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Original poster

Anyone been to Harry Potter and the Cursed child?

23 replies

TeenTimesTwo · 21/09/2018 11:47

We are going soon very soon on a w/e date.

It says Please note that food or drink purchased outside of the theatre will not be permitted inside the building.

Does that just mean you can't take a burger and fries in, or does it also mean they check all bags for any food and tell you to throw it out?

We are travelling up by train and want e.g. snacks for the way home and water for the day.

Is the shop heaving?

OP posts:

IsTheRainEverComingBack · 21/09/2018 11:57

They will check your bag for food but it’s not a very intense check so you might be able to hide things. You can buy drinks/snacks for the way home. They will expect you to buy your water there. You’ll need to get lunch/dinner between the shows somewhere anyway.

IsTheRainEverComingBack · 21/09/2018 11:57

On the way home that should say

hollyjollychristmas · 21/09/2018 12:00

Are you seeing both plays on the same day? There is a gap between them of about 2 and a half hours so you can go to a restaurant or wherever nearby for a meal which is what we did. It is a good play but a long day.

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Original poster

TeenTimesTwo · 21/09/2018 12:17

Thank you both, yes both on the same day.

We have the meals planned, and are happy to buy water and ice creams at the theatre.
But after the play we will probably not be home until 1am, so I want to have something put by. I was thinking fruit cake.

Follow up question then, how late do the food/cafe establishments at Waterloo Station stay open?

OP posts:

PippaPug · 21/09/2018 12:23

This has been the only theatre which really goes through the bags and do throw anything they find food or drink related away - there were sack filled of food - you could hide it but if they find it they will take it!

Original poster

TeenTimesTwo · 21/09/2018 12:30

Pippa thanks.

OP posts:

Bunnyhop1502 · 21/09/2018 12:31

In regards to the shop - if the queue is too long you can fill out an order form and collect your items after the show! We went to the pub right outside the theatre which did a lovely pre-theatre menu. London stations usually have a McDonald’s or Burger King open pretty late.

cranberryx · 21/09/2018 12:36

They did do a through bag check when I went last year. The merch shop on the ground floor wasn't rammed, but the bar on the middle floor was actually pretty empty when we first went in as everyone just wanted to find their seats.

I went to both showings on the weekend.

There is a wetherspoons about 2 mins down the road and a five guys around the corner, that's where we went for lunch.

It depends where your sitting, but if you are on the third floor up (forgotten the name!) Then it's pretty close quarters, and it would be fairly inconsiderate to take a burger and fries up IMO.

TheHobbitMum · 21/09/2018 12:38

I went a few weeks ago, they really do check all bags.and there was a body pat down too. Whatever they find is thrown away, huge bins of food wasted

Amazing show though you'll Iove it

Original poster

TeenTimesTwo · 21/09/2018 12:44

I wasn't intending to take burger and fries in!

So maybe cake I can afford to lose is worth a punt but not much else.

I knew MN would know.

OP posts:

IsadoraQuagmire · 21/09/2018 16:53

That's astonishing, that they do a thorough check. Every other theatre (or other places, like museums/galleries) they just give a cursory glance, hardly worth doing! That's if they do one at all...
I'd be livid if they stole my food

teaandtoast · 21/09/2018 16:56

Wow! Is this a particularly naice theatre or something?

Teaonthelawn · 21/09/2018 17:03

They let people in 60 mins before the show starts - queue runs around the outside - lots of security - bag check and body check - it's all fine but you probably won't get the cake inside - sweets/drinks very expensive. Fabulous show - if you see both in one day - part two does feel a bit long. If you are taking real potter fans - the cast sign autographs at the stage door (takes about 20mins) after the show and is really well organised.

Smallinthesmoke · 21/09/2018 17:08

I went last month. It was a very thorough check and pat down. My rucksack has four pockets and they dug around in every one, which is most unusual. They put the confiscated food and drink in a big box and you can fish it out at the end, if no-one else has lifted it! There is free tap water (containers and cups at each bar).
It was fab btw. If you are taking a kid, arrive early as there are cushions to borrow and this made a real difference in the cheap seats. Also the cast will sign your programme if you hang around the stage door afterwards. They were lovely and that was a real highlight for us.

PracticalTacticalBrilliance · 21/09/2018 18:22

I've been a couple of times and was always allowed to keep my water - it's a shame if they've changed that policy.
They definitely don't let you keep food though - they even made me get rid of my cough sweets (which were clearly not actual sweets) and they had to go in the bin.

Taffeta · 21/09/2018 18:26

Why aren’t you allowed to take food in? Is it purely to line their pockets with overpriced sweets and crap they sell at the venue?

If so, that’s very shoddy and I’m frankly surprised at JK Rowling allowing it.

IsTheRainEverComingBack · 22/09/2018 08:59

Taffeta it’s partly for security and partly so you buy their snacks. JKR has literally no jurisdiction over the theatre, it’s nothing to do with her allowing it or not.

Original poster

TeenTimesTwo · 23/09/2018 11:41

Thank you all, it was fab.

No queue at box office when we picked up tickets at 11am.

The entry queue started around 30mins before the 1hr before the performance. They rope off the area in front of the theatre and you queue down the side of the theatre under a small (imperfect) cover.

We were allowed our bottles of water, but gave them our last 2 hot cross buns.

The shop area (a corner of the foyer) was efficient and we made 3 separate purchases at different times without queuing.

By the second show my DD1 was in a lot of pain (back issues) and they found her a chair and took us in via the side disabled access which was ace, and then helped us get a taxi at the end.

We were right near the back of the stalls, but we were nearer the stage than that would mean at our local theatre so were nicely surprised.

Ace day. Thoroughly enjoyed by all (even DH who is not a particular fan). DD2 still asleep now!

Thank you for your advice.

OP posts:

catcatcatcat · 23/09/2018 11:51

What time is the break? I've searched and searched for this! Want to book a table to eat inbetween. Can't wait! Thanks for the tip about the cast signing after, my daughter will definitely want to!

bigchris · 23/09/2018 11:52

Oh it's brilliant isn't it ?!

Original poster

TeenTimesTwo · 23/09/2018 12:08

The first performance is 2hrs 45 including interval. So on Sat the break was at 4:45->queue open 6:30. Different timings on a Sunday iirc.

OP posts:

Original poster

TeenTimesTwo · 23/09/2018 12:11

Some of the special effects were ace, even from near the back.

Most of the audience, unsurprisingly, were very knowledgeable, gasping in the right places. (Except someone I met in queue for ladies who had been brought as a surprise and had only seen the first 3 films!)

OP posts:

catcatcatcat · 23/09/2018 15:00

Thanks v much!!

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