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Original poster

Food and drink in theatre

171 replies

Lookforthegoodthings · 21/12/2024 00:02

Taking my Dd, 6, to The Nutcracker at the weekend. It states that there is no food or drink to be consumed. The show is 90 minutes long. Surely you can bring a bottle of water for children? (and I will need to take a small snack)

What have you done when taking Dc to see a show?

OP posts:
ClicketyClickPlusOne · 21/12/2024 00:38

GiveItAGoMalcom · 21/12/2024 00:34

So bring a plastic see-through empty bottle and fill it when you're in there.

Do please make sure she doesn't have to keep getting up and down to the toilet like a yo-yo though.

Show quote history

If you go out to the toilet they probably won’t let you back in

HPandthelastwish · 21/12/2024 00:36

Bag searches are a security measure if at a major theatre like most venues in London, terrorists and the likes of Extinction Rebellion make it necessary (don't buy Heinz tomato soup to eat later as they definitely won't let you in). They don't do them at our regional ones and no one's ever actually said anything about having a small snack or water in my bag unless the water was unsealed in which case I was asked to empty it and directed to the water available inside.

GiveItAGoMalcom · 21/12/2024 00:34

Lookforthegoodthings · 21/12/2024 00:33

They might get thirsty and want their water, that’s not that unusual

Show quote history

So bring a plastic see-through empty bottle and fill it when you're in there.

Do please make sure she doesn't have to keep getting up and down to the toilet like a yo-yo though.

ClicketyClickPlusOne · 21/12/2024 00:33

I have never been stopped in a London Theatre with my water bottle in my bag, it’s normal to have a water bottle. The searches are for security reasons.

Surely what they mean is, no food or drink to be consumed in the auditorium during the show. There is always free water available at the interval and have a snack then.

If you start rustling and fidgeting with snacks during the performance… well, not on.

Original poster
Lookforthegoodthings · 21/12/2024 00:33

GiveItAGoMalcom · 21/12/2024 00:31

Why is it crazy?

Children don't need water inside 90 minutes any more than adults do.

Show quote history

They might get thirsty and want their water, that’s not that unusual

OP posts:
Original poster
Lookforthegoodthings · 21/12/2024 00:32

HPandthelastwish · 21/12/2024 00:27

You can often take an empty reusable bottle through then fill it up inside at the water filling station.

But why can’t I bring my child’s water bottle that I take everywhere, as do all my mum friends etc. I don’t understand the issue, if a kid needs a drink, they need a drink 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
GiveItAGoMalcom · 21/12/2024 00:31

Lookforthegoodthings · 21/12/2024 00:30

I don’t need a drink or snack really, but surely they won’t stop a 6 year old having her water bottle in my bag? That seems crazy, bag searches do too

Why is it crazy?

Children don't need water inside 90 minutes any more than adults do.

Original poster
Lookforthegoodthings · 21/12/2024 00:30

I don’t need a drink or snack really, but surely they won’t stop a 6 year old having her water bottle in my bag? That seems crazy, bag searches do too

OP posts:
chocolatespreadsandwich · 21/12/2024 00:29

It's 90 minutes. I don't understand the issue?

HPandthelastwish · 21/12/2024 00:27

You can often take an empty reusable bottle through then fill it up inside at the water filling station.

GiveItAGoMalcom · 21/12/2024 00:22

TianasBayou · 21/12/2024 00:21

Just take a water and a small snack. For the interval.

How is she going to get that past the bag search?

TianasBayou · 21/12/2024 00:21

Just take a water and a small snack. For the interval.

HPandthelastwish · 21/12/2024 00:21

Are you sure? Most theatres do bag checks and you can't take bottles in with you but they have jugs of water for people to help themselves and see all sorts of drinks and snacks.

DaniMontyRae · 21/12/2024 00:18

It's 90 minutes. Why can you and your 6 year old not go 90 minutes without food and drink?

Hesonlyakidharry · 21/12/2024 00:17

Why do you need a snack? And why can’t your kid last an hour and a half without a drink?

clary · 21/12/2024 00:15

Presumably there will be an interval? The last time I saw a theatre show in London (last weekend) water was offered, I presume for free (a jug of tap water and some cups) as well as paid-for drinks. They sold crisps and ice cream as well. I avoid drinking during a show as it’s such a pain to need the loo (queue).

But why do you need a small snack in an hour and a half production? Unless you have some major medical reason I would think you can survive. If you give DD a drink in the interval that should be fine. Check with the theatre if there is any water offered.

lakesiders · 21/12/2024 00:14

Do they need to eat for medical reasons? Otherwise it's not really a long time to go 1.5 hours without a drink or snack? Have one when you come out. We've never had food or drink inside the theatre, only in the intermission.

Ablondiebutagoody · 21/12/2024 00:13

I'm sure that you can get away with if you want to but why do you need to?

GiveItAGoMalcom · 21/12/2024 00:13

Eat before you go in and you won't need a snack.

Not sure about why you'd need water either, but in London they're normally about £3 if you really need a bottle.

NeedSomeComfy · 21/12/2024 00:11

Why will you need to take a small snack and a bottle of water for 90 minutes? Children are capable of lasting for an hour and a half without hydration!
I have taken my DC (now 4) to many shows over the years, most recently a ballet which was about 2 hrs long. No-one ate or drank, and no-one had a problem with that.

Original poster
Lookforthegoodthings · 21/12/2024 00:10

Anyone?

OP posts: