7 year old to evening theatre performance

[LifeAtForty]

Hi. I'd like to book tickets to Matilda the Musical for my daughter's 7th birthday. Do you think taking her to the evening show would be OK? She's very mature and used to the theatre (age appropriate stuff) but I have only ever taken her to matinees. The tickets are obviously pretty pricey and have booked up quickly. I can get better seats for the dates closest to her birthday in the evening. But we'd have to get the tube home and would be be back until about 11pm

I would happily take my 7yo to an evening
performance.

I think probably only you know how she is if she stays up late?

If she never normally does, why not make evening plans this week that don't matter as much and see how they go? Have a special start of holiday treat of staying up late and watching a film or whatever.

Matilda is pretty clearly a show aimed at a family audience, so I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with taking her to a late show, but there's no point if she'll be exhausted and therefore not enjoy it.

You know your 7 year old, and this is a show clearly intended to accommodate older children

In theory yes given it’s a family show but why would you if matinee available? Surely she would enjoy it more to go to a matinee than maybe a meal after rather than coming home exhausted? Mine are teens and that’s still our preference rather than a late night.

She's pretty used to staying up late at family parties etc! It's more the journey home that concerns me.

I went to the 7pm show 2 weeks ago on a school trip. It was full of children of all ages, so I would say definitely take her. One late night for a birthday treat won't do any harm, and will add to the excitement for her.

I took my 9yo to the evening one and there were lots of younger children there. It’s high energy and fast-paced so keeps their attention very well. She also got a big kick out of coming out of the theatre late and seeing people in restaurants so late at night (we live in a small town where nothing’s open at 10pm!) and the lit up rickshaws etc. it was all part of the experience for her.

Thanks all! I booked them! Great seats near the front and by the aisle! Wish me luck!!! 😂

I took mine from tiny. They were 5&7 when we went to their first full length evening opera (outdoors in Verona in the arena, highly recommend) if kids are used to sitting still then and not talking there's no reason for it to be a problem.

Just wanted to update on this in case anyone else was going back and forth on this like I did! We went last night and my daughter loved it. No issues with the later show and it really did add to the excitement. It's so high energy that it held her attention all the way through.

We were row D and she had an aisle seat which was amazing for the cast walking by and views in general. She even caught the paper plane!

There were loads of kids there of similar age. Great night had by all!

Assuming she doesn't have to get up for school the next morning I'm sure the excitement will get her through to bedtime!