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Original poster

London theatre recommendations

51 replies

buzzing · 22/03/2023 21:18

I would like to take my daughters (10 & 12) to a show in london … we’re not regular theatre goers so am after some recommendations. Think we’d like a musical, maybe Matilda? Definitely not Frozen! They like some of the songs in Six, would that be a good one?

it’s a lot of money so I don’t want to get it wrong.

OP posts:
Careerdilemma · 22/03/2023 22:35

I love Six. But I don't think it's a classic London show experience. Personally I thought &Juliet was crap and irritating.

Lion King is an amazing visual spectacular. Matilda is very good too. I'd go for one of those for those ages.

I'm not the biggest fan of Wicked personally, but I think it would go down very well with that age group.

Original poster
buzzing · 22/03/2023 22:37

Another question … how much does it matter if you get the cheap seats at the back? I know the view won’t be as good but will it be good enough?

OP posts:
LIZS · 22/03/2023 22:40

gogohmm · 22/03/2023 22:35

In the summer holidays they have discounted tickets for children. It's been a while since mine were eligible but they used to be a great deal around mid August

Kidsweek - shows, workshops and backstage tours. You can register for notifications of the shows included and offers available at other times.

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Theatre
LIZS · 22/03/2023 22:41

We often go higher near front or further back lower down. Theatremonkey shows the view from different seats as do some theatre sites.

Original poster
buzzing · 22/03/2023 22:41

gogohmm · 22/03/2023 22:35

In the summer holidays they have discounted tickets for children. It's been a while since mine were eligible but they used to be a great deal around mid August

Ah, thank you, I didn’t know this.

OP posts:
Skiphopbump · 22/03/2023 22:42

buzzing · 22/03/2023 22:37

Another question … how much does it matter if you get the cheap seats at the back? I know the view won’t be as good but will it be good enough?

I tend to wait until I can buy tickets on offer, usually from TodayTix, so I can get good seats at a reasonable price. I would rather not go of I had to sit really far back.
When I went to see Six I sat in the front row, I thought it may be too far forward but was actually great.

HazyDragon · 22/03/2023 22:44

Back To The Future! Just book it, it's amazing!

Mangoandbroccoli · 22/03/2023 22:48

I work in the industry and have children so am very fussy about what I see / take them to! I wholeheartedly recommend Six - my son is younger than your two and absolutely loves it (it helped that he already knew all the songs off by heart before seeing it but you can listen to it on Spotify before you go and see if you all like the sound of it). It's modern, fresh, different, uplifting and a brilliant message about and for young women particularly. It also tours so you wouldn't necessarily have to see it in London.

Matilda is also fantastic and I would definitely recommend it. Six year old loves it and even my younger one sings most of the songs!

I actually haven't seen Frozen but have only heard great things and it has a brilliant team behind it.

The Lion King is good visually and one to tick off the list of big musicals if you want to but I'd put the other two above this personally.

Back to Future is amazing visually but I don't rate it myself. (Many others do, obviously, I just didn't really enjoy it and wasn't invested in any of the characters). Wouldn't jump out at me as THE one to go to for you.

The Play That Goes Wrong is a farce - goes down well if that's your kind of thing but I wouldn't put it up there for that age bracket.

As others have said, &Juliet is closing in london but would be a good one for them when in tours. All the songs are ones written or produced by Max Martin, so lots of Britney, Katy Perry, Backstreet Boys etc. Can also listen to the soundtrack on Spotify.

I second looking on Seat View to find seats that are affordable but not behind a pillar. Enjoy!

FrankandWalters · 22/03/2023 22:49

Matilda for sure. It manages to be witty, touching, funny and humane, has memorably singable songs, and is one of the very few musicals I’ve been to which which was an equal hit with a nine year old and fortysomethings.

I don’t get people’s admiration of Wicked — it has three cracking songs, but the rest are pretty blah, and the set and plot are very unmemorable.

