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Original poster

Which West End musical for theatre-loving 12 year old?

87 replies

leccybill · 30/07/2022 14:20

Thinking of doing a day trip to London to see a show with my theatre-mad 12 year old daughter.
We have seen Matilda (touring), Blood Brothers, Hairspray, Les Miserables, and Six. We're seeing the Lion King in December.

What would you recommend?
I think I'm between:
Frozen
Matilda again
Wicked
I'd like to see Dear Evan Hansen but I wonder if it's just a touch grown-up for her and I think it might go on tour when it finishes it's run in October?

OP posts:
AppaTheSixLeggedFlyingBison · 30/07/2022 14:22

Dear Evan Hansen probably wouldnt be great as either the topics would go over her head or will be upsetting for her.

I haven't seen the others. Is she a fan of the frozen movie? If so that might go down well.

cheeseisthebest · 30/07/2022 14:23

Definitely Wicked.

AppaTheSixLeggedFlyingBison · 30/07/2022 14:25

Just re-read the post and saw she is 12, had 8 in my head for some reason. It's depends on her own mental health wether it would be suitable as it does mention suicide a lot which I imagine could be tough for some kids

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12 year olds Theatre
NuffSaidSam · 30/07/2022 14:31

I think I'd go for Wicked.

Dear Evan Hansen is great, but maybe a little bit grown up for her.

Matilda is superb but nice to see something different if she's already seen it (although I've seen it twice and would happily see it again).

There is also &Juliet which could be good for that age. Or Sister Act!

Bernadinetta · 30/07/2022 14:33

From your info and choices I’d say Wicked

everybodystalking · 30/07/2022 14:33

definietely wicked.....she'll love it and you'll be listening to the songs for weeks afterwards!!!

MissyB1 · 30/07/2022 14:35

We took 13 year old ds to see Come From Away, he said it was the best show he's ever seen - and he's seen a lot!

Icequeen01 · 30/07/2022 14:35

We saw Back to the Future last night at the Adelphi Theatre and it was absolutely brilliant. The special effects are amazing and I say this as someone who didn’t want to see it. We didn’t have young DC with us but there were plenty of kids of your DD’s age and they were loving it!

ChicCroissant · 30/07/2022 14:37

Wicked, we really enjoyed it when we saw it late last year. Saw the touring production of Six and loved that too, I'd see that again.

Mariadance · 30/07/2022 14:39

I would recommend Six, took my dd when she was 12 and she absolutely loved it, as did I. The soundtrack is brilliant! I’ve also seen Dear Evan Hanson and although I didn’t bring my dd with me, I wish I had because it delivers a very important message of how harmful social media can be. I think your dd is at the right age with already being at secondary school and will soon be introduced to the scary world of social media. We also saw And Juliet, a really fun musical but does explore gender issues and sexuality. My dd was 14 when we saw it.

Original poster
leccybill · 30/07/2022 14:39

I hadn't considered &Juliet - this could be a contender too?

We were all set on Wicked (she knows lots of the songs) but I read some reviews which were very critical? Of the storyline and the inaudibility of the singing?

OP posts:
42isthemeaning · 30/07/2022 14:41

My ds (13) loved Everybody's Talking About Jamie. So did we!

cheeseisthebest · 30/07/2022 14:42

Wicked is wonderful. My favourite.

Namechangefortoday69 · 30/07/2022 14:42

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Pinkflipflop85 · 30/07/2022 14:51

From your choices I would see Wicked.

neonleopard · 30/07/2022 15:00

We are seeing Beauty and the Beast next month which has just opened in London, the reviews are excellent!

mrwalkensir · 30/07/2022 15:02

which direction are you coming from? Crazy For You at Chichester is wonderful (and probably a lot cheaper than London)

ladygindiva · 30/07/2022 15:04

Another for wicked. I loved it, as did dd who was I think 10/11 when we saw it.

keepingwarm5623 · 30/07/2022 15:08

Another for wicked, have seen it twice and took DC when they were around that age and they loved it.

Haus1234 · 30/07/2022 15:11

Come From Away is really great, I would add that to the list! There’s also Hamilton? I liked Wicked too but I saw it c10 years ago so can’t comment on the current audibility of the singing.

LER83 · 30/07/2022 15:11

&Juliet, personally I absolutely loved Mary Poppins (it finishes in January), Wicked, my 2 loved the Play that Goes Wrong if you fancy something different. Frozen is also amazing, just be prepared for little kids singing along! Mamma Mia? Fantastic Women (can't remember the exact name) is meant to be great but I think that could be out of London now.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 30/07/2022 15:14

Definitely Wicked, and I say that as somebody who doesn't even like it much!

NancyJoan · 30/07/2022 15:19

We saw Wicked about three weeks ago, it was brilliant.

Quartz2208 · 30/07/2022 15:24

officiallondontheatre.com/kids-week/

If you are going in August - this ends tomorrow! Wicked/&Juliet/Six/Mary Poppins are all good but I would go with what you can get for the best price in the best seat!

doodleallday · 30/07/2022 15:30

Sister Act, amazing! I found Dear Evan Hansen quite sad and triggering but my teen loved it ( older ) and the actors were great at the stage door.