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Original poster

What do you eat at the theatre

111 replies

Mistlefrog · 14/11/2022 12:59

I’m going to the theatre for the first time next month and I know it sounds silly but I don’t know what to expect.
Because of work and travel time I won’t have time to have dinner first, do I buy snacks there, or can I take food with me? Is it like the cinema? Or do i just need to be hungry until it’s over.

also do I have to get there much earlier than it starts? Or is 10 minutes to find my seat ok? I don’t have the tickets yet just the booking which says 7.30pm.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mistlefrog · 15/11/2022 09:20

Thanks so much @LozzaChops101 ! Im really looking forward to it. I hope it’s as good as I imagine

and thank you everyone for the helpful advice, it’s very reassuring for someone with absolutely no reference points for this and no idea what to expect. Though I do feel like some of you approached this as though I’d suggested that I was planning on taking an egg sandwich and family sized bag of kettle chips in and you were already annoyed at me 😂

How do I know what time the performance will end so I can book dinner? Will it say on the ticket when I get it?

OP posts:
Harrysnippleno3 · 15/11/2022 09:25

How do I know what time the performance will end so I can book dinner? Will it say on the ticket when I get it?

The website usually says the run time

Comefromaway · 15/11/2022 09:47

What is the show?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Events & celebrations Theatre
WindyHedges · 15/11/2022 09:54

Ring the box office and ask what time the show finishes. Allow about 15 minutes to get out of the theatre and get to the restaurant.

Essexgirlupnorth · 15/11/2022 09:59

Did go to a matinee and there was hen do eating a Tesco meal deal in the theater but mostly is generally sweets and snacks they sell with ice cream in the interval.

Oblomov22 · 15/11/2022 10:03

Your attitude is a bit odd. Is it a cost or a time issue. Because if you aren't going to do the pre show dinner thing mentioned, surely you do a humoungous lunch at home before you set off, then eat a wrap or similar as you are walking from the car park to the theatre?

Original poster
Mistlefrog · 15/11/2022 13:04

Oblomov22 · 15/11/2022 10:03

Your attitude is a bit odd. Is it a cost or a time issue. Because if you aren't going to do the pre show dinner thing mentioned, surely you do a humoungous lunch at home before you set off, then eat a wrap or similar as you are walking from the car park to the theatre?

Id say your attitude is odd, for assuming that ‘surely’ everyone’s day works the same as yours and that everyone has the same reference points and understanding as you. I said it was a time thing already. And I said I don’t know the culture of the theatre, and what is appropriate or common.

thanks to pp, I’ll check the run time or call the box office once I get the tickets

OP posts:
Oblomov22 · 15/11/2022 13:25

Eh? I never made any assumptions about anyone else's working day, nor yours. Everyone on mn works different hours, don't work at all and various different variables.

SayyestoJRM · 15/11/2022 15:14

Oblomov22 · 15/11/2022 10:03

Your attitude is a bit odd. Is it a cost or a time issue. Because if you aren't going to do the pre show dinner thing mentioned, surely you do a humoungous lunch at home before you set off, then eat a wrap or similar as you are walking from the car park to the theatre?

Your attitude is a 'bit odd' to assume thatt to eat a wrap or similar as one walks from the car park to the theatre is the done thing.

Comefromaway · 15/11/2022 15:19

Your attitude is a 'bit odd' to assume that to eat a wrap or similar as one walks from the car park to the theatre is the done thing.

Well I go to the theatre multiple times a year and it would be very much the done thing for me if I was going straight from work to eat a sandwich/macdonalds as I was walking from my car/the tube station etc to the theatre.

Harrysnippleno3 · 15/11/2022 15:20

Your attitude is a 'bit odd' to assume thatt to eat a wrap or similar as one walks from the car park to the theatre is the done thing.

People walk about losing eating stuff like this every day. Totally normal.

picklemewalnuts · 15/11/2022 15:28

Back in the day, theatres sold boxes of chocolates (so unwrapped chocolates) and callard and bowser sweets- butterscotch or Nougat- in sliver paper wrappers. Also I seem to remember Maltesers in the little cardboard tray box.

They always seemed so luxurious.

And ice cream in the interval, of course.

FreakyFrie · 15/11/2022 15:32

I went to see wicked recently. Lots of food and drink sold. Tons of people eating….. I mean why wouldn’t they when they sale it there for you to buy!

I went to M&S before and got some snacks to save money but lots of people eat in the theatre.

Comefromaway · 15/11/2022 15:34

They don't sell hot food or sandwiches etc at Wicked. Expensive slushies in themed cups, tubs of posh crisps and lots of sweets, chocolate or popcorn.

guidedbythelightt · 15/11/2022 15:36

I don't eat at the theatre.

Original poster
Mistlefrog · 15/11/2022 16:10

Oblomov22 · 15/11/2022 13:25

Eh? I never made any assumptions about anyone else's working day, nor yours. Everyone on mn works different hours, don't work at all and various different variables.

You told me my attitude was odd because surely I’d have a large lunch at home and a sandwich.
perhaps I am unable to have a large lunch or perhaps I’m not at home. It’s unkind to tell someone they have an odd attitude simply because they are not doing things how you may.
and why would I have a sandwich in the car park, if it’s quite customary to eat at the theatre (it isn’t, but I didn’t know that in the op)

anyway it looks like part of the experience may be to have an ice cream at the interval and dinner after so I will do that and try to have something in my bag to eat on the drive there for a snack.

OP posts:
SayyestoJRM · 15/11/2022 17:34

I don't get why theatre goers can't go for a couple of hours without eating unless of course there is a medical need to do so.

guidedbythelightt · 15/11/2022 17:39

I'm curious as to why you've never been to the theatre before. My 4yo has been three times already 😂

QuietYou · 15/11/2022 17:41

I wish the posters on this thread had been at the theatre I was at the other day. There was rustling and chomping galore plus someone behind me crunching a water bottle repeatedly 😤

Original poster
Mistlefrog · 15/11/2022 18:03

guidedbythelightt · 15/11/2022 17:39

I'm curious as to why you've never been to the theatre before. My 4yo has been three times already 😂

Well I thought it was obvious, not every family has theatre money,
then once you’re an adult having never been it’s not likely to be something you plan, especially when you don’t know what to expect and everyone here seems quite irritated about the eating and the arrival times, so if there are ‘rules’ and etiquette you don’t know it can be intimidating.

OP posts:
stuntbubbles · 15/11/2022 18:11

guidedbythelightt · 15/11/2022 17:39

I'm curious as to why you've never been to the theatre before. My 4yo has been three times already 😂

Congratulations on not understanding financial privilege, I guess.

QuietYou · 15/11/2022 18:29

guidedbythelightt · 15/11/2022 17:39

I'm curious as to why you've never been to the theatre before. My 4yo has been three times already 😂

Fucking hell!

LexMitior · 15/11/2022 18:41

Do not eat in the theatre fgs. It's antisocial, makes a noise, and can't you manage two hours without food???

FreakyFrie · 15/11/2022 18:47

OP you can eat what you want. They sale food and drink, because you are allowed to eat it, buy some and eat it. Have a great time.

Harrysnippleno3 · 15/11/2022 18:48

guidedbythelightt · 15/11/2022 17:39

I'm curious as to why you've never been to the theatre before. My 4yo has been three times already 😂

Are you seriously laughing at someone because they have never been to the theatre?

Check your privilege Biscuit