The Albert Hall Management Committee

Reg. Charity No. 524464

USER’S GUIDE to the ALBERT HALL,

LLANDRINDOD WELLS

ENTRANCE

  • Entrance to the building is generally made using the single door to the left of the double doors at the front of the building.
  • If you are using the building after dark, it is a good idea to use the switch to the right side inside the single door to turn on the foyer entrance light
  • Disabled access is made through the gateway, to the left of the theatre, and then directly into the auditorium, via the fire escape double doors. The doors are opened from the auditorium using the push bar.
  • Set and bulky items should be brought into the theatre using the fire escape as this avoids negotiating the foyer.
  • When using the Lesser Hall, items can be brought into the Lesser Hall through the fire exit to the right of the theatre, leading to the car park.
  • When using fire doors for access, please ensure that the doors are fully secured before you leave.
  • All exterior doors must be locked when the building is not occupied.

LIGHTS

Foyer Working Light

  • This is a single light in the foyer, above the top of the stairs to the Lesser Hall.
  • This light is operated using the switch to the right of the main entrance single door and will give enough light to safely switch on the main foyer lights.

Front of House Lights

  • The lights for the front of house areas (foyer, toilets, balcony stairs etc.) are controlled from the main switch board in the foyer, to the right of the Lesser Hall stairs.
  • The light directly above the switch board is controlled using the ‘mains’ switch.

Lesser Hall Stairs

  • The lights for the Lesser Hall stairs are controlled using a light switch at the bottom of the stairs.

Disabled Toilet

  • The light in the disabled toilet is controlled using the switch outside the toilet, to the right of the toilet door.

Auditorium Access Light

A timed access light can be used to provide sufficient light to enter the auditorium and switch on the main auditorium ‘house’ lights.

  • The access light is activated using the push button on the outside wall of the disabled toilet at the rear of the auditorium.
  • A similar switch is found back stage to operate the access light, when leaving the auditorium, having switched off the ‘house’ lights.
  • This switch is at the top of the 3 steps used to access the stage and is to the left of the main electrical isolation switches and trip switches.

House Lights

  • The main house lights are controlled using the ‘house’ light switch backstage.
  • The switch is found to the right of the main isolation switches 1 & 2 and to the left of the trip switch panel.
  • If the house lights fail to come on when the switch is used, the lights may have been dimmed using the dimmer switches in the lighting control room.
  • This is accessed through the door in the foyer, to the left of the Lesser Hall stairs.

Stage Working Lights

  • The fluorescent tubes above the stage should be used for general rehearsals, set construction etc.
  • These are controlled using the double light switch to the right of the red curtains on the main lighting side of the stage (stage right).

General

  • If lights fail to work, check the trip switches to the right of the main switch board in the foyer or back stage, to the right of the main isolation switches.
  • Please make sure all lights are switched off before you leave.
  • Commonly forgotten lights are the upper passageway used to cross above the stage, the stair lights to the Lesser Hall (directly from stage left) and the disabled toilet light.
  • Torches, for use by front of house staff, are stored in the foyer near the main switch board.

TOILETS

  • The disabled toilet has a ‘call’ alarm, which can be reset using the button outside the toilet, to the right of the door.
  • The automatic flush system for the gents’ toilet is controlled using a red isolation valve, mounted at the top of the wall, to the left of the window.
  • This is turned off when the building is not in use.
  • If the flush is not working, please check that the valve is open and then close the valve at the end of the hire period.

HEATING

  • Dressing rooms and the Lesser Hall have wall mounted heaters, controlled using pull switches or rocker switches at individual heaters
  • Please ensure all wall heaters are switched off before leaving the building.
  • The main building heating is provided using the boiler in the Lesser Hall.
  • The boiler is turned on using the rocker switch to the right of the boiler, in the boiler room.
  • Directions for use are given above the switches.
  • The fans, used to circulate the hot air around the building, are controlled using the switch at the bottom of the main switch board in the foyer.
  • The fans should be switched off during a performance to reduce background noise.
  • If the boiler fails to light – remove the large front panel of the boiler.
  • In the top right hand corner is an oval glass window switch, which lights up if the ignition has tripped.
  • Press the window to reset and the light should go off.
  • Replace the boiler panel and the boiler should ignite.
  • Allow the boiler suitable time to warm the building before use by the audience.
  • In winter, this may take 2 hours.
  • Please make sure the boiler is switched off after use.

STAGE CURTAINS

Front Curtains (Red Tabs)

These are opened/closed using the drum based winch to the left of the curtain on stage left.

Mid Curtain (Gold Tabs)

  • These are opened/closed using the draw rope and pulley system found on the ‘door post’ to the left of the gold curtain on stage right.
  • Take care to secure the rope when not in use to avoid a trip hazard.

UPPER ROOMS OFF STAGE

  • The rooms upstairs and the boxes overlooking the auditorium to either side of the stage are not to be used for changing or performance at any time, due to fire safety requirements.

FIRE EXITS

  • All users should comply with the ‘Conditions of Hiring’ with regard to fire safety.
  • A minimum of 1m clear access to all fore exits must be maintained at all times.
  • Audience members using wheel chairs should be located in the left hand aisle facing the stage to be closest to the disabled access.
  • Front of house staff should be informed of how to assist disabled members of the audience to ensure the quickest possible evacuation of all members of the audience in the case of an emergency.

KITCHEN

  • Users are welcome to use the kitchen facilities and are requested to leave the kitchen as it was found.
  • The kettle and urn should not be used on the same double socket as this can overload the circuit.
  • If the circuit trips, it can be reset using the trip switch to the right of the main switch board in the foyer.

LEAVING THE BUILDING

  • Please ensure that the building is left as it was found.
  • All lights should be switched off and all external doors, including fire exits, should be secured.
  • On leaving the building, please check that the double front doors and single doors on either side are all secure.
  • Thank you for using the Albert Hall.
  • If you would like to become more involved in safeguarding this community facility or have any comments you wish to make to assist us in providing the best possible experience, please contact the Albert Hall secretary:

Miss Lianne Thomas - 01597824405

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