Taking drinks into the Theatre - good or bad? May 13, 2008
Posted by Andy in : opinion , trackbackA letter in today’s Times reacts against the current trend for carrying drinks of all kinds into the auditoriums of London theatres and opera houses. The writer is worried about the legal position should he happen to knock over a drink which another has left on the edge of the dress circle, and it falls onto somebody below! Whilst that may be an unusual and extreme accident, the point about allowing drinks to be taken in may be worth airing. It never used to be allowed, ostensibly on the grounds of safety and logistics but no doubt profits from the bar play a not inconsiderable part of keeping the theatres economically viable. The interval bar can be very well organised though, with orders taken in advance so I just wonder, do we really need to have a drink at hand during the actual performance? The pubs are still open after the show, and if you’re in a hotel for the night (best idea) then the bar will usually stay open as long as somebody is buying. I won’t even mention the mini-bar.
It’s undisputed that alcohol causes people to talk more loudly and to visit the facilities more frequently, thus inconveniencing others so is the overall theatre experience improved or worsened by take-in drinking?
I’d love to hear your views please on whether you like to take a drink in with you, how important is that to you and how it affects the enjoyment of a night out at the theatre.
Just don’t get me started on popcorn 
No comments yet.