Theatre to Permit Alcoholic Beverages in Auditorium

A historic theatre will soon permit alcoholic beverages to be brought into its auditorium, marking a first for the venue. Previously, patrons at the Gaiety Theatre in Douglas were restricted to consuming beverages at the bar solely before performances or during intervals, with no provision for taking drinks into the seating area. According to Villa Gaiety, the government-owned entity operating the venue, the decision to expand the licensed premises is intended to “enhance audience experience” and increase revenue. Following the approval of the application by the licensing court, the alteration is anticipated to be put into effect in February 2025. A public consultation conducted in September revealed that the majority of respondents opposed the proposals, with 650 individuals expressing opposition compared to 526 in support. Villa Gaiety underscored that alcoholic beverages would not be offered during children’s performances or matinee showings, that only reusable plastic cups would be permitted inside the auditorium, and that the bars would not operate during the performances themselves. The operator stated that the modification to licensing “simply enable our customers to take their drink into the auditorium and enjoy it, without the need to rush to finish their drink either pre-show or during the interval”. It further added, “Our team will work to carefully maintain respectful behaviour of the theatre with alcohol consumption added in to this mix and rectify any damage caused from accidental drink spills or other incidents.” Additionally, security and bag inspections are slated for implementation during particular events. The operator, an entity within the Department of Education, Sport and Culture, indicated that the 125th anniversary of the Victorian-era theatre in 2025 rendered it the “opportune year” for this adjustment. The effects of this policy shift are also scheduled for review three months following its introduction.