Banning Food in Theatres

I've had 3 bad experiences lately with sitting near people who are either eating smelly food or noisy food, or passing snacks back and forth to the point of distraction. I wish it could just be limited to intermission or more restrictions to keep it QUIET!

I had a terrible time last weekend with the person behind me at Sunset Blvd very loudly crinkling wrappers during the entire first act.

Outside food could honestly be curbed better through security checks, but none of the security guys I know really care to choose that battle. Often, it’s a stern warning that it needs to stay closed during the show.

Even at that, people do get creative in how they hide things, just like at the movies.

quizking101 said: "Outside food could honestly be curbed better through security checks, but none of the security guys I know really care to choose that battle. Often, it’s a stern warning that it needs to stay closed during the show.

Even at that, people do get creative in how they hide things, just like at the movies."

Outside food is not the issue. Plenty of stuff being sold in-theater and I believe at ATG you can basically buy a light boxed dinner to eat during the show.

Phil B said: "Couldn’t agree more. I really don’t understand why theatres generally only cover mobile phone disturbance in their pre-show announcement. Devil Wears Prada (in London) is the only show I’ve ever been to where they specificallysaid in the pre-show announcement that the rustling of food wrappers is really annoying - I hope other theatres follow suit, as it can totally ruin a show if you’re near someone constantly making food noise. I’ve written to ATG to raise this and got nowhere"



The issue now is that no one cares. Asking politely for people to be quiet used to work. Now the shameless entitlement is the norm. I think twice about asking someone around to me to be quiet or turn off their phone because people have become so aggressive. Tuning out a cell phone is better than getting into a shouting match in the middle of a Broadway show. Manners and decorum are out the window these days.

And let’s face it: the pre show announcements are largely ineffective. Audiences are told to not use cellphones and not unwrap lozenges in a cute way, they laugh knowingly, and then they do it anyway.

In broad terms, seeing live theater is sort of like a cross between a movie theater and a concert.

What happens at a concert? People get up for food & drink & bathroom, they have food at their seats, they overspend on merch, they photograph and video the whole thing, they arrive late if not into the opening act.

What happens at a multiplex movie theater? There are no ushers policing audience behavior, there’s food & drink, they arrive late to skip the trailers, and now people have even taken to snapping pics of the screen as proof that they’re there.

The decorum is bad, no question. But these things have all been steadily building for years and it’s not a problem exclusive to theatre.

Jordan Catalano said: "ATG is doing everything in their power to ensure Broadway turns into the West End with every person chugging a bottle of champagne and an eating a tub of popcorn. Two days in a row now in London I’ve had drunk people cause disturbances mid show. It happens far too often now and yes almost every show I see here at some point a champagne bottle makes a ton of noise.


What I think is that audiences need a total re-education on theater etiquette. I had this discussion with a friend a while ago and said it would be great if preshow announcements were done (and switched up regularly to keep it fresh) by a big star like say LuPone who says something like “unwrap everything right now. Nobody wants to hear it during the show and for gods sake doing it slowly is even worse. We love your applause but keep it to that - screaming is annoying to everyone around you and the actors on the stage. And stop shaking your ice in your cup, you’re at the theater not a Texas Roadhouse.”

"

The shaking ice in a cup thing is the only time I've ever been annoyed enough to snap at somebody. Was seeing Angels in America at the Neil Simon Theatre and the person behind me was taking a drink, then lowering the drink down, shaking it, repeat over and over. We were in the mezz and so when they lowered and shook the glass it was literally right behind my head. I thought they'd stop so I let it go, but after like 5 straight minutes of it I finally turned around and told him he had to stop and he finally put his drink down. Why anyone would think shaking a drink in the middle of a play is a good idea is beyond me

Here’s an idea: what if there was a toothless and overly-long letter printed in the program for every show reminding people of how to behave? That would be a quick solve to all problems right???????

There needs to be a mandatory video and quiz before purchasing tickets lol

Would make zero difference if they did. Far too many people are fat, classless, slovenly, vulgar, loud pigs. No clue how to behave in public. And worse, they don’t care. They take an odd pride in being feral. Can’t shame the stupid and shameless.

Menken Fan said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Here’s an idea: what if there was a toothless and overly-long letter printed in the program for every show reminding people of how to behave? That would be a quick solve to all problems right???????"

A couple of years ago, right after lockdown, Playbills included something like this. I'm not sure if they still do anymore.

"

They have guidelines on how to act everywhere including Broadway playbills, off broadway and many regional theaters. I remember the long list in the program I Can Get it For You Wholesale at The Signature. If only all places could be like Carnegie Hall that allows no bull*hit and offers Ricola cough drops (wrapped in paper) that has a sign about not unwrapping anything during the performances. Everyone is respectful there for some reason.

Take a goddamned note, Broadway.