Smelling alcohol on somone's breath is not an indicator that they are
drunk. It means they had a drink. It doesn't take much. It's not much of a blind item other than saying someone has a drink before they attend a show. And since Riedel is not a critic, it only points out that he does what many theatregoers do. True or not, it's certainly an item worthy of Riedel in tone and intent.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian