Henry V, Prologue:
And let us, ciphers to this great account,
On your imaginary forces work.
Suppose within the girdle of these walls
Are now confined two mighty monarchies,
Whose high upreared and abutting fronts
The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder....

WHOOSH !

....................

I can vouch that there is a theatre in Essex that has the same problem - two dressing-room loos backing onto the back wall of the stage and yes, people do forget about the large notices telling you not to flush. But some plays actually call for an on-stage loo - Does anyone know that wonderful play "Stags and Hens" ?? It's set in the gents and ladies of a nightclub in Liverpool. Let's just say, the toilet is put to good and frequent use.

I remember reading in a book called "Exit Via the Fireplace" (anecdotes about post-war rep companies) about other unwanted sound effects in theatres: An end-of-pier theatre (it could have been the end of Bournemouth pier) where dramatic pauses were punctuated at the all crucial moment by honking ships' sirens and, if you looked in the gaps between the boards, you could even see the waves.

- jeanie