What happens at Bradford's Alhambra Theatre when there's no shows

The iconic venue has ‘gone dark’ for the Summer – a theatrical phrase used to capture the four-week period where the curtains are cleaned and anything from plug sockets to light bulbs are checked.

It is what keeps the magic alive for every show-stopping performance, according to technical manager Chris Barlow.

In just a matter of weeks, the team has cleaned the grand red curtains, checked 68 flying ropes, and completed over 4,000 electrical safety tests on plugs and lights.

“When we go dark it means we don’t have any productions on at all,” Chris said.

The team at the Alhambra Theatre must test all 68 flying ropes. Picture: Mike Simmonds

“We do all the maintenance so it’s hours of checking every plug and socket on stage, the lights, all the equipment that’s used for flying.

“That’s also with any other jobs we have to do like replace floorboards on stage because we’re having some of the bigger shows coming.

“It’s quite a busy time.

“A lot of people think ‘Oh, there’s no shows on, it must be a quiet time for you’ but it’s quite the opposite really.

All lights at the Alhambra Theatre must be checked before the new season of shows begin. Picture: Mike Simmonds

“We do cleaning as well, when we use pyrotechnics in shows they create quite a lot of dust that’s quite sticky. It’s got to be properly cleaned.

“We try and aim that people don’t realise what goes on. We hope people come and see the magic and don’t realise.”

Explaining what he loves about his job, Chris added: “It’s that curtain up at 7.30pm, that performance going on, from a big, empty space to putting a show on.

Behind the scenes at Bradford's Alhambra Theatre. Picture: Mike Simmonds

“I’ve been doing the job for a number of years now so sitting and watching a show has lost its magic a little bit.

“I always get told off if I’m sat next to someone, I don’t react or jump! They always find it really hard to go and watch a performance with me.

“People don’t realise the first time we ever see a show is potentially when we open the back doors of a wagon. We open the back of the wagon and go, ‘Oh that’s what we’re doing this week’.”

Crews test equipment at Bradford's Alhambra Theatre. Picture: Mike Simmonds

The Alhambra is set to host The Lincoln Center Theatre’s critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning production of My Fair Lady this Autumn.

Other upcoming shows include Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

• Read more: Sneak preview of what's coming up at Bradford Theatres

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