Why Doesn't Broadway Sell Ice Cream at Intermission — Page 4

I've just got this vision of me sitting in a west end theatre, wearing a morning suit, eating my interval ice cream successfully whilst over the pond on Broadway you are struggling.

Mr Roxy gets a scoop on his plastic spoon but oh no, it has gone on the floor. That is going to be a big mess to clean up. Why do Americans bother with ice cream in theatre.

Jane now tries to get the ice cream from the card board tub into her mouth, the spoon is loaded, it is heading towards the eating orifice on her face but she has missed. The ice cream has now made a mess on the seat and the person sat behind. And it looked easier to score than miss.

Want to know the biggest offender when it comes to mess? Popcorn. Something you're far more likely to see for sale in an American theatre than a London one. And no, it isn't "easily swept up", it gets everywhere and usually needs a vacuum cleaner as most theatres are carpeted. And if someone drips a bit of ice cream (which again, is rare), we do have cleaners who come in each morning. Tis not the end of the world."

I love that this is now a "which country's theater snacks are messiest" contest with all the indignation that comes with it.

"...eating my interval ice cream successfully whilst over the pond on Broadway you are struggling. Mr Roxy gets a scoop on his plastic spoon but oh no, it has gone on the floor. That is going to be a big mess to clean up. Why do Americans bother with ice cream in theatre. Jane now tries to get the ice cream from the card board tub into her mouth, the spoon is loaded, it is heading towards the eating orifice on her face but she has missed. The ice cream has now made a mess on the seat..."

Thanks for a wonderfully hearty laugh. I too find the worries puzzling, even from this side of the pond.

I am all for banning food, ice, and non-water beverages from inside the auditorium and allowing only things that can be consumed at intermission in the lobby spaces, but unfortunately it seems like that ship has sailed. If anything is to be allowed inside, ice cream is about the most innocuous choice, since it is quiet and small and must be consumed quickly to avoid melting.

"Jane now tries to get the ice cream from the card board tub into her mouth, the spoon is loaded, it is heading towards the eating orifice on her face but she has missed."

Story of my life.

^^^

Lol!

I have been to London and indeed they do serve ice cream at intermission. I also remember having to wade through a mass of ice cream containers on the floor to exit the theater. I can verify that the ginger ice cream was wonderful. However, I go to a show to see a show, not to eat and drink. If I go to a restaurant I don't demand a Bdwy show to be performed as I eat.

Oh, well...the modern world!

I think in London for drinks, they actually give you a glass, and if you don't finish by the time the interval ends, you can switch the drink in some other type of cup thing that is allowed in the theatre. Im sure this encourages people to finish their drinks before act 2 begins. Is this the same thing with Ice Cream as well. I mean, if Ice Cream was really a mess, i don't think that they would continue to do it for so many years.

Have you seen the lines to go to the rest room on Broadway? still very long lol

Perhaps a disposable doggy-bag attached to the back of each seat for your rubbish if they MUST have food/drink in the theatres.

The Shubert Theatres will sell drinks in souvenir plastic sippy cups. Regional theatres do the same. Soda size, rocks size, and even thermal for coffee.

"I think in London for drinks, they actually give you a glass, and if you don't finish by the time the interval ends, you can switch the drink in some other type of cup thing that is allowed in the theatre. Im sure this encourages people to finish their drinks before act 2 begins. Is this the same thing with Ice Cream as well. I mean, if Ice Cream was really a mess, i don't think that they would continue to do it for so many years.

"

I'm surprised by some of the responses here. Just because Pinto is iffy doesn't mean this isn't a good question.

1) I first discovered ice cream on the West End years ago, my first trip to London theatre.

2) apparently no one here is going to any movie megaplexes. The ones near me serve pizza, nachos, hot dogs, sometimes burgers, and, yes, ice cream, usually the chocolate-covered single-bite type. I live not that far from Baltimore and one megaplex sells crab cakes. Another megaplex has a bar up front, and one theatre into which alcoholic drinks can be taken. Along, of course, with burgers and ice cream.

3) Let's not forget that any live theatre worth its salt begs adult patrons to buy its alcoholic drink souvenir sippy cups. I have friends with collections of Shubert Theatre cups. A regional theatre I know even has souvenir thermal cups so audiences can take coffee and coffee drinks inside with them.

" apparently no one here is going to any movie megaplexes. The ones near me serve pizza, nachos, hot dogs, sometimes burgers, and, yes, ice cream, usually the chocolate-covered single-bite type. I live not that far from Baltimore and one megaplex sells crab cakes. Another megaplex has a bar up front, and one theatre into which alcoholic drinks can be taken. Along, of course, with burgers and ice cream."

We're all very aware of that, but we're complaining about those features in broadway houses, not movies.

Anyway, your post reminds me of the movie Amadeus. If I remember correctly, in the opera houses, the patrons were served dinner. It was restaurant chic!

Updated On: 8/12/15 at 09:15 AM