House rules

These house and site rules apply to events in the "Französischer Saal (NEST)" venue and the associated general use areas of the Karlsplatz 5 property, 1010 Vienna (hereinafter "Theater"), organized by Wiener Staatsoper GmbH (hereinafter "Organizer" or "Organizer") and regulate the rights and obligations of the participating persons (visitors, Organizer and their employees or persons and companies commissioned by them). The house or site rules shall be clearly displayed at all entrances/entrances. Persons participating in the event must comply with the provisions of the approved and posted house or site rules, otherwise they may not remain in the theater.

I. Entering the theater

Entry to the theater is only permitted in the following cases:

1.purchasing tickets during the designated times at the points of sale;

2.attendance at events with a valid ticket;

3.visiting as part of an organized guided tour, whereby the instructions of the tour guide must be followed at all times;

4.performing official duties within the scope of the respective area of activity (representatives of the authorities) or police in uniform upon presentation of their badge.

5.in principle, all persons are only permitted to enter the theater (with the exception of paragraphs 1 to 4) with a valid State Opera chip card (season ticket or temporary visitor ticket).

6.access to the stage, including its ancillary rooms and stacks, as well as to the artists' dressing rooms is only permitted to persons employed there. The stay on the stage is only permitted for as long as the presence is necessary. Persons from outside the company may only enter these premises if accompanied by a responsible member of the State Opera staff.

7.persons who have been banned from the premises are not permitted to enter the theater. Likewise, persons who are obviously drunk or otherwise under the influence of addictive substances, as well as persons whose behavior or other circumstances could unreasonably impair the operation or the event, may be denied access to the theater despite a valid admission ticket or chip card, or may be expelled from the theater.

II General

1.it is not permitted to carry objects that could endanger persons or property (in particular weapons, pyrotechnic objects, etc.).

Prohibited in particular are

  • Weapons of any kind (a weapon is defined as any particularly dangerous object capable of threatening
    Life or limb);
  • Objects that can be used as weapons or projectiles;
  • Gas spray bottles or pressurized containers for highly flammable or harmful gases, with the exception of commercially available pocket lighters;
  • toxic, corrosive or coloring substances or objects;
  • Glass containers, bottles, cans, plastic canisters, hard packaging or other objects made of glass or any other fragile, splintering or particularly hard material;
  • pyrotechnic articles and sets, such as: Fireworks, smoke bombs, Bengal fires, etc.;
  • mechanically or electrically operated noise instruments (e.g. megaphone);
  • Laser pointers, whistles, gas tubes;
  • Pepper sprays and tear sprays;
  • large or bulky objects such as ladders, stools, (folding) chairs, boxes, large bags, rucksacks, camelbacks (hydration packs), suitcases;
  • Bicycles, skateboards, snakeboards, inline skates, scooters, kickboards, Segways and similar vehicles;
  • racist, xenophobic, national socialist, sexist or political propaganda material.

In case of doubt, the classification of objects as prohibited or permitted within the meaning of these house rules is the responsibility of the security service/ the supervisors/ the security staff/ the organizer and the bodies of the City of Vienna as well as the bodies of the Vienna Provincial Police Directorate. Persons carrying prohibited items as defined in these house or site regulations will be denied access to the theater. If persons are found in the venue with prohibited items, the organizer/security service/security staff shall be entitled to expel the persons concerned from the theater.

2.animals are not permitted, with the exception of certified assistance dogs (guide dogs for the blind, service dogs, signal dogs) with the appropriate ID. Guide dogs for the blind must wear an appropriate lead harness. There is no muzzle or leash requirement. If a person with an assistance dog enters the theater, Audience Services will inform the official supervisory bodies. Responsibility and liability lies exclusively with the owner.

3.the parking of bicycles, electric scooters, Segways or similar vehicles in the theater or the fastening of these to superstructures, fences, barriers, etc. represents a safety risk and is prohibited or is only permitted in the designated areas. In the event of non-compliance, the vehicles may be removed by the security service/supervisors/security staff/the organizer at the expense of the offender and stored by the organizer.

4.the theater must be cleaned regularly at least two hours before the start of the event.

5.traffic routes, entrances and exits as well as the emergency exits of the theater must be kept free of storage and obstructions during events and must be safe to walk on. All entrance and exit doors must be kept unlocked from the time visitors enter until immediately after the last visitor has left.

6.the instructions given by the official supervisory bodies, the public service and the employees of the State Opera in the course of their duties must be followed at all times.

7.smoking and lighting tobacco products and the like (including e-cigarettes) as well as handling open flames is strictly prohibited, unless permitted in individual areas. All persons are obliged to comply with the existing smoking ban. The costs of a false fire alarm shall be borne in full by the person causing it.

8.food and drink may only be consumed in the designated areas and may not be taken into the spectator area under any circumstances. Eating and drinking utensils, in particular bottles and glasses, may only be placed on the tables provided for this purpose.

9.children and young people may only be admitted to events in accordance with the relevant child and youth protection regulations.

10.attendance in the auditorium during rehearsals is only permitted for those directly involved in the production and representatives of the authorities. Other persons are strictly prohibited from entering the auditorium. Exceptions to this rule are public dress rehearsals and attendance with special permission from the management.

11.the State Opera accepts no liability for personal items, with the exception of items deposited in the checkrooms in accordance with Article IV. paragraph 5.

