Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to take 2yo DC to a theatre performance with min age 3yo

65 replies

drivenfromdistraction · 21/03/2014 12:42

It's the Lion King. I bought tickets for me, DH and the three DC. After I'd completed the whole process, paid and everything, the chap on the phone listed some Ts and Cs (non-refundable, non-exchangeable etc. oh, and children must be 3yo or older). I didn't say anything.

DD will turn 3 six weeks after the performance. She's been to lots of theatre, including Xmas pantomimes (long) and never made any fuss or disturbance.

If she, or the other DC (4 and 6) for that matter made a disturbance then DH would obviously take them out.

I don't think IAB hugely U, but I do have a niggling feeling at some level. What do others think?

OP posts:
shadylane · 21/03/2014 14:39

Oops really l

saintlyjimjams · 21/03/2014 14:40

It's quite long is my only warning. I took ds2 and ds3 recently (they're much older).

Aged 2 ds2 would have loved it, ds3 would have lasted 5 minutes - so it really does depend on the child.

I'm about to take 12 year old ds2 to a theatre show with a 15 recommendation (I have checked with the theatre - and they said it was parental guidance rather than an absolute limit and he will be allowed in), so I'm in the 'you know your child, you decide' camp.

shadylane · 21/03/2014 14:40

Oops really long. People in theatres HATE parents who so blatantly disrespect the guidelines it's just annoying and rude.

saintlyjimjams · 21/03/2014 14:41

There were definitely under 6's in the audience the night we went.

Nocomet · 21/03/2014 14:42

Of course the OPs going to go no one is going to waste an insanely over priced theater ticket, possibly an adults as well if she has no babysitting.

Younger siblings cat cratered around after older ones, its part of the shape of the universe.

saintlyjimjams · 21/03/2014 14:43

I've just googled and it says minimum age of 3 for the Lion Ling recommended age 5 (probably because it's quite long).

As she's weeks off 3 I don't think it will make much difference.

blahblahblah2014 · 21/03/2014 14:44

Warning that there are long quiet scenes too with gentle music etc and talking or the making of any kind of noise would not be acceptable during those scenes. But there are 2 of you (adults) going so I guess that if the worst happened and she found it scary (as it is an adult themed show tbh) or couldn't sit still for the duration that one of you could take her outside, although that would be a shame for your DH to miss out. How about getting a sitter and either getting a refund due to the age guidelines not being clear or taking one of you other childrens friends instead? Either way, enjoy the show!

Dancergirl · 21/03/2014 14:46

OP, if the performance is sold out you could try and sell 3 tickets on Seatwave and one parent go with your 6 year old. You might even make a profit on the ticket price!

Original poster
drivenfromdistraction · 21/03/2014 14:50

We're not seeing it in London, but on its tour round the country. Nothing on any of the promo stuff we were sent to say 6+, but I will do some investigation. If that suggests it's not suitable then yes, might try and get a refund for the younger ones, since we weren't told, or see if one of DS1's friends and their family want to come.

OP posts:
polythenespam · 21/03/2014 15:26

I've just googled and it says minimum age of 3 for the Lion Ling recommended age 5 (probably because it's quite long)

That's incorrect, it's definitely a recommendation of 6+.

OP - see FAQ here
www.lionking.com/faq

saintlyjimjams · 21/03/2014 15:31

And this says the 3/5 stuff www.musicaltheatrenews.com/lion-king.html This was the first hit on 'minimum age Lion King'

Anyway - if she's a few weeks off 3 she'll get in. The issue for OP is her own decision on whether her youngest is likely to sit through it or not and whether she'll be quiet. DS2 aged 2 would have - he would have been transfixed, ds3 aged 2 wouldn't have lasted the first Act. We went to the tour and there were definitely under 6's in the audience- and quite a few of them. I was impressed with how well behaved they were.

saintlyjimjams · 21/03/2014 15:31

grr link again www.musicaltheatrenews.com/lion-king.html

polythenespam · 21/03/2014 15:36

Saintly, I work in a theatre which has had the Lion King on tour - I am 100% certain on the age recommendation Disney have made for it, it's 6.

Not disputing that she'll get in

saintlyjimjams · 21/03/2014 15:42

Oh the age might well be - but most theatres on the tour are saying minimum age 3, recommended age 6 (or 5 in that other site).

With a minimum age recommendation it's up to the parent to decide whether their child is ready. There were definitely under 6's in our audience who appeared to enjoy it and I didn't hear a peep out of any of them. Likewise I'm taking ds2 aged 12 to a 15 (having checked they'll allow him) because I know he'll be fine. If it was an absolute age he wouldn't get in, but as it's a recommendation I get to decide.

Only OP can decide as she knows her dd. The Lion King is (as many have said) long, so it may not be suitable for such a young child, on the other hand she may be the sort of child who is transfixed by the stage and manage it better than a different 6 year old.

saintlyjimjams · 21/03/2014 15:44

Personally I would have taken a 2 year old ds2 to the theatre over a 6 year old ds3. Different children, different theatre behaviours! DS3 can manage (& enjoys it) now he's 9, but it's taken him a long time - ds2 was ready for the theatre as a toddler!

LaGuardia · 21/03/2014 15:45

She will be wriggling about, crying, hanging on the seat in front, kneeling on the seat and making face at the people behind and you will think all of this is cute. And because you have paid a fortune for the seats you will expect not to be asked to leave. I hope other patrons complain.

saintlyjimjams · 21/03/2014 15:47

How do you know LaGuardia? Ds3 would have been like that (so I wouldn't have taken him), ds2 would have been transfixed. OP has already said she'll take her out if she makes any noise.

Janorisa · 21/03/2014 15:54

Sorry...that's you. I thought it was a bit of a coincidence...didn't sleep well last night

scottishmummy · 21/03/2014 15:55

Hell no,you'll massively inconvenience others patrons.its selfish
It's not a production for weans and you've been made aware of this by theatre
I'd complain if I were seated next to a squally 3yo

CreepyLittleBat · 21/03/2014 15:55

Wow, how amazingly patronising! I am taking my 3 yr old to see it next month. She's sat silently through 2 West End shows already, not every preschool kid is boisterous.

CreepyLittleBat · 21/03/2014 15:56

Sorry scottish, not directed at you!

scottishmummy · 21/03/2014 15:57

CreepyweebatNo offence taken!

polythenespam · 21/03/2014 16:01

It's not just about being boisterous Creepy, it's the fact that the content often upsets little ones. Parents don't always know how their children are going to react to something.

ShadowOfTheDay · 21/03/2014 16:03

it would be a shame if you have to take her out though... most theatres do not allow you back into the auditorium unless there are seats available at the back...

I am also of the view that there are many years of theatre-going to come... we took ours to the lion king show at Disneyland Paris which was only 20 min long - so ALL the exciting bits... the kids were transfixed - but I would not take little ones to a show that long... age limits are there for a reason..