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Original poster

Frozen live - why age limit?

39 replies

roarrfeckingroar · 20/09/2023 11:38

My 3 year old is obsessed with Frozen. I thought it might be lovely to take him to see it on the stage in London but they're adamant it's for 6+ and no kids (including babes in arms) will be admitted under 4. Isn't this cutting out most of the kids who will be into Frozen? Mine has loved it since he was 2; I doubt he will still be interested by 6!

OP posts:
Youcancallmeirrelevant · 20/09/2023 11:40

Its normally necause of how disruptive they may be. Thr shows are long and younger kids may not be able to sit through it quietly. Usually places will offer a relaxed showing without an age restriction

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 20/09/2023 11:40

Oh and kids i know still love frozen up to 6/7/8 yrs old if not older!

yogasaurus · 20/09/2023 11:41

Because it’s a full-length, full-priced, west end theatre show, which would not be suitable for 3yo’s in most cases. Unfortunately, some would ruin it.

There are lots of smaller, shorter productions to suit this age which you can start off with.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

3 year olds Films
JJJSchmidt · 20/09/2023 11:41

I assume it's because it's a west end show rather than an interactive panto or similar. They would open themselves to a lot of complaints if another family couldn't hear because a 2 year old was tantrumming through it. Yes, most families would be sensible and take said toddler out, but many entitled families wouldn't, so someone has to do the consideration for them unfortunately.

Ivebeentogeorgia · 20/09/2023 11:42

The stage show is amazing- no matter what age you are! I took my daughter when she was 6 and she absolutely loved it as did I! They need them to be over 5 to ensure they sit still so others can enjoy the performance too.

PuttingDownRoots · 20/09/2023 11:42

Because its long, loud and expensive. West end plays aren't aimed at small children.

Theres plenty of theatre productions aimed at that age group.

Minibea · 20/09/2023 11:43

I think it is more about a younger child not being able to sit quietly enough to be able to guarantee that they won’t disturb other theatre-goers who, when all is said and done, have paid good money for their tickets and probably don’t want the experience to be ruined by your precious offspring’s rendition of Let It Go.

FWIW I took my 4yo to see it and there were lots of a similar age to her dressed up as Elsa and lots of them didn’t behave brilliantly so can understand why they have those rules in place.

Bigtom · 20/09/2023 11:43

It’s a full length musical so children need to be able to sit still and quietly throughout. It’s not fair on everyone else who has paid a lot to be there to have it disrupted. My 9 year old loved it last year so I wouldn’t assume he will not be interested by 6 (I loved it too in my 40s!).

Dizzyspeeds · 20/09/2023 11:44

I took my 19 year old, we loved it so there’s still plenty of time!
As others have said it’s expensive and not a toddler show so the children need to be of an age where they can sit quietly for the length of the show.

Ostryga · 20/09/2023 11:46

I took Dd when she was 6 and it was amazing. I absolutely would have been kicked out when she was 3, it’s long, loud and kids need to be able to sit still and nicely for quite a while.

Have a look locally, or at smaller theatres in london for productions that are aimed at small kids. Puppet theatres are a good place to start.

PuttingDownRoots · 20/09/2023 11:46

Fozen 3 is apparently in production so there will be an upsurge of interest in 2-3 years time!

Comefromaway · 20/09/2023 11:49

The show is amazing. Dh took me to see it earlier in the year.

Full length westend musicals are not suitable for very young children. It's way too long to sit still and be quiet. It's completely different to being in a cinema.

Best to wait a couple of years.

ORYX99 · 20/09/2023 11:49

My son is obsessed with Spirited Away. He's 4 nearly 5. It's coming to the West End. I definitely won't be taking him because he would be far too disruptive and I wouldn't be able to relax.

Stroopwaffels · 20/09/2023 11:56

As others have said, this is a show pitched at people of all ages. Tickets are £50 ish and if I'm paying that much, I don't want to be surrounded by a bunch of toddlers who can't sit on their arses, shut the fuck up, and not wail along to the songs.

