Boys Need Bins: how ATG Entertainment is leading the way for inclusive theatre
The idea of visiting the theatre can be off-putting for men with prostate cancer or other issues that impact their ability to manage incontinence. ATG Entertainment is addressing this overlooked issue by installing sanitary bins in men’s toilets at all its UK venues
It may sound strange, but 183 bins might well have transformed the theatregoing experience of thousands of men over the past few months.
For men living with prostate cancer, incontinence or other issues, the prospect of a night out at the theatre can be an anxious one, with toilet facilities in theatre buildings often not well equipped. And yet one in three men aged over 65 experiences urinary incontinence, according to research by Prostate Cancer UK, and 95% of men with incontinence worry about leaving the house due to a lack of appropriate sanitary disposal facilities. Some have even resorted to carrying used products home because they had no bin to dispose of them properly.
That’s where the Boys Need Bins campaign comes in. The UK’s leading live entertainment company, ATG Entertainment, in partnership with Prostate Cancer UK, has led the way in addressing this overlooked issue by installing sanitary bins in the men’s toilets of all 36 of its UK venues, ensuring that every theatregoer – regardless of health challenges – can experience the joy of live entertainment without anxiety or discomfort.
From the Edinburgh Playhouse and the Princess Theatre in Torquay, to London’s West End theatres such as the Savoy, ATG has installed 183 sanitary bins across its UK venues, explains Meg Conway, ATG’s group access and safeguarding lead, who is responsible for all accessibility and safeguarding initiatives at the organisation. It was an idea that was suggested to her on a visit to one of ATG’s venues in Woking.
“I was chatting with the team and one of our senior technicians mentioned the Boys Need Bins campaign after hearing about it from a friend,” she says. “He told me about the challenges men face when they can’t find a bin to dispose of incontinence products, and it was just a light-bulb moment. I immediately messaged a colleague in our facilities team to ask what it would take to make this happen across all our venues. We already have sanitary bins in our female toilets, so it was a straightforward process – we just needed to slightly expand what we were already doing.”
Small change, big difference
Stuart Beeby, group operations director at ATG, emphasises the significance of this move: “ATG Entertainment is proud to be the first major live events company to support this important initiative, spearheaded by Prostate Cancer UK. By introducing sanitary bins in our male toilets, we are taking a significant step towards inclusivity and support for men facing health issues. Our commitment to our patrons goes beyond providing exceptional entertainment; it extends to supporting their health and well-being.”
It’s a seemingly small change but it makes a huge difference. For men who have previously avoided theatre visits due to concerns about managing their incontinence, the presence of sanitary bins removes a significant source of stress. Actor Christopher Timothy, best known for his performances in All Creatures Great and Small and Doctors, knows first-hand how prostate cancer can impact daily life.
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“I relish seeing live shows,” he says. “Sadly, I also know what it’s like to have prostate cancer: how it can get in the way of your normal life and stop you from doing the things you love. But I was still shocked to learn that there are thousands of men with incontinence who don’t feel able to go out and enjoy themselves because they can’t get to a sanitary bin. So, it’s great news that ATG Entertainment is providing bins in their venues all across the UK – removing another barrier to people seeing great theatre. I fervently hope that more companies and venues take note and start giving men access to the facilities they need.”
Conway notes that the initiative is proving its own worth, too: “One of the most rewarding aspects of this initiative is knowing that we’re making people feel more comfortable. We don’t always hear directly from customers about it – after all, this is a very personal issue – but we know the bins are being used because they’re needing to be emptied, and that tells us everything we need to know.”
Expanding accessibility
Boys Need Bins is just one of ATG’s many accessibility initiatives, and Conway is more determined than ever to make sure theatre and live entertainment are available to all thanks to simple changes and additions to venues. Recently, she and her team have introduced sensory bags for neurodivergent people to use while in ATG’s UK venues.
“They’re filled with various sensory toys such as fidget toys – things that can be used to ground somebody who has sensory-related needs – as well as ear defenders,” she explains.
Widgit symbol resources are also being rolled out for people who don’t speak English or who have verbal communication requirements.
These work alongside the larger changes that Conway supports, such as multimillion-pound redevelopments of historic buildings including the Phoenix Theatre in London’s West End, which recently underwent a transformation and is now much more accessible to wheelchair users.
“Every decision we make is about making theatre more welcoming,” Conway says. “We listen to our staff, we listen to our patrons and we act. That’s what makes ATG different.”
ATG Entertainment hopes its leadership in this initiative will encourage other venues and organisations to follow suit. “We’d love to see other theatres, arts venues and entertainment spaces adopt this as standard practice,” stresses Conway. “Often these small changes have a massive impact on people’s lives.”
Theatre is for everyone. No one should feel they have to stay home because of something as basic as a lack of sanitary disposal facilities. “For us, it’s about thinking holistically,” Conway says. “What are the barriers preventing people from coming to our venues, and how can we remove them? Sometimes, it’s a big structural change. Other times, it’s something as simple as installing a bin.
“Our message is clear: if you have sanitary bins in your female toilets, you should have them in your male toilets too. It’s just common sense.”
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