West End audience at Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf told not to eat during performance

The Harold Pinter theatre showing a different production, before the current show's rule was introduced.
PA Archive/PA Images
Francesca Gillett1 March 2017

A West End play has told theatre-goers not to bring food into performances following concerns over noisy eaters.

The audience of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf at the Harold Pinter theatre has been asked not to eat during the show because some parts are “extremely intense and quiet”.

The Edward Albee play, which opened last week, is the first West End production to make the unusual request, the Times reported.

It stars Imelda Staunton who has previously been quoted as saying she did not “understand this obsession with having to eat or drink something at every moment”.

According to theatre news website The Stage, ticket bookers were told in an email that food could be bought and eaten at bars in the theatre before entering the auditorium or during breaks.

Drinks are allowed to be taken in but only if they are in plastic cups.

Star: Imelda Staunton.
Getty Images

A spokesman for the production told the Times that “food has not been banned at the theatre, rather we have politely requested that patrons refrain from eating during the performance”.

In November last year Vera Drake actress Ms Staunton said food and drink should be banned from the theatre.

It follows comments made by theatre producer Richard Jordan who reported audience members eating McDonalds during Doctor Faustus.

Lucy Hume, from British etiquette experts Debrett’s, told the BBC last year: "A discreet drink or snack is fine, but eating noisy or smelly food is inconsiderate and may affect other audience members' enjoyment of the show - so eat beforehand or wait until the interval."

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