PRINCE.EDWARD.ISLAND (CBC) - The Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown has begun to allow drinking during some performances.

While many theatres across the country allow bottled water into performances, the Confederation Centre is permitting audience members to sip any drink bought at intermission during certain shows.

"The crowd went wild when we announced we were going to allow it," David MacKenzie, chief executive of the Confederation Centre, said in an interview with CBC News.

The arts centre - comprising three theatres and an art gallery - host major concerts and an annual summer theatre festival.

The centre is hoping the free-flowing drinks, allowed only at adult-oriented events, will draw a bigger audience.

"It will certainly make the experience more enjoyable and, hopefully, if we do that more people will come," MacKenzie said.

Alcohol wouldn't be allowed in the family oriented musical Anne of Green Gables, but it would be at an adult event such the upcoming appearance of Leonard Cohen or the musical The Ballad of Stompin' Tom.

This season is a test-run for the new policy on booze in the theatre, but MacKenzie said he's not worried about rowdiness.

People will have a two-drink limit - and they can only buy their drinks during the 15-20 minutes the bar is open during intermission, he said.

Some theatre patrons said were worried about a change of atmosphere with the new policy.

"Because it takes a different crowd. It takes a little class away from the performance," theatre patron Debora Percival told CBC News.

But others pointed out that liquor is permitted in performances in South America and other parts of the world.

Theatre producer Campbell Webster, of Charlottetown-based Campbell Webster Entertainment, agrees beer or wine would be welcome in an appropriate production.

"So it makes sense that since it is a show for adults and a party, that you have drinks," he said.

MacKenzie said that as a result of the policy change the centre has hired additional staff to clean up the theatres, and is taking precautions against spills: "We're going to have cups with lids for all the drinks so it shouldn't be a problem."

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