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?

Absolutely not.
I hate seeing people eat at the theater and cinema.
Awful.

Always take snacks to the theatre. They bloody sell them downstairs before you go up so don't think they're as uptight about this as people imagine. Especially given it is a showing geared towards children I don't think you'll have any issues.

Last few trips (recent as we are huge theatre goers) in London, our bags were checked. We were allowed to take water in but nothing else.
We bought maltesers from the bar in the interval as very hungry due to arriving at the last minute (traffic) but once the show resumed we put them away. There is nothing worse at a show than paying ££££ for really great seats and having someone next to you crunching away... or unwrapping food!

Eat before, or eat afterwards!

I usually have a cereal bar or some chocolate and no one has ever said anything or noticed when doing a bag check. I have sat next to someone who got out a yoghurt and a tuna sandwich to eat during the performance. That made me want to heave!

One of the issues in London, for example, is that you are often trying to squash a lot in in the day.
I have often been guilty of planning a whole day's activities, museums, art galleries, theatre etc without allowing travelling and eating time, hence ending up starving and trying to fill up on overpriced chocolate buttons at the performance.

They sell sweets at the theatre! Of course it’s ok to have some chocolate or a fruit pastille. Even an interval ice cream is never finished by the time the show restarts

It's interesting how you can tell how often people go to the theatre by their eating habits. Anyone who eats sweets etc during the show hardly ever goes to the theatre. Whereas very regular (i.e. several times a week) theatregoers are the ones who pull out a packed lunch during the interval! I fall in the middle camp (a once a week-er) so I just have wine.

@FelicityBeedle

They sell sweets at the theatre! Of course it’s ok to have some chocolate or a fruit pastille. Even an interval ice cream is never finished by the time the show restarts

How slowly do you eat your ice cream?!

Take your own snacks for the interval and if asked say its for special dietary needs.
Theatre prices are just crazy especially if you have a large family.

I'll probably have a few unwrapped (furry) mints loose in my pocket in case I get a coughing fit, but that's all.
Mil takes a picnic. No idea why as we will have had dinner (or lunch if a matinee) before going.

@TaraR2020
If I’m paying upwards of £4 for a pot of ice cream I’m going to make it last! Plus I’m normally sat right at the back so I’m at the back of the queue to be served

They always used to sell those little cardboard boxes of Wine Gums, Smarties etc in the foyer at the theatre (and cinema). They need to sell those again, they didn't make any noise.