Half
Also called the half, half-hour call
The half is the backstage call to the company, in the UK 35 minutes before curtain up, so named because the actors are half an hour from going to the stage.
The calls that follow are the quarter, the five and beginners.
In use
Ladies and gentlemen, this is your half, thirty-five minutes to curtain.
UK and US usage
In the UK, the half is called 35 minutes ahead of the advertised start. In the US, the half-hour call comes 30 minutes before curtain.
Last updated 4 Oct 2026
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