Mouthing OffWhy dinner theatre needs reviving in Hong Kong – show times force us to eat too early or too late

The usual start time for performing arts events in Hong Kong is 7.30pm or 8pm – which is precisely when most people in the city have dinner

You might not be hungry at 6.30pm, but wait until the show is over and you’re probably hangry. Might performances begin earlier, or later?

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The usual start time for evening concerts or performing art events in Hong Kong is at 7.30pm or 8pm – leaving little time before for people to eat and few options to choose from if eating after a show is over. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 10:15am, 17 Oct 2020Updated: 10:50am, 17 Oct 2020

Last week, for the first time in about eight months, I saw a live play. It was quite a thrill to attend theatre again.

Just the act of gathering at a public venue, joined by a crowd (socially distanced with seats strategically blocked for separation), the anticipation as the lights dim, then seeing actors on stage, was something I didn’t realise I missed so much.

But it also reminded me of one of life’s minor dilemmas I had forgotten about – whether to eat a meal before or after a performance. The usual start time for performing art events in the city is 7.30pm or 8pm, which is precisely when most people in Hong Kong have dinner.

It’s always awkward to have to choose one function over another. Basically, if you’re seeing a show then you can’t have a proper dinner. If you happened to eat lunch late, it’s unlikely you’ll want another meal at 6.30pm. I realise, for some parts of the world that’s a common dinner time, but for many Hongkongers that’s usually when they leave the office.

Socially distanced stage performances have resumed – but do you eat before or after the show? Photo: Getty Images

Waiting to dine until after a performance is not ideal. Dieters don’t want to eat late because they say it’s easier to gain weight or they can’t sleep on a full stomach, and waiting until post-performance tends to make some folks hangry. If it’s a really long show, you can be certain people’s attention will also be distracted from the stage as time goes on.

My issue is that my stomach just can’t keep quiet – it’s quite embarrassing when your gut starts making growling noises, as if some creature inside is threatening an Alien-type escape.