In Conversation With... Heather Townsend

As a Front of House Volunteer, I usually arrive about an hour and a quarter prior to the commencement of the performance. We are required to be in the theatre an hour before the start. I sign in on arrival, greet and am greeted by members of staff, volunteers or management as I encounter them. I make my way to the cloakroom, securing my valuables in one of the volunteer lockers, and I find my torch, glasses, pen and paper and transfer these items to the pocket in a black apron I wear around my waist. This done, I make my way to the recently named Sir Ken Dodd Auditorium and chat with the other volunteers and staff.

The duty manager will give us our brief about half an hour or so before the doors open to the public and an hour before the performance begins.  We will be informed of the occupancy, any wheelchair users, and where they will be sitting. In the event of a fire or other mishap, we are made aware of members of the audience who may require extra assistance – a volunteer is given specific responsibility and told where the person / people will be sitting. This inspires confidence should anything happen, as each of us knows exactly what is expected of us and can act with the self-belief necessary to direct and calm the audience. This concluded, we then disperse to our given post, which is almost half an hour before curtain up, and the duty manager will signal the opening of all doors for the audience to take their seats.

Approximately half an hour later, the doors are closed, the lights are down, and the show begins. There are usually two seats near the doors for the volunteers to sit and watch the performance and greet any latecomers before directing them to their seats. If there are unoccupied seats, the volunteers may sit there, but always leave at least one space between themselves and any guest. Five minutes before the interval (if there is one), volunteers and staff are alert and ready to look after guests and be on hand to point out the toilets, lift access and answer any other questions that might be posed. At all times, a watchful eye is observant for the unexpected to ensure an enjoyable evening for our guests.

After the interval, when the audience is back in their seats, doors are closed, lights dimmed and the second half commences. When the show ends, staff and volunteers reprise their positions to ensure a speedy departure. As the rows empty, either a member of staff or a volunteer walks along the empty seating lest someone has forgotten any property. I have, on occasion found items that I have then handed to a member of staff or a manager. When this last task has been completed, our shift is over and we are free to collect our belongings from the cloakroom, sign out and make our way home.