Frequently asked questions at Opera Holland Park and
their answers
Where is it best to arrive with a wheelchair user and do
OHP have wheelchairs I can use?
You can drop off a wheelchair user (by car) in the turnaround by
the Holland Park café, adjacent to the side entrance to the
theatre, with prior permission from Parks Police. This is accessed
via the Ilchester Place Gates. Please email them or call
07973124066. Alternatively you can use the Abbotsbury Road car park
entrance. OHP do have wheelchairs that can be used by patrons. The
patrons must collect and return these from/to the front of house
stewards before and after use. A steward may be able to assist you
with a wheelchair from the turnaround by the café and when you are
on the theatre site. Unfortunately, our staff are not able to work
beyond this boundary and cannot, for example, collect people from
the car park. Please telephone the box office on 0300 999 1000 to
advise us that you will be arriving with a wheelchair user.
Can I drive up to the theatre gates?
If you
or a guest have difficulties with mobility, you can drive/be driven
to the turnaround by the Holland Park café, accessed via the
Ilchester Place Gates with prior permission from Parks Police.
Please email them or call
07973124066.
May I leave my possessions on site whilst
I am watching the opera?
You may leave picnic
equipment at your picnic table where they will dot be disturbed. If
you are arriving with items such as suitcases these may be left in
a quiet corner of the theatre site. Please note that the front of
house team will need to be informed about this on the evening you
are coming and where you items will be. They may be subject to a
search. Valuable items such as laptops may be stored with security
at their discretion. All items are left on site at the owners’
risk.
What is the procedure with picnics and
picnic tables?
All picnic tables must be booked in
advance through our box office on 0300 999 1000. The dimensions of
the picnic tables are:
Picnic Deck, Dutch Garden Lounge and Mezzanine: 60cm x 120cm or
80cm x 80cm (four people only)
The Terrace: 98cm diameter
We strongly advise that if you
feel you need more space additional tables are booked prior
to your attendance date (subject to availability and
capacity limits). All queries and requests regarding layouts of
tables/where the table is positioned on the picnic area should be
referred to the box office on 0300 999 1000. We do not guarantee
table position. We will try our best to help where possible but
cannot promise that every request can be provided for and we must
give due consideration to health and safety and clear gangways. It
is highly unlikely during the evening that we will be able to amend
any reservations then.
Please note that picnics are NOT
PERMITTED in the theatre unless you have a table booked.
We would advise that you take advantage of the park and environs.
Your bags can be brought into the theatre and staff will advise
where you can leave them. Please be aware these may be subject to a
search.
Can I remain at my table during the
performance?
We do not permit patrons to remain at
their table during a performance, nor access the picnic areas if
you have left the auditorium. We will ask you to remain in the
foyer.
What are the interval
lengths?
Interval lengths at OHP vary according to
the opera. We do not provide long "dinner break" intervals. OHP are
bound by time restrictions and we must therefore clear the site by
a certain time. This is also why we rarely permit picnics to be
resumed after the performance although from time to time this is
possible. You will be advised on the evening whether this will be
possible.
How do I book a picnic and what do I do if
I have any comments/feedback about it?
You can book a
picnic through our box office on 0300 999 1000. All of our menus
are available by clicking here. All comments/feedback should
be emailed to info@formanandfield.com or by
telephoning 020 8525 2352.
Are animals allowed in the theatre
site?
Clearly identified support dogs for the
disabled, including guide dogs are allowed on the seating stand. No
other animals are permitted. Please inform the box office prior to
attending on 0300 999 1000 to let us know that you will be arriving
with a support dog.
If I have any comments, complaints or
praise, where do I send them?
We hope that you won’t
have any problems when visiting OHP, but if you do then one of our
House Managers should be able to assist you during your visit. If
you need to contact us further this can be done on info@operahollandpark.com
When are your toilets
open?
Our toilet facilities are open before the show
from 5.30pm, during the interval and at the end of the performance.
The toilets are closed during the show. The park facilities are
open during this time if you should need to leave the auditorium to
use the facilities. Please note that if you leave the auditorium
during a performance you will not be readmitted until a suitable
break in the performance – this could be the interval or even the
end of the show if leaving during the second half.
What are the running times of the
operas?
These are available on our website.
How do I book a taxi to pick me up/drop me
off at the theatre?
The postcode of the theatre is W8
6LU. You can be dropped off at several gates around the park – we
would advise that the Ilchester Place Gate and the Abbotsbury Road
car park are the best. Some taxi companies know this as the
Belvedere Restaurant. Please advise your taxi firm to collect you
from there also. Please locate a taxi number prior to arriving at
the theatre as our front of house team are unable to provide you
with numbers or book taxis on behalf of patrons.
Are latecomers allowed
in?
Our default policy is that latecomers are not
allowed in under any circumstances. The policy is written on all
tickets. Latecomers are allowed to sit in the foyer of the theatre
and watch the performance on the television feed. They will not be
admitted until a suitable break in the performance – this could be
the interval. If you leave the auditorium during the show the same
rules apply and you will not be readmitted until a suitable break
occurs. However, we do, when possible, attempt to let people into
the auditorium.
There are many reasons for this approach; the
unique nature of the theatre means that latecomers can cause
distraction not only for the audience but also the
performers.
If you are late, we will ask that you stay in the
foyer and not attempt to move around the site.
Can I take pictures or film the
show?
Filming, photography, recording and telephones
are not permitted during the show. You may be asked to leave the
auditorium if you use any such equipment. Non-flash photography is
allowed in the auditorium prior to the performance, during the
interval and during the curtain call.
What do I do if my guests arrive after me
and I have their tickets?
We have a member of staff
at the front gate who deals with ticket collection. You can leave
guests tickets here with the name of the guests on the ticket.
Can I get food at the
theatre?
Yes, the bar has a selection of snacks and
sandwiches. There are also several restaurants in the
area.
A word about our
staff...
Our staff are employed and trained to
provide unobtrusive assistance and guidance and to ensure your
safety at the theatre. They are there to help you enjoy the
experience of OHP. They have specific instructions and must, for a
variety of reasons, carry these out. Please try to understand this
and remain polite and cooperative. It is a thankfully rare
occurrence among our audience but OHP will not tolerate abuse or
aggression towards our staff in anyway whatsoever. If you are not
happy with the instructions of a member of staff, please refer to
one of our on duty managers. Patrons who abuse or intimidate our
staff in any way will be asked to leave the theatre and will
receive no refunds. Likewise, if you feel that a member of staff
has provided unsatisfactory service or has been impolite in anyway,
refer the matter immediately to a house manager.
Front of House management reserves the right
to alter our policies, rules and services at any time, subject to
circumstance.