Eating at the theatre

[mkmswain]

Posted: 3/2/17 at 8:57am

Do you think this is a good idea or unreasonable? 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Audience-at-West-Ends-WHOS-AFRAID-OF-VIRGINIA-WOOLF-Asked-Not-To-Eat-20170301

[rjm516]

Posted: 3/3/17 at 4:57pm

Geesh I hate that theatres even have to ask audiences to observe basic civil behavior anymore.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 3/10/17 at 10:24am

It's odd they're making it a specific request. My friend who works front of house in West End theatres says they always make people check food. But maybe this means the crisps and candy they sell as well. 

[emilienutley]

Posted: 4/12/17 at 12:21pm

nasty_khakis said: "It's odd they're making it a specific request. My friend who works front of house in West End theatres says they always make people check food. But maybe this means the crisps and candy they sell as well. "

I too used to work FOH in a West End theatre. To my knowledge the company only purchases from companies that do the least volumous food, hard to believe I know, but apparently they do these tests and sell ones which make the less noise. Also ushers are encouraged to offer cups to patrons buying crisps or wrapped sweets so they can empty their packets in there and it should make less noise. They also stop patrons bringing in hot food, as to not stink out the auditorium. Theatre's do have these measures in place to prevent distraction by noisy / smelly foods however sometimes things slip through the net, and other times people will just be more prone to finding these things annoying / distracting. In this case I feel as the actor has made a request, it should be followed through, after all the reason why their at the show is to enjoy the performance, not the snacks.