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Original poster

Matilda - should I show 5 yr old the film before seeing the show?

24 replies

naivetyisthenewblack · 13/10/2018 03:05

We're going to see Matilda the show.

My 10 yr old's read the book loads and knows the story.

My 5 year old's not really got into chapter books yet (even with us reading them to her). She loses interest before the we've got through them. She much prefers picture books still (or having a go at writing her own stories and reading them!) so I think the book's out.

DP's suggested showing her the film so she understands the story.

What do you think?

I guess musicals can be harder to understand can't they? And she's a bit younger than the target audience for it - isn't she?

Have anyone seen it? What do you think?

OP posts:

moredoll · 13/10/2018 03:14

Tell her the story spread out over a few nights. Get your older DD to join in.

askingalways · 13/10/2018 03:49

No, she doesn't need to see the film before the show.
Keep it as a surprise, although the story is the same you don't need to be able to connect them.

RadishesAndLentils · 13/10/2018 06:23

I wouldn't see the film first. The stage play isn't an adaptation of the film. It's another different adaptation of the book.

Not sure how much of the story she needs to understand. The goodies and baddies are obvious and the songs are BRILLIANT.

Bit scary though.

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AdventuringThroughLife · 13/10/2018 06:28

Id wondered about it for my 10 year old but it would be too much for my 6 year old!

Seth · 13/10/2018 06:34

If you do anything before you go, I would download the soundtrack. It's brilliant. I took my DD when DS was too young to go, and the CD was on loads in the car / house as she loved the songs . By the time we saw the show again and DS cane he knew all the songs which made him love it all the more. Granted there's a few duff ones in there but overall it's brilliant. Such a good show. Enjoy!

quackaday · 13/10/2018 07:03

No - the show is miles better than the film and your 5yo will probably understand it. It's visually and aurally engaging even if they don't follow the story to a T. My 5yo wasn't too fussed about going tbh but once we were there he loved it 😁

Inthetropics · 13/10/2018 08:00

I'd keep it as a surprise.

Witchend · 13/10/2018 09:39

Film's very different to the musical. It would be more likely to confuse her.

tinstar · 13/10/2018 11:35

Tell her the story spread out over a few nights. Get your older DD to join in.

^^ This

TheNumberfaker · 13/10/2018 11:39

The film is slightly different to the book and also to the musical. I have seen the musical twice, both times were brilliant. Some bits of it might be slightly scary for a 5 year old. Depends on maturity I suppose. I would persist with the book.

Tablefor4 · 13/10/2018 12:13

Listen to the sound track. For children I think it enhances the experience to know what's coming rather than detracting as it might an adult. It is a very wordy, witty show and TBH not sure how much most 5 yo will get of the story as opposed to loving the dancing. Your 10 yo will love it!

The film bears next to no relation to the book,

Justlikedevon · 13/10/2018 12:47

No don't- dd was gutted that the show was not like the film.

Original poster

naivetyisthenewblack · 13/10/2018 14:32

OK, not the film!

Brilliant idea about listening to the sound track. I hadn't thought of that, thanks.

I expect it might be a bit hard for DD to really understand what's going on - but she really loves singing and dancing. If she knows the songs beforehand that'll really help.

We could try the book but my expectations are low - she's not got into any chapter books yet.

OP posts:

CarolDanvers · 13/10/2018 14:34

It’s for ages 6 and over. Personally I would wait till she’s older. My dd loves it but didn’t till she was 9. I don’t think she’d have got it or enjoyed it that much before that.

MyDcAreMarvel · 13/10/2018 14:34

Matilda the musical is six plus , it’s scary in parts.

MyDcAreMarvel · 13/10/2018 14:34

Xpost.

Original poster

naivetyisthenewblack · 13/10/2018 14:34

How scary is it exactly?

I'll sit next to her and we can cuddle if she'd a bit scared. She's usually fairly good with scary stuff. I don't show her a lot of scary TV content but she does play some games with her older brother I raised my eyebrows at and she was fine.

(Nothing totally unsuitable, just scarier than I'd have expected she'd want to watch / play with had you asked me).

OP posts:

CarolDanvers · 13/10/2018 14:35

It’s long as well. Honestly I think she’s too young.

MyDcAreMarvel · 13/10/2018 14:36

My seven year old cried but she is sensitive.

MyDcAreMarvel · 13/10/2018 14:37

It was a loud bang and lights dimmed can’t remember the specific scene.

Justlikedevon · 13/10/2018 14:57

Dd was bored but not scared. She saw it at 8.

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 13/10/2018 15:01

Nobody ever should see the horriwble anericanised smudge bucket of crap the film is!

Its nothing like the book or musial

Montsti · 13/10/2018 15:05

I took my 6 year old daughter recently and she absolutely loved it (as did I!)...there was only one slightly scary bit imo and she put her hands in her ears but was fine...

It really is a great show! I haven’t seen the movie though but it made no difference...

Stuckforthefourthtime · 13/10/2018 15:21

My 5 year old loves the book and loved the show. It's a great idea to listen to the soundtrack first, it is very very wordy (I think too much or some of the actors, it was hard to make out at times), but a great experience. Have fun!

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