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Original poster

London Musical Recommendation with older kids

35 replies

Villamaria · 09/05/2022 13:07

Am hoping for musical recommendations for London in August, will be bringing DS 16 and 12 and DD 14.
Thinking of Hamilton or Back to the Future? The youngest mentioned Harry Potter but we are going Sunday to Wednesday so it doesn’t look like a runner. Any recs appreciated!

OP posts:
AtillatheHun · 09/05/2022 13:10

If heathers is back on by then and the 12 year old can deal with serious language, it’s brilliant.

Duvetdweller · 09/05/2022 13:10

Back to the Future is amazing! So is Hamilton but back to the future is more teen friendly I would say, especially if they’ve seen the film

Comefromaway · 09/05/2022 13:10

Hamilton is the superior show but I think it is more for MT/theatre fanatics who recognise the innovative staging and choreography and clever lyrics.

Back to the Future I am glad I saw it, the actors are fantastic and the special effects out of this world. I found the first half a bit slow but it picked up. I wouldn't rush back whereas I would for Hamilton. BTTF certainly has popular appeal.

The latest thing is & Juliet, I've not seen it yet and have heard differing opinions.

imnotwhoyouthinkiam · 09/05/2022 13:12

BTTF is brilliant. I took DS1 last year for his 17th.
He wants to see Hamilton this year.

TBF my teens want to see pretty much every musical in existence, but Hamilton is to of the list this year.

Comefromaway · 09/05/2022 13:13

imnotwhoyouthinkiam · 09/05/2022 13:12

BTTF is brilliant. I took DS1 last year for his 17th.
He wants to see Hamilton this year.

TBF my teens want to see pretty much every musical in existence, but Hamilton is to of the list this year.

Yup, I've got two like that. Dd has even managed to get herself a part time job working at one theatre.

We are saving for Newsies. We've been waiting a long time for that one.

Comefromaway · 09/05/2022 13:14

No spoilers for others but one of dd's housemates works backstage at BTTF and is one of the people responsible for "THE" special effect.

FelicityRelaxington · 09/05/2022 13:22

Mine loved Hamilton

Original poster
Villamaria · 09/05/2022 15:06

Ah thanks for all the replies, I am maybe leaning more towards Back to the Future but am also thinking could we do 2 shows in 3 nights, I know I could just not sure about the kids!
thanks all 😊

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 09/05/2022 15:11

We usually do two shows at a time s the expense for us is the train down there so it makes sense to do more than one show rather than separate trips.

MillicentFaucet · 09/05/2022 15:27

www.eno.org/your-visit/ways-to-save-offers/under-21s-come-free/
Not sure if this is your thing OP but English National Opera are doing My Fair Lady this summer and under 21s get free tickets with at least one paying adult.

Original poster
Villamaria · 09/05/2022 20:14

MillicentFaucet · 09/05/2022 15:27

www.eno.org/your-visit/ways-to-save-offers/under-21s-come-free/
Not sure if this is your thing OP but English National Opera are doing My Fair Lady this summer and under 21s get free tickets with at least one paying adult.

Thanks Millicent, not sure on the opera but good to know!

OP posts:
Turmerictolly · 09/05/2022 20:25

BTTF was a bit slow in the first half and we found the dad character a bit irritating. Come from Away is great and my then 14 yr old loved it. It's a bit shorter I think than some other shows too.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 09/05/2022 20:32

Saw Come from Away and everyone loved it but I want to say Six is absolutely brilliant. Bit shorter so no interval and it flew by.
Have seen lots and Six just so much fun-highly recommend!!

IThinkIMadeItWorse · 09/05/2022 20:36

If you are looking for August then Official London Theater are running their Kids Week promotion again this year with children under 18 going free when accompanied by an adult. Shows not announced yet but they usually have a good selection.

officiallondontheatre.com/kids-week/

Titsywoo · 09/05/2022 20:38

My 15 and 17 year olds loved Book of Mormon but not good for a 12 year old. Matilda is also great for all ages.

Franklin12 · 09/05/2022 20:43

Didn’t like Hamilton but Les mis……

Firesidefox · 09/05/2022 20:46

Come From Away is fantastic and, even better, NO INTERVAL!

Honestly we LOVED it.

I've heard terrible things about &Juliet so wouldn't go there. School of Rock is also brilliant.

Elevenfourteen · 09/05/2022 20:53

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie was brilliant (much better than the film). My teens loved it. Every teenager should watch it.

parietal · 09/05/2022 21:08

don't bother with &Juliet
Six is great but short
Matilda is great but older kids might not be keen (even if they will love it when they get there)

reluctantbrit · 09/05/2022 21:09

I didn't like Hamilton at all and I am a history nerd (maybe that why I didn't like it).
& Juliet was great, I didn't laugh so much in a long time
Everybody's talking about Jamie is the next on our list.
The Play that Goes Wrong is good as well.
Les Mis is good but a sad.
Six is brilliant, DD wants to go again

Original poster
Villamaria · 09/05/2022 21:57

IThinkIMadeItWorse · 09/05/2022 20:36

If you are looking for August then Official London Theater are running their Kids Week promotion again this year with children under 18 going free when accompanied by an adult. Shows not announced yet but they usually have a good selection.

officiallondontheatre.com/kids-week/

thanks for this, might be a good option for a second night!
Six sounds great too, we are in Ireland so the kids wouldn’t really be aware of the story but not sure if that would matter?

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 09/05/2022 22:32

Elevenfourteen · 09/05/2022 20:53

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie was brilliant (much better than the film). My teens loved it. Every teenager should watch it.

It’s not playing in the west end any longer.

Comefromaway · 09/05/2022 22:33

Come From Away is my favourite show ever (& I’ve seen a lot of shows)

WouldBeGood · 09/05/2022 22:34

We saw And Juliet and it was fab! Don’t know if still on though

Wishihadanalgorithm · 09/05/2022 22:37

We saw BTTF this weekend and we all loved it. The other one I’d recommend (but think it might only be touring) is School of Rock. The Choir of Man might be worth a look but not sure how much teens would enjoy it. I think if your kids have seen Hamilton on Disney+ they would enjoy the show.