Step into the Spotlight: An exclusive on-stage Tour
Step into the Spotlight: An exclusive on-stage Tour
Step into the Spotlight: An exclusive on-stage Tour
Explore the Main Stage of the Royal Opera House. See behind the scenes, witness technical demos and see how productions come to life with this rare opportunity to stand on our stage.
Explore the main stage of the Royal Opera House. See behind the scenes, witness technical demos and see how productions come to life with this rare opportunity to stand on our stage.
Explore the main stage of the Royal Opera House. See behind the scenes, witness technical demos and see how productions come to life with this rare opportunity to stand on our stage.
If you have any access requirements for your tour, please contact tours@roh.org.uk after booking so we can deliver the necessary arrangements.
When you book a tour you'll also receive one month of RBO Stream for free and 10% off in the Royal Ballet and Opera Shop and Royal Opera House café. Simply show your tour ticket at the till, valid on the day of your tour.
Find information about your Royal Ballet and Opera tour including how to get to the tour venues and in-depth accessibility information.
Background
Step behind the velvet curtain and onto the stage with this rare tour of the Royal Opera House Main Stage available for one day only. This exclusive opportunity offers a unique glimpse into the cutting-edge technology and artistry that bring every performance to life.
You’ll get access to areas usually off-limits to the public, including the Main Stage and the model box room. Witness live demonstrations showcasing the incredible technology and expertise that power our world-class productions. Learn how we make snow fall, how we “fly” set pieces on and off stage and how we use the stage lifts. Watch the lighting and follow spots in action as they illuminate the performance space and get an up-close view of a selection of props as they are set on-stage.
Throughout this 75-minute tour, you’ll also meet the talented technicians who bring these incredible feats of engineering to life, learning about their roles and how they contribute to the performances that have been on our stages in Covent Garden since 1732.
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Important information about your tour
- The meeting point for this tour is the Ground Floor cloakroom of the Royal Opera House.
- Latecomers will not be admitted. We recommend arriving 10-15 minutes before the scheduled start time of your tour.
- As the Royal Opera House is a working theatre each tour provides unique experience and content may vary according to what spaces are available on the day.
- Children under the age of 12 are not allowed on this tour, this includes babies and children in pushchairs. Children aged 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
- We may be using headsets on our tours to amplify the voices of our guides so you don’t miss any information. All equipment is fully sanitised after each tour. You can use your own headphones if you wish. Please note headphones need to have a standard jack connection to be used with our devices.
- Contact-free bag checks will be in operation when you enter the building.
Access Information
This tour takes you through different areas of the Royal Opera House, including long corridors, stairs, escalators and lifts. The flooring is also different depending on where you are in the building – some floors are smooth and tiled or wooden, some are carpeted. This tour goes backstage and onstage where the flooring and lighting can be different. There may be areas of low lighting or coloured tape on the floor. This tour includes demonstrations of bright stage lights and may include views from heights, including a view from 37 metres above the stage. There are 8 stairs from Level 5 to the Flys level and cannot be made wheelchair accessible.
Our tour guides use descriptive language which helps to paint a picture for blind and partially sighted visitors.
Please contact tours@roh.org.uk after booking to let us know your access requirements so we can make sure you have the best experience on your visit. We can help plan the tour if you require step-free and wheelchair access, if you prefer to avoid areas with views from a height, if you need to use the hearing loop or if you need to take regular breaks. Unfortunately, our hearing loops aren't compatible with Bluetooth.
Donate
The Royal Ballet and Opera is a charity and relies on your support. No matter the size, every gift is critical to our work and helps us to secure the future of ballet and opera.
Your donation will enable us to keep extraordinary work on our stages, inspire the next generation and support the Royal Ballet and Opera's community of artists, technicians and craftspeople.
Culture, crafted by contribution
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)