Would you take two 7yo to see Mama Mia?

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

My DD's 7th birthday is coming up, and we've promised to take her and her best friend into London to see a show.

Problem is, DD is massively sensitive and frankly, a bit of a scaredy cat. We've never made it through a whole Disney film. Frozen we had to stop when Elsa conjured the giant snowman. Beauty and the Beast the moment her dad gets to the beast's castle. Little Mermaid the minute Ursula appeared...you get the picture. Her reaction is quite extreme, too, she gets very upset if you try and encourage her to keep watching.

She seems better with live shows oddly - we've seen pantos and other Christmas shows, and ballets, without too much bother.

Anyway, I'm worried that most of the children's shows on at the moment will scare the beejesus out of her. I imagine she'll be terrified by the villains in Matilda, The Lion King, and Aladdin.

However, she's seen the film of Mama Mia and loved it, so she's very keen to see the live show. I've only seen the film, would the live version be too long/boring/inappropriate for two 7 yo girls?

Another show that's been suggested is Wicked, I'm told there's nothing scary in it and it's child-appropriate? Any thoughts on that?

All advice appreciated but please don't start telling me off for her over-sensitivity. We are working on it, but I don't think scaring her to death on her birthday treat is the way forward!

I loved Mama Mia at the theatre. It's fast paced and audience singing along is encouraged.

There are some intense moments in Wicked that I think would probably be quite scary for her.

I took my DD at 7 as we went as a big family group and it had been purchased by a relative as a Christmas present. With the caveat that my DD isn't at all sensitive in the same way as yours, I don't think there is anything that would scare her or be inappropriate in that sense. There is however some swearing (so you would need to be prepared for that) and also it can lead to questions about babies and "knowing who the father is".
We saw it at our local theatre when it was on tour so I'm assuming it is the same version as it where but happy to be corrected if not.

I don't think Matilda is that scary. Its true that Mrs. Trumpball isn't very nice but actually they make up for that by giving her (actually he as shes played by a man) quite a humourous side.

I think I'd choose it for a 7 year old over Mama Mia

There is a dragon in wickec and those flying monkies Take her to mamma mia if she enjoyed the film it is a happy joyful experience

I have a 6 year old who is also quite sensitive (but she doesn't sound as sensitive as your DD), and I wouldn't take her to see Wicked, as pp says, there are some intense moments in there which I don't think my dd would like.

As for Mamma Mia, the west end show is quite different to the film, however there are no scary bits or "bad guys" in so she may be ok.

Ok, so sounds like Wicked isn't an option then! Thank you all, I will need to speak to the friend's parents and see if they have objection to Mamma Mia before making a decision.

Is Miss Trunchbull more of a comedy/panto villain then? Because I remember her being quite disturbing in the book!

Wicked is great but it’s really really loud. The bit with the giant talking wizard’s head hurt my ears! And the Trunchball is pretty scary on stage too! She’s played by a man for maximum effect. How about Awful Auntie?

There is some swearing and inuendo in the stage version of Mamma Mia. It also has a fairly adult theme, ie, which of these three men that Donna had sex with could be the father of her daughter! It may raise some questions that you don’t want to answer?!
However it’s up to you but do check with her friends parents that they are happy before you book tickets.

Sorry, just reread you op and realised that she has already seen the movie, so ignore my comments about it possibly being an inappropriate topic!
Wicked is amazing but very loud and a bit scary in places.
I haven’t seen the Lion King on stage but that may be a possibility?

The Lion kng is amazing on stage it wasn't as overwhelming as Wicked although i cried your Dd might get upset

I can second Lion King it was amazing, but it would depend on how your daughter reacts to Scar, Hyenas and the plot line.

I know you've promised her this trip but it seems like a waste of a special birthday treat. The trouble with the shows mentioned is you won't know how she will react until you're there. And if she gets scared it will be a wasted outing for her and the friend, since it seems encouraging her to continue will make it worse.

How about School of Rock? Nothing scary in that, as far as I can remember. Or, Nativity the Musical? That’s v tame and such a fun show. I would also recommend Lion King or maybe even Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (but perhaps not as much as the other two, but for differing reasons). Wicked does have some slightly loud and mildly perilous parts, as other posters have said. Aladdin is in London at the moment, but that might be suitable. I haven’t seen it. Good luck finding something.

My now 8 year old loves the film and the stage show mama mia. He saw it on stage just after his 7th birthday- loved it! He is now angling for tickets to see Hugh jackman’s one man show......

Matilda is amazing and we took DD for the first time at around the same age. Trunchbull is played more as a panto villain and is more funny than scary.