Imelda Staunton: 'Food and drink should be banned in theatres'

Ever sat next to someone eating loudly in the theatre? In a recent interview with Radio Times, Gypsy star Imelda Staunton joined the ongoing conversation about theatre etiquette, with specific reference to the perennial munchers and sippers.

When asked if food and drink should be completely banned in theatres, the Olivier Award-winner said: "Definitely, I don’t know why people can’t engage in just one thing. I don’t understand this obsession with having to eat or drink something at every moment of the day."

The actress, who is soon to appear in Edward Albee’s Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in the West End, echos recent comments made by producer Richard Jordan who complained after witnessing a group eating McDonald's during a performance of Doctor Faustus starring Game of Thrones' Kit Harington.

It also comes as a source told WhatsOnStage that he became distracted during a performance of Dreamgirls, by a member of the audience using their phone to order food from the Ordertorium App, which allows theatregoers in several West End theatres to have food and drink delivered to their seat.