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Original poster

Minimum age for pantomime

39 replies

Confuseddotcotton · 21/09/2019 17:10

I want to give my sister an ‘experience’ present for Christmas rather than a physical present, as she lives in a small flat and is running out of space. Her daughter has plenty of toys.

Thinking of getting her some theatre tickets

My niece will have just turned 2 in December, is this too young for a local panto? Traditional one, with panto dame, dancing and songs.

I am well aware this might be a stupid question, but I have no experience of kids and what is relevant for what age! I want to keep it a surprise so don’t want to ask my sis!

OP posts:
maternityleave234 · 21/09/2019 17:12

Hmm my DS wouldn’t have had the attention span at that age to be honest.... but I do know some children who would do......could you get something else Christmas related?
Ie a Santa experience for a park or similar? And gift it before Xmas?

Eleanoryellow89 · 21/09/2019 17:14

4 or 5 I think minimum

CottonSock · 21/09/2019 17:14

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Christmas Theatre
TheCanterburyWhales · 21/09/2019 17:15

Yes, too young.
Pantomimes go on for hours, and the naff slapstick is full of innuendo.
Your sister would probably have to keep getting up and taking her out so as not to disturb everyone else.

I first took dd when she was about 5 I think.

CatsCatsCats11 · 21/09/2019 17:16

Have a look at the Julia Donaldson plays if there's any near you, perfect for that age they only last an hour.

hormonesorDHbeingadick · 21/09/2019 17:16

Have a look and see if there are any local children’s show often theatres have shows designed for little children eg the tiger who came for tea.

Sillyshell · 21/09/2019 17:16

We took our 2 and 3 year old last year and think they were a bit too young. My son fell asleep through most of it and our daughter was pretty good but was getting restless towards the end

TeenPlusTwenties · 21/09/2019 17:17

I would say that was too young.

However, for the same price could you get annual membership to a farm or zoo or some other similar place (assuming your sister could get to it)? That could be the gift that keeps giving all year.

Otherwise, a CBeebies type show or mini-play like The Gruffalo could be good.

Original poster
Confuseddotcotton · 21/09/2019 17:23

Okay, I’m obviously way out! Will save that idea for a couple of years.

I’ll look out for any of the suggestions above. Niece is a major peppa pig fan already if anyone knows of anything related to that!

Membership to local swimming pool might be an alternative, she loves taking niece swimming.

OP posts:
TheDIsiilusionedAnarchist · 21/09/2019 17:23

Depends. Mine was 2yo last December and we went to the pantomime on Boxing Day. I thought he was too young, not especially bright or verbal. I’d booked aisle seats and was ready to escape but he loved it. Don’t think he got the story but it was bright and colourful and he loved the slapstick.

On the other hand I’d agree a museum membership or something like a kiwicrate or whirli subscription would be a better present

TooStressyTooMessy · 21/09/2019 17:23

I think it’s much too young as well, sorry. Love the idea of an experience present though. Something like National Trust membership of vouchers for soft play might work.

TooStressyTooMessy · 21/09/2019 17:24

There’s Peppa pig world, in Southampton I believe? Depends where they live of course!

Original poster
Confuseddotcotton · 21/09/2019 17:28

Thanks for the ideas. I’ll look in to local places that do annual memberships, that’s a good idea.

I wonder if council run swimming pools do anything like that, sister loves taking niece swimming and their local pool is a normal council run one.

OP posts:
BiggerBoat1 · 21/09/2019 17:28

There's a Peppa Pig stage show. Maybe see if that's on at any local theatres?

Original poster
Confuseddotcotton · 21/09/2019 17:29

Southampton is a bit of a trek unfortunately, I am sure it will be visited at some point though!

OP posts:
TooStressyTooMessy · 21/09/2019 17:30

Our local leisure centres do swim passes. Not sure if you can buy them for someone else though but you could check. Or even (depends how you feel about giving cash) money in a pretty envelope labelled to use for swimming.

Soola · 21/09/2019 17:31

Age will vary. It should be when they understand they have to go to the toilet beforehand so as to not interrupt the performance and to sit still and not spoil it for others with chatter, crying etc other than enthusiastically joining in the laughter and applause when required.

Original poster
Confuseddotcotton · 21/09/2019 17:32

Just checked, peppa pig stage show is on local to us in December!
Could be a perfect present.

It’s 1hr 25 mins though, would that be okay for a just turned 2 yr old?

OP posts:
Invisimamma · 21/09/2019 17:32

A bit young for pantomime yet, our local theatre usually does an under 5s Xmas show though and it's always fab!

Softplay vouchers too, or somewhere like a farm or animal park is great for that age.

I love experience presents because we have too much stuff already and days out are expensive!

Strawberrypancakes · 21/09/2019 17:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TeamLannister · 21/09/2019 17:39

I also think that's too young. There was a couple in front of us last year with two wee ones who cried & gurned, both had to be taken out at different times. Neither parent got to see the whole thing & both seemed massively stressed. The shows can be very crowded and really loud, at that age my DD would have freaked out.

TooStressyTooMessy · 21/09/2019 17:39

If it’s the Peppa Pig show it will be geared for very young children so it could be great for them! I think it just depends - are they the sort of child that NEVER stays in one place or do you think they could give it a go. As long as you wouldn’t mind having to leave if it’s too much for her then it could be great!

kenandbarbie · 21/09/2019 17:43

I've taken two year olds to pants before. They've enjoyed it much more than gruffalo type shows.

KnifeAngel · 21/09/2019 17:52

Not too young. We go every year as a whole family. The ages have ranged from newborns to one person in their 90's.

loopy42 · 21/09/2019 17:53

Took my then two year old daughter to see both the peppa pig stage show and the Ben and holly one.

She absolutely loved it totally geared towards younger children, and as the theatre will be filled with other young children there will be no pressure on you sis to keep DN quiet and in her seat in fact the children are encouraged to get up and dance at various points throughout the show