My DD is 18 and would LOVE to see Frozen on stage.

Duxelle · 20/09/2023 11:58

I took DD to it and she is now 5 but looks older as she is tall.
Whilst she LOVED it, she got very uncomfortable and fidgety during the second half. She was whinging that she wasn't allowed to sing either.
Fortunately we were sat next to a really lovely lady who was really kind to DD and me, but you may not be so lucky and get someone who huffs, moans because your DS is being disruptive...
I can see why they have imposed an age limit on it.

Duxelle · 20/09/2023 11:59

Needless to say I will not be taking to the theatre again!

Twilightstarbright · 20/09/2023 11:59

I took DS at 4 (almost 5) but he goes to theatre shows a lot and I knew he would sit through it. A family member works as an usher there and says it’s hell as these poor two year olds can’t handle sitting through the performance, want to wander around, cry, shout etc. it’s not fair on the other audience members.

letmesailletmesail · 20/09/2023 12:07

I went to see Matilda a few years ago and was sat in a row with 4yo twins who were so thrilled to be there, knew all of the songs and loved it. However, as 4 year olds who were excited, they were trying to whisper but failing, generally wriggling, kept jumping up and the seats in front got bumped frequently even if inadvertently. As 4yos who knew all of the songs, they sang them heartily despite their mum's best efforts to get them to stop.
Within half an hour, the four people in front of them had moved. At the interval, other people did even if they had to go to significantly worse seats (back row of the circle rather than second row back).
And then they got bored. So then there was whining and tears added to all of the above. With about half an hour to go, one of the ushers persuaded them to go & watch on the special TV at the back.

lap90 · 20/09/2023 12:10

Seen it twice - they claim there's an age limit but from my experience it is not really enforced. Granted i haven't seen a baby in the audience but there are certainly children under 6 years old who see it and it shows!

Comefromaway · 20/09/2023 12:11

They will allow children under 6 into the theatre but if a child looks under the age of 4 they are not allowed in.

My daughter worked as an usher at a different Disney show and they had similar problems.

EmpressaurusOfCats · 20/09/2023 12:12

letmesailletmesail · 20/09/2023 12:07

I went to see Matilda a few years ago and was sat in a row with 4yo twins who were so thrilled to be there, knew all of the songs and loved it. However, as 4 year olds who were excited, they were trying to whisper but failing, generally wriggling, kept jumping up and the seats in front got bumped frequently even if inadvertently. As 4yos who knew all of the songs, they sang them heartily despite their mum's best efforts to get them to stop.
Within half an hour, the four people in front of them had moved. At the interval, other people did even if they had to go to significantly worse seats (back row of the circle rather than second row back).
And then they got bored. So then there was whining and tears added to all of the above. With about half an hour to go, one of the ushers persuaded them to go & watch on the special TV at the back.

I wonder how many people claimed refunds off the back of that? The ushers should have moved that family at the interval rather than letting them spoil things for everyone around them.

MiddleParking · 20/09/2023 12:16

Comefromaway · 20/09/2023 12:11

They will allow children under 6 into the theatre but if a child looks under the age of 4 they are not allowed in.

My daughter worked as an usher at a different Disney show and they had similar problems.

Is it just me who would really struggle to tell if a child I didn’t know was 4 or 6?!

Graciebobcat · 20/09/2023 12:17

Just say he's 4 if you think he'll be ok with it.

DDs went to pantos and cinema from the age of 2 and could sit quietly.

Fanuniform · 20/09/2023 12:18

Ooh I’d be fuming at the 4 year olds’ family if I’d paid a lot of money to see a show.

we went to a matinee of wicked during the holidays and was surprised by how many young kids were there. Tbf they were all pretty good but I don’t think full length expensive theatre shows are the place for little ones

PinkRoses1245 · 20/09/2023 12:19

because no 3 yo will sit through that. They'll ruin it for others.