before the next party arrives. Please refer to your booking to check timings and ensure you are ready to leave your table when required.
COVID-19
Due to the ongoing government restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to help to continue to ensure everyone’s safety, we are asking everyone to please follow these simple rules for attending The Warren:
-Do not make your way to the site if you have any COVID symptoms (new continuous cough, high temperature, loss of sense of smell/taste etc.)
Please wear a face mask/face covering at all times when queuing, entering, and exiting the venue, and when moving around the site - to protect yourself and others!
Please follow the one-way system inside the venue, there will be signage around to direct you, and follow staff instructions at all times.
Please remember to disinfect your hands frequently – hand sanitiser will be available all around the site.
AND FINALLY...
As The Warren is one of the first large events to go ahead following the latest relaxation of restrictions, it is important that everybody follows the instructions of our staff on site. The guidelines we have put in place are for everyone’s safety, and repeated infringement of these could see further restrictions imposed, or the site closed down. There is only so much we as event organisers can do, so we trust that you will behave responsibly at all times.
Stay safe, and we can't wait to welcome you back to The Warren!