AuntieDolly · 22/03/2023 22:53

I usually get tickets via theatre express theatreexpress.co.uk/

Frightenedbunny · 22/03/2023 22:55

Back to the future is great for all ages! We took a mix of kids aged 9-16. The special effects were great and they were all entertained.

six…. One of my favourites for the music and double entendres. A little rude in places but would go above kids heads.

lion king… it’s a classic but I don’t think it’s aged well. My kids thought it was average.

wicked.. we loved it. Storyline is very clever and is a true west end show!

my all time favourite is Mary Poppins but that finished January.

we are off to see Newsies in a couple of weeks. It’s a Disney theatre production and the dancing looks out of the world.

if you are willing to wait and take a gamble buy tickets last minute on todays tx. We got wicked tickets for £25 each. They should have been £150 as we waited until the day of the show. I love a good theatre show!

WarningToTheCurious · 22/03/2023 22:58

Six is excellent - high energy and very much on the empowering women thing, but it’s relatively short (although that might be a plus for younger children).

I’ve recently seen Pride and Prejuduce (Sort of) on tour and that was fantastic, although possibly a bit sweary in places.

applecatchers36 · 22/03/2023 23:10

Don't write off Frozen it's an incredible production. The set, performance, music and staging is stunning. Took my 9 year old but really enjoyed it as did my adult friend. Script is written to appeal to adults and kids with innuendo and jokes. Lots of Nordic motifs and engaging story telling.

FoodieToo · 22/03/2023 23:25

You have to see Matilda . It’s incredible ! We have been twice , coming over from Dublin .
Lion King is great but not as much fun !

bananafishbones1 · 22/03/2023 23:27

Six is also currently doing a U.K. tour. We are seeing it locally in the seats that would cost £££ in the west end. There are seemingly always deals for Wicked and it's in such a big theatre that I think all the seats have relatively decent views.

I use today tix app, look out for theatre deals around new year and august. I also recommend 'Let's all go' which was set up as a local Kent group. They will do offers for shows for certain dates but the seats are always great seats for the price.

christmastreefarm · 23/03/2023 06:16

buzzing · 22/03/2023 22:37

Another question … how much does it matter if you get the cheap seats at the back? I know the view won’t be as good but will it be good enough?

If you look on seatplan or theatre monkey you can see pics and reviews. I have picked restricted view seats this way and not been disappointed.

Think my box seats for six were £45 ish each. You had to lean slightly but having the box means your own space and room for bags!

MapleSyrupSweet · 23/03/2023 07:15

buzzing · 22/03/2023 22:37

Another question … how much does it matter if you get the cheap seats at the back? I know the view won’t be as good but will it be good enough?

It will be fine op

Pootle40 · 23/03/2023 07:22

I am taking my two boys (8 & 13) to see back to the future next weekend, can't wait.

kirinm · 23/03/2023 08:10

Matilda is brilliant.

MajorCarolDanvers · 23/03/2023 18:15

buzzing · 22/03/2023 22:37

Another question … how much does it matter if you get the cheap seats at the back? I know the view won’t be as good but will it be good enough?

Use this website to check seats. It shows you photos from most seats in London theatres.

seatplan.com

Laptopneeded · 23/03/2023 18:28

Op six is fabulous we really enjoyed it and love the music.
Please be aware it's not a huge stage production eg no huge lavish sets. It's 6 women singing on one set.

I'd highly recommended it still.

The lion king is lavish typical huge theatre production. It's warm, stunning funny.

Wicked was very good but I'm not a massive fan I probably wouldn't see it again.

Les miserable is classic blow you away theatre. Amazing songs sets incredibly story.

Laptopneeded · 23/03/2023 18:29

Re matilda it's fabulous but dark. The film has the opportunity to interchange the tough scenes with light

jay55 · 23/03/2023 19:07

At 10 and 12 I'd go for wicked. Should be able to get a deal on tickets as it's a long runner in a huge theatre. And it is a proper big show.

WGACA · 23/03/2023 19:10

Matilda!

BrassicaBabe · 23/03/2023 19:48

I love Lion king. Nothing else has come close. SSsooooo bored by Wicked 🤷‍♀️

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