Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

not to let DD go to the theatre on her own?

54 replies

haventkilledtheorchidyet · 23/05/2018 07:00

DD will be 15 in September. For a treat DH has suggested he takes her down to London (we live in Scotland) and take her to see Hamilton. She's properly obsessed with it. She's quite shy and looks older than 15. DH has suggested she goes on her own to see the musical, as its £200 a ticket, and he's not particularly interested! I'm not comfortable with the idea of her going to the theatre on her own, imagining all sorts of things that could happen. Views?

OP posts:
Oliversmumsarmy · 23/05/2018 07:13

If your DD were to go on her own she would need to pay on line with her own bank card which would then show she was under 16 as well as her passport for id

There are no tickets you can pick up from online touts because of the entry procedure

RhiWrites · 23/05/2018 07:14

Honestly, London isn’t Mos Eisley. She’ll be fine.

Jinglebells99 · 23/05/2018 07:14

hamiltonmusical.com/london-faq/
Children under 16 have to be accompanied by an adult according to the faqs. Also they have a paperless ticket system, so you have to take the original credit card you paid with, and picture Id and the original email confirmation. They scan your credit card at the door and give you a paper slip with seat numbers.
I’d keep checking the website, as I expect tickets come up. We had great seats in row D which weren’t the £200 ones, about £80 each iirc.

Loopytiles · 23/05/2018 07:15

You are being overanxious. People paying £50 upwards for a ticket for the most popular show in town will be unlikely to be focused on committing crime!

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 23/05/2018 07:15

Good grief. Does she frequently get locked in the loo? Confused And sexual assault? I don’t think I’ve ever put either of those on my risk assessment when taking kids to the theatre, and I’ve never been pulled up on it by SMT.

I think other posters make more pertinent points: does she have her own card to book the ticket, because the card holder must attend the performance, and have you checked that unaccompanied minors are permitted by the theatre?

Original poster
haventkilledtheorchidyet · 23/05/2018 07:17

you're right - she can't go on her own until she's 16, and she needs to be the card holder too. So, not an issue. There are £200 tickets available on the day they'd be looking to go. Thanks for all your comments!

OP posts:
annandale · 23/05/2018 07:18

Clearly from other posts the theatre won't let this happen. What a shame. I just can't believe that you think it is a problem for a 15 year old to go to the theatre on their own. The theatre have their legal position to think of and don't want to be in loco parentis - I think they're wrong but whatever. I just look back to my own early theatregoing and thank God I could follow my passion without my mother stopping me because of nonsense.

Jinglebells99 · 23/05/2018 07:18

Since HAMILTON contains some strong language, the show is appropriate for ages 10+. Children under 4 are not permitted into the theatre. Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

From the frequently asked questions on the Hamilton website.

NerrSnerr · 23/05/2018 07:19

I know she can't go alone anyway but do you allow her to go other places alone? She could get trapped in a toilet anywhere- why is a theatre toilet worse?

CatherineTheTiny · 23/05/2018 07:20

I've been to Hamilton a month ago and you have nothing to worry about. Lots of staff and security, everyhing goes smoothly despite lots of people coming there. The only issue is that some souvenirs will be sold out. The card problem could be solved by your DH accompanying her until the "checkpoint" and then leaving.
Due to the high demand and expensive tickets, there are less tourists who just wanted to see any show they could get tickets to and more people who actually care, so the atmosphere in the theatre is amazing.
Does your DD want to go to stage door afterwards?

MonumentVal · 23/05/2018 07:20

If she's permitted in, then I can't imagine a safer place! DH can wait in one of the many nearby pubs or restaurants.

Costacoffeeplease · 23/05/2018 07:30

I can’t believe the things you’re worried about. Sexual assault? Really?

Petalflowers · 23/05/2018 07:31

Would you let her go to the cinema by herself? The theatre is no different. She’ll be fine, and will love it.

London will be a great adventure for her. You can take her to the theatre, and meet her straight afterwards. Maybe you could designate a local cafe or McDonald’s, somkf for any reason she wants to leave early, you could arrange to meet at that point,

Oliversmumsarmy · 23/05/2018 07:34

You cant accompany someone through security them leave you have to go in.

It is to stop ticket touts accompanying buyers of their overpriced tickets through security then going outside and accompanying another lit of buyers through

Witchend · 23/05/2018 07:36

Our theatre is under 16s should be accompanied so you need to check that.

Luisa27 · 23/05/2018 07:40

I’d be fine with this if DD is comfortable with going alone, and DH drops her off and picks her up from the theatre

Loopytiles · 23/05/2018 07:40

I see the theatre doesn’t allow under 16s. Perhaps your H will enjoy it more than he thinks. I have very fond memories of (local) theatre trips with my father at a similar age. My DM couldn’t attend and I enjoyed English and drama and he got discounted tickets through work, we often had great seats, was great! As an adult I treated him to a couple of good London shows when first started working here. Good times.

Luisa27 · 23/05/2018 07:40

....good point Witchend

Highhorse1981 · 23/05/2018 07:57

DevilsDoorbell

How?!

Jenala · 23/05/2018 08:02

I don't think it's a safety concern but I do think it's a bit sad to say here's your gift - a show by yourself. It's not exactly 'taking' her to see Hamilton.

I like to do stuff on my own but would find a show a bit sad, especially if she is shy.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 23/05/2018 08:06

I think as you live in Scotland you are possibly viewing London as a much scarier place than it actually is!

I live near London and my teens have been travelling there on the train (30 min or so) with friends (no adults) and exploring since 13/14. They've never had any problems.

AgentProvocateur · 23/05/2018 08:08

Hamilton is great, but half the enjoyment is discussing it in the interval with the person you went with.

On another note - she’s 15, not 5. If a15 year old doesn’t have the gumption to ask someone for help if she’s stuck in a toilet, you’ve gone wrong somewhere.

GnotherGnu · 23/05/2018 08:09

I used to go to the theatre in London on my own regularly as a teenager - I discovered the wonders of student discounts and theatres that sold off any unsold tickets for previews extremely cheaply, and had a wonderful time. I never got assaulted, locked in the loos, or had anything untoward happen at all.

Shoutylady · 23/05/2018 08:09

I went to the theatre with just a friend when I was 15, it’s honestly fine. Theatres are very friendly environments and there are loads of cafes/restaurants near that theatre where your husband could wait for her and go over and meet her. As long as she has a mobile if there are any probs during interval, I wouldn’t worry. She’ll love it!

MissStegosaurus · 23/05/2018 08:12

Are you always this anxious? As if you are, you need to not pass your irrational fears onto your daughter. Shes going to be an adult in a few short years, possibly off to uni doing god knows what what with god knows who - have you prepared her for that?

Swipe left for the next trending thread