Taking two year old to a Sondheim musical

[theotherfossilsister]

It's based on fairy tales, which he has so e understanding of and liking for. It's also fringe, but folks are paying £16 for tickets. Was thinking of going and then one of us can take him out of he decides to climb on stage or shout at the wolf or whatever. It could be magical? Or not?

7 and 2 are not comparable and Into the Woods isn't appropriate for young children anyway

Start off with children's plays that are interactive, Pepper Pig Fireman Sam, Northern Ballets toddler shows. Then build up to Kids Week at the West End. Leave Panto until they are at least 6 as many get upset by the booing.West end shows like Matilda from 5 years.

DD and I have been regularly going to the theatre since she was 2 but we built up slowly.

Sounds like you've already decided against it OP, but I'd agree with the majority that it's not a suitable show for young children. As others have said it's quite dark, long, and not really aimed at children despite sounding like it might be.
I think it's great to take children to the theatre but I think you really do need to start with short performances aimed specifically at children, ideally with a storyline and characters they already know. Time flies and before you know it you will be able to go as a family to performances that you can all enjoy together but at this age you need to put up with kids' shows and/or get a baby sitter when you want to see grown up theatre.
That said, even shows aimed at toddlers can be quite fun. We took our (now adult!)DD to see The Tweenies Live at Manchester Arena when she was 3. In some ways it was hideous - imagine a space that big full of over excited preschoolers- but actually it was cleverly produced and, I must confess I enjoyed both watching the show and watching DD watching the show. She knew the characters, could sing the songs and I didn't have to worry about her making noise or getting excited because everyone was in the same boat. Then I blinked and I was watching Matthew Bourne with a teenager. Embrace the chaos of kids shows OP, it doesn't last long!

Into the Woods is not about magical fairytales. It's about the dark side of them. I certainly wouldn't take a 2 year old.

Just no. Dd Musical theatre fan watched the film of Into the woods for her 11th birthday and some of her friends found it a bit scary.

As above there are lots of lovely musical shows for preschoolers. Look for any of the Julia Donaldson ones, Tiger who came to Tea, The Snowman etc. My kids were quite sensible and calm but I didn't try a cinema full length film until age 3 or 4 and full length musical was more like age 9. Or 10

We saw Les Miserables last night and there were two kids approx 6 and 8 sat in front of us. They were fidgety and distracted, didn't enjoy the show and deeply irritated all the people around them by whispering, jiggling about and eating popcorn loudly. I could feel the waves of hatred from adjacent audience members directed towards their parents. And that is children who are 2 to 4 times older than yours.

My partner went to see Little Night Music starring Judy Dench at the National when he was seven with his parents and loved it and it's one of his treasured childhood memories

Yeah, well 7 is not 2.

Are you sure they will even admit him to the theatre? The show is no way suitable for a toddler.

Assuming it's Southwark Playhouse's version, they don't admit children under 4 anyway:

https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/#:~:text=Children%20under%20the%20age%20of,not%20allowed%20in%20the%20auditorium.

There is also no right to re admittance which would make it v difficult with a toddler.

if you can't afford a babysitter, why don't you just tag team it: one of you goes to the matinee, you meet for dinner nearby in between and the other goes to the evening show.

If you don't like the idea of going on your own, can you find another couple that wants to go, Mums go together then Dads (or vice versa)?

Big big difference in attention spans of a 2 and a 7 year old. Why ruin everbody else's trip £16 is a lot to some

Into the woods isn't 'magical' have you done any research or have any knowledge of it? It's a great musical, but it's not toddler friendly.

I love sondheim but jeez this is a long musical

Please don't - it's not fair on the performers or the audience.

Into the woods not suitable for a two year old.

This is mental.

But by then they've already disrupted the event for other people.

Please don't.

There's a huge difference between 2 and 7. Your child won't remember going. Don't. Unless he's the most amazing 2 year old he won't have anywhere near the attention span.

I took my daughter to her first musical at 2 or 3 (Mary Poppins) and she behaved perfectly through the first three quarters of the show, and then fell asleep for the last part. She was certainly no disturbance to anyone else, and I don’t really understand all of those who just assume that children will be a disturbance without giving them a chance.

I don’t know Into the Woods though. Maybe the show itself isn’t appropriate.

The first proper theatre play I took my dd to was A Midsummer Night's Dream when she was 5. She really seemed to enjoy it "at her own level" and was entranced. She'd always been a well behaved child so I didn't have any worries about taking her to see it. She'd had practice though, pantomimes and kids' stuff at the local theatre so she knew vaguely what to expect. I'd told her this was a show for grown-ups so she knew it might be a bit different and that it was a special thing she was allowed to go to if she could act like a grown up.

Would I have taken her when she was 2 years old? For an almost 3 hour performance? Fuck no! She would have been talking through the whole thing.
For almost 3 hours I would have been having to otherwise entertain her. And this is an amenable and well behaved child. She would not have tried to climb on the stage, but in boring parts she would have tried to engage me in interminable conversations about the cast and surrounding audience. "Why is that man laughing? What does this mean? What does that mean? Why is that funny? Why is that man wearing a big hat? Why is that lady's hair so big?
I can't even remember if 2 year olds are capable of that sort of conversation but I'm pretty sure mine came close.

I think taking a 2 year old to a this sort of theatre production is really incredibly daft. Come on. Two is still a baby.

Oh, please don't!! Sondheim hard enough to listen to even as an adult, so 2 yr old has no chance. And much as i love this genuis man, he's not known for a catchy tune!
Take child when old enough to appreciate him!

I couldn't take my youngest to the cinema

until she was about 8 🤦‍♀️😂

Generally yes, a good combination. Not in the hands of Sondheim tho!

I'm surprised you took a 2/3 year old to mary Poppins isn't it recommended for ages 8+ and I'm sure they were not admitting under 5s when it toured here?

It's not about not giving them the chance to show they could do it, it's about understanding that sometimes some places are not suitable for young children and the enjoyment of others should be prioritised above the supposed needs of a toddler.

Sorry no, just did a general search only a week or two ago. You may be able to find something suitable for a 2 year old though.

Don't. You will spoil it for everyone else.

Don't do it.

DD grew up with the original Grimm's version of the fairy tales, we are Germans, so I never knew the Disney version myself as a child and we had all my old books.

I remember taking her and a friend to the Beauty and the Beast musical when they were 5. They all knew the story but it was long and they definitely struggled.

We did plenty of shows, plays, musicals, concerts and even a children's ballet and DD loves it, but 2 is not the age to start.

Ah I love the Grimms fairytales and Angela Carter's retellings. The darkness, for me, is part of the magic. But yes, maybe I shouldn't take him .