Security at the Public Theater

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 12/21/18 at 2:52pm

I literally can't remember the last time I went to theater in NY without a bag check, usually some employee shining a light into a bag and making a cursory examination of the contents. Last night, that's exactly what happened at the Public, and I wondered there were any other significant NY theaters not doing bag checks of some type. Last night was pretty funny, as I was carrying a bag with some stuff like a book and a small umbrella, and when I mentioned to my wife that I was surprised no one looked at it, my wife, who was carrying a large shoulder bag, said that as she went in, she held it open as per usual and the person at the door looked at her like she was crazy.

By the way, God forbid there's ever a fire or similar emergency at that venue because getting out would not exactly be easy, but that's another story.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/21/18 at 2:55pm

I would suspect there are emergency exits throughout the building in case of an evacuation.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 12/21/18 at 3:00pm

RaisedOnMusicals said: "By the way, God forbid there's ever a fire or similar emergency at that venue because getting out would not exactly be easy, but that's another story."

You could say the same about pretty much every theatre (on or off Broadway).  Most of them are death traps if there were a fire or other emergency.

[Kad]

Posted: 12/21/18 at 3:08pm

uncageg said: "I would suspect there are emergency exits throughout the building in case of an evacuation."

As someone who worked there.... there really, really aren't.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 12/21/18 at 3:08pm

I've never had my bag checked at the Public, and I go there pretty frequently. In fact, I see quite a lot of Off-Broadway theatre in general, and the only one I can think of that DOES do bag checks is Signature. 

[morosco]

Posted: 12/21/18 at 3:11pm

By the way, God forbid there's ever a fire or similar emergency at that venue because getting out would not exactly be easy, but that's another story.

This is something everyone should take a moment to think about whenever they are in a public space like a theater. When you are inside make a mental note of where the emergency exits are. If there is a real emergency many people's instincts in a panicked situation would be to exit the building the same way they came in which might quickly become a bottle-neck and may not be the quickest way out. Once you get settled, make a mental note of the nearest emergency exits.

[macnyc]

Posted: 12/21/18 at 4:37pm

Kad said: "uncageg said: "I would suspect there are emergency exits throughout the building in case of an evacuation."

As someone who worked there.... there really, really aren't."

That's scary!

Well, if I happen to perish in a conflagration down on Lafayette Street, at least my friends will say, "She died doing something she loved."

[Tom5]

Posted: 12/21/18 at 4:43pm

I'm fairly certain that almost all theater fires are caused by something on stage.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 12/21/18 at 4:48pm

morosco said: "By the way, God forbid there's ever a fire or similar emergency at that venue because getting out would not exactly be easy, but that's another story.

This is something everyone should take a moment tothink aboutwhenever they are in a public space like a theater. When you are inside make a mental note of where the emergency exits are. Ifthere is a real emergency manypeople's instincts in a panicked situation would beto exit the building the same way they came in which might quickly become a bottle-neck and may not be the quickest way out. Once you get settled, make a mental note of the nearest emergency exits."

This is really good advice. It's one of the reasons airplane security briefings always tell you to take note of your nearest exit before take off. 

As for theater security, I was at the Lunt-Fontanne last week and they told us to open our bags and then they never checked inside them. I was a bit surprised as I went to the Broadhurst last month and they did a thorough check.

 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/21/18 at 6:36pm

Tom5 said: "I'm fairly certain that almost all theater fires are caused by something on stage."

Tell that to the Shubert Organization, which suffered $30K in damages from a fire in the downstairs lounge at the Broadhurst Theatre last week.

[Susanswerphone]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 3:06pm

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

It makes me giggle because I truly wonder if any of the Broadway bag checkers even know what they're looking for. And, what exactly would s/he do if they opened a bag with a bomb about to be detonated?

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 12/23/18 at 10:31pm

I worked in London in major department stores at the height of all the IRA bombings and there were3 coloured lights positioned around the store. Green be aware, orange we[staff] had to search rubbish bins etc[not people]--as if I ever did that--I always needed to go to the loo via outside and red everyone headed for the hills--perfect time to knock off some stock.

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 12/24/18 at 1:44am

2nd Stage didn't check my bag when I went to Days of Rage. I don't think many off Broadway theatres check.

 

Just last night when I went to The Prom I opened my bag right away and the guy was like oh you know what you're doing. When I said I go to a lot of shows he called me grandma. Was amusing.

Updated On: 12/24/18 at 01:44 AM