Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Best west end show for ds and I?

55 replies

KeithBurtons · 02/02/2023 14:02

DS3 is going to be 9 soon and I’d like to take him to one of the big shows in London. We’ve seen The Lion King when it was on tour and loved that. He’s a very feely type and as well as the spectacle of musical theatre I know he’d love something with a bit more of an emotional pull.

Any recommendations?

OP posts:
Workbaseddrama · 02/02/2023 15:30

Floofyduffypuddy · 02/02/2023 15:25

@Workbaseddrama .. thanks but you have to buy tickets for both shows or one tickets covered both?

You either buy one ticket for both (one day, same seat) or two tickets for both (separate days)

FineThings · 02/02/2023 15:31

I saw Phantom with my 12 year old boy last month and he loved it, cried all the way home on the tube (in a good way!), and has been listening to all the songs on Spotify.

Floofyduffypuddy · 02/02/2023 15:31

Thank you!!

I've just never come across this before and DD said she'd like to see it

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Theatre
MaverickGooseGoose · 02/02/2023 15:44

Cursed child is a long haul.

Back to the future is fab. Also six.

HouseHistoryHunter · 02/02/2023 15:48

I wouldn't go and see the Charlie tour, I thought it was pretty average. Matilda is great, Six is fun but definitely not emotional. Mine loved Les Mis, but maybe 9 is on the young side for that.

Have you seen Mary Poppins? We loved that - admittedly it was years ago but it's still a great show.

Quartz2208 · 02/02/2023 15:49

Mary Poppins has ended.

definitely recommend Back to the Future.

Hbh17 · 02/02/2023 15:54

Definitely Matilda.

Don't bother with Wicked - it's saccharine, screechy and over miked.

Floofyduffypuddy · 02/02/2023 16:05

@Hbh17

I must admit the sound In wicked was odd. Is over miked the proper term?what does that mean

VaccinistaToteBagChicBaristas · 02/02/2023 16:27

DD saw Matilda for her 9th birthday and absolutely loved it. The Cursed Child is ££££££ as you're basically paying for two separate shows.

Ilovechocolatetoomuch · 02/02/2023 16:42

I have a 9 year old theatre lover. We have seen Lion King, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Wicked, Frozen and Matilda . He really enjoyed them all although Frozen we where surrounded by little girls in princess dresses which did put him off a bit.
The show he talks about the most is Matilda.

MargaretThursday · 02/02/2023 17:02

Matilda or Les Mis would be what I'd take a 10yo to. I'd have said Mary Poppins, but that's closed now :(

Six is fun, but quite short, and Wicked is good but I think better appreciated when older.

thailandorbust · 02/02/2023 17:56

Matilda

imnotwhoyouthinkiam · 02/02/2023 18:02

Ds1 saw Matilda at that age and its always the first one he recommends.
DS2 saw Phantom when he was 7ish, he loved it and the story wasn't too old for him.

I'd also recommend Back To The Future or Wicked for that age.
I didn't like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, although the DC did. I think Hamilton is better for older children/adults personally. I love the music from Six, but haven't seen it live.

We're going to Annie later in the year, it's touring though, not in London. We're going with a group, age range 7- 62.

YogaLite · 02/02/2023 18:39

Les Mis, not only a classic but also because there are 2 young children in it, a boy and a girl (not at the same time). And the songs are just awesome and stay with you. There is even a comedy moment with the crooks.
Definitely not too "grown up".

Comefromaway · 02/02/2023 18:42

KeithBurtons · 02/02/2023 15:08

I didn’t even know back to the future had been adapted for stage! My mind is boggling at how it works!

My mind was boggling at how on earth they did the major special effect!

TwoPointFourCatsAndDogs · 02/02/2023 18:44

Mine, slightly older, loved The Play That Goes Wrong and Frozen.

Comefromaway · 02/02/2023 18:45

The Charlie tour is VERY different to the original west end production (& not in a good way)

I would say Matilda or Wicked but probably Matilda. Frozen is actually really good too as long as you don’t mind all the little girls in Elsa dresses. My Ds saw Les Mis around that age.

windyarse · 02/02/2023 18:53

Matilda is good. Back to the future is incredible.

Mrs Doubtfire is coming in May.

windyarse · 02/02/2023 18:54

@Comefromaway

My mind was boggling at how on earth they did the major special effect!

I ponder this at least 4 times a week Smile

Comefromaway · 02/02/2023 19:16

My dd’s former housemate worked backstage there. She was very secretive.

Newuser82 · 02/02/2023 22:17

VenusClapTrap · 02/02/2023 14:42

Ds(10) chose Hamilton for his birthday last year and absolutely loved it. He wants to see Les Mis this year - trying to decide if it’s too adult!

My 9 year old loves les mis. Some parts did go over his head though.

Newuser82 · 02/02/2023 22:20

My 9 year old has loved Joseph, Matilda, six, les mis, lion king but his favourite has been Hamilton.

PenguinTattoo · 02/02/2023 22:39

Both my sons loved Hamilton around that age, but it is long (not sure what pp meant by it being unsuitable). The cursed child left 11y & I exhausted and we went on consecutive days, plus good seats are pricey.

I've only seen the recent film but I'd say Matilda. Or six. Both short and punchy.

For Hamilton, my sons and I listened to the soundtrack at home beforehand, so if you fancy a musical, prepping by listening ahead is a good idea and might help you find what you'd like?

Drywhitefruitycidergin · 02/02/2023 22:43

What about Grease?
Otherwise my 11yo loved Matilda & Wicked.
Next on our list will be the Wizard of Oz & Six

Quartz2208 · 03/02/2023 07:58

Having seen Hamilton a lot with my 9/10 year old I think it is one that is fine if you are interested in it and understand (not counting the swearing) but not one you should go in cold

Matilda and Back to the Future I think you can

Grease isn’t on either