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Original poster

Booze in theatres

138 replies

Conniebygaslight · 20/06/2024 07:52

We go to various theatres probably about half a dozen times a year to see different things, musicals, comedians, plays, audience with....etc.
Every single time over the last couple of years there has been groups or couples who are constantly shouting out from their seats, always women (usually middle aged) and always off their faces drunk. They completely spoil the show.
We've had women fighting in the foyer, or passed out drunk and/or just generally being very loud and obnoxious./aggressive
We went to see comedian last night and again the 2 women behind us were ridiculous and we had to move.
When did boozing in theatres become the norm?
For reference I'm a middle aged woman who is also a drinker but I can manage a night at the theatre without one.
AIBU to say that alcohol is becoming part of everything nowadays and nowhere is safe from drunken louts?

OP posts:
bagpuss90 · 20/06/2024 08:06

Nothing wrong with a drink at the theatre - it’s part of the experience- never seen anything disrespectful really. Fights and people passed out ? ! Where the hell do you go ? I’m really curious

Meadowfinch · 20/06/2024 08:06

I've never experienced this. Maybe choose a different theatre.

BigDahliaFan · 20/06/2024 08:04

It has got worse, in popular shows, I was faintly surprised to get an email suggesting pre theatre drinks, ordering interval drinks and post show drinks…it’s all pushed at people.

last time I was at the national theatre the bloke next to me fell asleep and snored, he looked like he’d had a few….no fighting though.

Didimum · 20/06/2024 08:03

Never experienced this at all and go to the theatre very regularly. If it is happening, the solution is to remove the individuals, not to stop serving alcohol for everyone. It’s also more likely they are pre-drinking elsewhere if they are that drunk.

IncognitoUsername · 20/06/2024 08:03

People don’t know how to behave in theatres at all. We saw Phantom in the West End and the people in front of us had a full packed tea to crunch throughout the performance. Loud conversations bout ‘who wants a chicken drumstick’!
Then at Come What May in Liverpool a woman was so drunk that she kept shouting out to the man playing the lead and leaning on the front of the stage. She was removed by security.
I think it’s symptomatic of society now though. People don’t care about how their actions affect others as long as they are having a good time.

rewilded · 20/06/2024 08:01

I think the mad rush to get one drink in the interval was a lot better. People now bring a bottle of proscecco back for the second half!

YANBU...don't get me started on the food situation.

BlondeFool · 20/06/2024 08:00

Fights? Are you going to prison shows?!

Never seen a fight at the theatre and I go a lot.

GCAcademic · 20/06/2024 07:59

That certainly doesn't happen at the National Theatre or RSC, both of which serve alcohol.

Allfur · 20/06/2024 07:58

Never seen any fights at any theatre, apart from on stage

MichaelAndEagle · 20/06/2024 07:58

I totally agree, alcohol ruins a lot of occasions and it is usually middle aged people.
We went to see a matinee of the lion King and people were late in or constantly up and down because they were at/wanted to get to the bar.

fieldsofbutterflies · 20/06/2024 07:57

Drinking at the theatre has always been a "thing".

TinkerTiger · 20/06/2024 07:56

I've never experienced this, where do you go to the theatre? FIGHTS?

KrisAkabusi · 20/06/2024 07:55

YABU because alcohol has always been available at theatres, there's nothing new there. Ordering drinks to be ready at the interval is part of the experience.