Intermission

The audience quickly fills the lobby, searching for bathrooms and the quick bagel bite before heading back to the second half of the show. Some single people in the room use this opportunity to make eye contact with another attractive theater goer, attempting to seal some small chance of activity after the show, but most of them will end up standing for ages in the bathroom line, or waiting for a drink at the bar. An intermission (American English) or interval (British English) is a recess between parts of a performance or production, such as for a theatrical play, opera, concert, or film screening. Intermissions usually last between fifteen to thirty minutes, and there are different methods to signal to the audience to return to their seats. The traditional method at an opera or symphonic concert is to flash the house lights several times, or to have a person with a handheld glockenspiel walk about the crowd, playing a four note chime. The intermission during several team sports games such American football is called halftime. During regular games, the cheerleaders of the different teams usually perform for their side of the stadium. During the Super Bowl, elaborate halftime shows are also performed. Originally intended with breaks for the actors or speakers in mind, intermissions have become an opportunity for the audience to socialize, purchase and consume refreshments, or use the restrooms.