To think of taking dd, 5, to see school production of "les Mis"

[Musicallover]

Dh doing it at school ( teacher not student') and dd desperate to go after watching part of a run through at weekend. I am somewhat nervous about it, not the bits about the 'lovely ladies' (!) but because the guns will be loud and I seem to remember people die. Dh says he'll deal with the tired child on Saturday and I will be holding him to that if she goes! What do you think? She has seen films at cinema and coped with them well, some scary ish but no more than u cert. Okay with simba's dad dying in lion king.

The circus is loud..it's still exciting.

You know your child..presumably your can take her out if she gets scared?

It is very long even the school sversion. Dd aged 9 and ds aged 7 have watched the 20th anniversary DVD (dd had a little cry but was OK)

I guess the tickets are not expensive so you could always take her out if need be.

Not too worried about taking her out. Tickets still a tenner but worth the risk if I'm not going to mess her up! Might spoil the night out with friend to see it that I had planned! But dd has suddenly seriously taken against babysitters, and also is very upset that she's not going to see the show after seeing a taster of it. So could see myself being called hlme anyway. I want her to love theatre and so if it will be positive ( in the general view of mn!!) then will take her.

Well MNetters don't know your child but you do.

The only thing I would do is make sure your friend is ok with it. Nothing worse than planning a night out and then someone wanting to take a child along that plays up.

My ds age 3 saw the 20th anniversary concert live and loved it, he sings the songs all the time he didn't understand the swear words and thought they were singing about a ship but I am glad about that! He did cry when people dies but as were half the adults. He has already experienced death in the family so he said, " they've gin to heaven now, thats good isn't it mummy."

Its also a good tester for other theatre shows for you. Ds has seen beauty and the beast, we will rock you and the lion king and he loves the theatre. Je always sits quietly and sits still.

Ultimately as worral says, you know your child gets and how they will react. Have fun whatever you decide to do

I'm planning on taking my daughter to see We Will Rock You for her 5th birthday, I'm sure she'll be more interested in the music than the actual storyline so not too worried about it. I think you'll probably find it the same for Les Mis.

Friend is in the loop. It's pretty frustrating on one level for me - ideally want to see show with friend with dd happily tucked up in bed and will still that as ultimate aim as was original plan. But if I'm compromising, it may be that it turns out okay with dd having an experience of theatre and even wanting to do it herself.

Me and a friend took her 7 year old sister (we were adults) to see it in London. I love it but was dubious 7 year old would manage the story Nd length but she was fine. Really enjoyed it. We whispered explanations if the story a bit but it was greAt.

I saw the second ever performance of les mis in 1985, aged 8, with a family friend aged 6. It is one of our very happiest childhood memories. Go for it!

If this is your DD's first experience of live theatre, I think you risk putting her off as it is rather intense yet boring.

It brought on a vomiting migraine when I went to see it in the West End - so I must admit to being biased.

Child is 5 , take her in few years time. enjoy your planned night out with a friend, children do not always need to be priority

Thanks, really helpful to see range of opinions. Dd coming, friend bowed out gracefully so easy enough to leave if all too much or too tired (could easily apply to me as well as dd!!). Dh has explained things a bit to her-the dying bits and loud noises, not the precise occupation of the "lovely ladies"!! Lovely stories about experiences of les Mis - hope we'll have one to add!

Very lovely time had. Dd was really engaged, fabulous production. Had a power nap in the second half so I could sit back and enjoy. Trusting that the adult themes washed over her and the bits of language. Think they will, her favourite bit was "look down" which she sang, wordless but note perfect on way home. Dh mopping up the tiredness timorrow!!