Do you take your own snacks to the theatre?

[thirdistheonewiththehairychest]

Hi. I've booked tickets to take dd10 and dd8 to see Matilda for their birthday. It says in the T&Cs that you can't take your own food and drinks in, but I wonder how strictly they police this? Can you sneak your own in or is that a big no-no?

I’ve been to lots of London theatres and have never had my bag searched. I usually take a packet of chocolate to munch on.

Cinema yes theatre no not a chance

I’ve taken a multipack of ice-cream in before. Single mum on limited budget - why pay £15 for three ice creams when you can buy a box of 3 for £2 🤷🏻‍♀️

We took pastills with us once as DD had a slight cough (years ago) and that was better than her coughing during the performance.

Otherwise, just don't. Sorry but a child old enough to watch Mathilda should be old enough to understand that people are paying a small fortune for tickets and want to watch it without disturbance. Also they should be old enough to survive one hour without a snack.

We recently went to a West End theatre and could pre-order drinks, they had the bar open and sold ice cream. We had water bottles with us though as they asked for people wearing masks and masks make me thirsty so I drunk during the interval.

I've been to the theatre in London 3 times this year and had my bag searched every time, as did the people we were with.

Bottles of water are allowed. SIL had a bag of popcorn taken off her.

A theatre in a small town or city is probably ok but London are strict these days.

The only time I've eaten in the theatre was when DD and I went into town to eat somewhere random when we were offered free tickets to a brilliant show so we rushed to a mini Tesco and bought meal deals which we ate in the interval and whilst waiting for the show to start.

We were too embarrassed as it was to have the food with us let alone snaffling it in front of the kind strangers who gave us the free tickets we were sat next to. So we were very respectful DD was 12

Nope.
Ice cream in the interval. It's tradition!

I usually take a box of Malteasers for nostalgic reasons for the interval but there are no intervals at my local theatre at the moment so was forced to eat them before it started!

Eat beforehand. You can buy things at the interval if you can't manage 2.5 hours without food. Some theatres allow drinks in the auditorium some do not

@MalteseBubs

The only time I've eaten in the theatre was when DD and I went into town to eat somewhere random when we were offered free tickets to a brilliant show so we rushed to a mini Tesco and bought meal deals which we ate in the interval and whilst waiting for the show to start.

We were too embarrassed as it was to have the food with us let alone snaffling it in front of the kind strangers who gave us the free tickets we were sat next to. So we were very respectful DD was 12

What was the show?

You don’t eat in the theatre during a show. Not at all. Not children, not adults.

When we were kids we used to bring a box of chocolates for some reason.

I had to give someone a very hard stare for slooowwwwllly but noisily unwrapping a giant bar of chocolate.

You will be able to take something but why would you

TBH it’s never even occurred to me that snacks aren’t allowed…my bag was searched this summer at West-end theatre, I thought he was looking for bombs, weapons etc and I actually joked “don’t worry, it’s just full of snacks 😆”. My toddler actually ate her lunch during the show, it was only 11am and i could either let her eat without fuss roll out her Father Jack impression, shouting “LUNCH” repeatedly at max volume 🙈

I might add said snacks were for the whole day, not actually intended to eat in the theatre.

@ALittleBitWorrriedNow

I’ve taken a multipack of ice-cream in before. Single mum on limited budget - why pay £15 for three ice creams when you can buy a box of 3 for £2 🤷🏻‍♀️

Did they not melt? Or did you eat them before the show started/during the first act?

I don’t think it’s that unusual and bizarre to take snacks for a show - they sell snacks pre show at the globe and most theatres. If they didn’t want people to eat and drink I don’t think they’d sell food and drink.

I would say take some food if you want but be prepared for them to confiscate since it’s in the rules. In my experience most places won’t.

Please don't eat in the theatre. It's not a café u

Ignore the entirely of batshit crazy Mumsnet OP and take whatever snacks you fancy.

Eating in the theatre is appallingly rude. Think about the actors on stage. Do you imagine they will be able to concentrate with half the auditorium chomping away?
I can’t believe that you can’t go a couple of hours without snacks (health conditions exempt of course).

Eating in the cinema is bad enough, but in the theatre.... just no! Horrible for everyone.

Eating in the theatre is appallingly rude. Think about the actors on stage

Oh come on give them some credit they are professionals!
They are good enough actors to cope with coughing, sneezing people getting up for the bathroom, phones ringing, laughing loudly and as someone who spent many years as a carer people shouting out, screaming plus more.

I agree making noise if you don't have to like eating noisy food during the show is rude for those around you but let's not pretend actors can only preform with utter silence you are doing a disservice to actors!

It’s Matilda not Shakespeare. It’s a pretty noisy show. I’d have a grab-bag bought for a pound or two (just like the ones that the theatres actually sell). Would eat it in the interval but if there’s a few left for the second half then no problem.
Have never been searched.
Bottles of water fine too.

@TheLeadbetterLife

I've just googled it using 'dog' 'suitcase' because I vaguely remember those words being in it

'Dead Dog in a Suitcase'

I always let my DC buy ice cream at the theatre because it seems like an extra special treat to add to the memory.

I love the theatre and can't wait to go again.

I used to love pub theatres they're my favourite. I can't wait to go again.

I’ve never seen anyone eat in a theatre except during the interval (thank god)