FOOD consumption in theatre during performances should be prohibited.
The only way to do it is not to offer ice creams or snacks during the break in the seating area, but to limit it only to the bar, not to allow consumption of any snacks during the performance and to educate young generations that opening a packet of crisps during a theatre performance is not good manners.
I grew up in continental Europe, moving to England as a student. As a theatre lover, I continued with my passion of going to theatre very often. I was completely bemused by the practice of snacking during the performance.
I was torn between feelings of excitement at watching great actors on stage (Mark Rylance, Judy Dench, Kristin Scott Thomas to name just a few) and the complete shock of having interruptions by popcorn and crisps munching.
This behaviour would be unimaginable in theatres in Berlin, Prague, Belgrade, Vienna or Athens.
The situation with performances for children is even worse. I recently watched Annie and Gangsta Granny at the New Theatre and could hardly hear the actors as snacking started even before the curtain went up.
I don’t need to mention that my strict rule of not allowing my children any snacks during the performance is not very popular with them.
The only way to stop this cultural inertia if so many of us disagree with this behaviour and find it unacceptable is to stop allowing snacking during performances.
It can start with a simple message: ‘Please switch off your mobile phones and pack your crisps ready for the first break or after the performance.’ Sales of snacks and drinks will not be affected, just shifted in place and time to show much more respect to the actors and to the audience.
DANIELA PETROVIC
William Lucy Way
Oxford
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