III Behavior in the event of fire or danger

1.flammable liquids and flammable objects may not be stored or used in the theater. Exceptions are only possible in accordance with legal regulations or official staging authorizations.

2.in the event of danger (fire, accidents, etc.), the security service/supervisors/security staff/the organizer and/or the emergency services of the blue light organizations (fire department 122, police 133, ambulance 144) must be informed immediately: Keep calm and pay attention to your own safety.

3.follow the orders/instructions (e.g. by announcements over the public address system or megaphones) of the responsible employees of the State Opera, the executive, the fire department and other emergency services of the blue light organizations, the security service/supervisors/public order personnel and the bodies of the City of Vienna, as well as the organizer. .

IV. Behavior in connection with events

1.the theater will be opened to visitors after clearance by the supervisory bodies. At this time, the rooms must be adequately lit and the emergency lighting switched on. The lighting - including emergency and additional lighting - will not be switched off until the audience and staff have left the theater.

2.access to the auditorium and to the adjoining rooms intended for the audience is only permitted with a valid admission ticket, which must be presented to the State Opera staff and the audience service without being asked.

3.persons who are not dressed appropriately for the occasion may be denied access by the audience service despite having a valid admission ticket.

4.overclothes (unless they are kept on for the entire duration of the event), baby carriages, rucksacks, bags, suitcases, large items of luggage, bulky items, musical instruments, umbrellas, walking sticks (with the exception of walking aids), cameras, equipment for video and/or sound recordings and similar items may not be taken into the auditorium, but must be left in the checkrooms corresponding to the seating groups and may only be collected after the end of the event or before leaving the theater. It is forbidden to take the above-mentioned items into the auditorium.

5.the public safety authorities and the audience service are entitled to carry out checks on persons and searches of bags, suitcases and similar items.

6.wheelchair users (and any accompanying persons) may only participate in the event to the extent of the seats authorized for this area and must be informed of the escape route to the outside provided for them before the start of the event. The elevator suitable for wheelchairs is available during the event and may only be used in the presence of the elevator operator.

7.late arrivals may not be admitted after the start of the event. In consideration of performing artists and other visitors, admission during the event is only permitted during a break. Unauthorized entry into the auditorium constitutes a violation of the house rules, which may result in expulsion from the theater and, in more serious cases, a ban from the premises.

8.in the theater, any behavior that disrupts operations, in particular an event or rehearsal, must be refrained from.

9.cell phones must be switched off or silenced during the event. Any use of cell phones and other mobile electronic devices (tablet computers, laptops, video cameras, gameboys, etc.) that may disturb participating artists and/or other visitors due to noise, (light) glow or the like is prohibited for external persons during the event.

10.if medical assistance is required during an event, Audience Services must be informed immediately.

11.it is forbidden to remove or rearrange theater equipment without authorization. Any handling or operation of the technical equipment, such as the lighting equipment and all mechanical equipment, by unauthorized persons is prohibited.

12.in the event of disputes, the Audience Service must act as a mediator and is entitled to call upon or involve the support of official bodies if visitors fail to comply with its instructions. Visitor complaints about the external operation of the event, perceived defects and damage must be brought to the attention of the Public Services Department.

13.lost property must be handed in to the Public Services Department, which must also secure unattended items. Lost property will be kept by Audience Services until the end of the event and stored by the fire department at the Vienna State Opera for a maximum period of 10 days after the end of the event. Thereafter, lost property that has not been recovered will be handed over to the lost property service of the Municipal District Office of the City of Vienna. Identity cards, keys, money, credit cards and the like will be handed over to the Municipal District Office of the City of Vienna on the day following the day on which they were found.

V. Ensuring security and order

1.visitors who disturb an event or other visitors, or who cause a nuisance to State Opera staff or the audience service, may be expelled from the auditorium or the theater. If the efforts of the Audience Service are unsuccessful, they may contact public safety authorities and seek their support in ensuring the orderly operation of the theater or the course of an event, such as enforcing a house ban. In particular, they are entitled to remove disturbers of the peace from the theater.

VI Procedure in the event of violations and consequences of non-compliance with the house rules

1.any orders/instructions (e.g. by announcements over the public address system or megaphones) issued by the executive, the fire department and other emergency services of the blue light organizations, the security service/supervisors/law enforcement personnel and the bodies of the City of Vienna, as well as the organizer itself, must be followed immediately and unconditionally by the participating persons. In the event of non-compliance, the person concerned may be expelled from the theater and banned from the premises.

2.according to § 27 para. 5 of the Vienna Events Act 2020, LGBl. No. 53/2020, persons who do not comply with the provisions of these approved and announced house rules are not allowed to stay in the theater. Any violation of these house rules or seating regulations may be punished by expulsion from the theater. In accordance with § 27 para. 6 of the Vienna Events Act 2020, LGBl. No. 53/2020, it is pointed out that failure to comply with the expulsion order by the supervisory bodies of the Vienna Provincial Police Directorate constitutes an administrative offense. Any conduct relevant under administrative or criminal law will be reported to the competent authorities without exception.

 

Authorization:

The house or site rules in question were approved by decision of the Municipal Department 36-V of 17.10.2022, number MA36-484566-2021-65.

 

Indication of the availability of the organizer or their representative during the event:

Organizer:

Wiener Staatsoper GmbH
Telephone number: +43 1 51444-0