The English National Opera is reportedly banning people from bringing food and drink into the auditorium after a few hard-partying opera-heads attempted to smuggle vodka in disguised as water.

Stuart Murphy, who became chief executive of the ENO in April, said people had ‘decanted vodka into water bottles’ but accepted the move was ‘a bit annoying’.

Audience members heading to a performance of Richard Strauss’s Salome were made to empty their water bottles across the steps of the Coliseum, in St Martin’s Lane, according to punter Calum Kennedy.

“Sorry it’s a bit annoying but trust me – it would be far more annoying for you to have to witness the alternative” – ENO chief Stuart Murphy

The opera fan sent a message to Mr Murphy on Twitter saying the move “feels like unwelcoming craziness”.

But Mr Murphy replied: “What’s unwelcoming is people decanting vodka into water bottles and ruining the experience for the vast majority of our beloved audience.”

“We’ve had to do this to make sure you and other great opera fans have a really nice time.