AIBU dd's drama group doing a day school on 'Kinky Boots'

[WorriedaboutKin]

For clarity, dd is six years old.

I have just been informed that my daughters drama group (she is six years old) will be having a days workshop on the musical 'kinky boots' next week.

I have myself seen the musical, and quite enjoyed it, but think that some of the content is not appropriate for six year olds.

This is a list of the parts I am specifically concerned about (found partially from google as I'd forgotten the details) :

An intoxicated man yells out to Lola during a performance, "Show us your t*ts." After spotting Lola for the first time and believing him to be a woman, Don boasts that women get turned on by the sight of the working man. When he spots Lola inside, he invites him to come over and sit on his lap. When Charlie shows Lola his prototype thigh-high boot, Lola is upset that it's red, saying that red is the color of sex but also a sign that says do not enter. Charlie then argues that the boots are comfy, with Lola replying that "sex should not be comfy" (with a female factory worker agreeing) and that they're talking about "two and a half feet of tubular sex." When he leaves, Lola says that sex is in the heel. When Charlie doesn't know what that means, his female assistant says that wearing heals requires balance that causes leg muscles to be tense that in turn causes one's buttocks to be taut and "ready for mating."Nicola complains that Charlie is "making porn-ware for hermaphrodites," with Lola then trying to explain she has the wrong term by defining what that means. Lola occasionally carries an S&M type riding crop.

I am surprised that this source material is considered as appropriate for a mixed group that contains many young children. I can understand the themes being appropriate for the older teenagers, but not six year olds.

I don't really want to discuss this with the leader, unless I know for sure I am not being unreasonable, as I would be concerned about it affecting my daughter's teaching.

"SHE WAS KINKY BOOTS!!"

"There WAS no character called Kinky Boots, it's the name of the show!"

You try and grab those opportunities whenever possible because it’s an opportunity for the kids to work with current, working professionals.

Thank you you have been very informative. I do understand that it is an opportunity, hopefully another will come around when dd is old enough to understand the source material.

I was waiting for a Gilmore Girls reference and was not disappointed

OP, perhaps Stagecoach isn't right for your child if you feel like that. Kids often do songs/scenes from musicals that in full wouldn't be suitable but in a day workshop where they do one song or scene are perfectly acceptable.

There are many issues with the Greatest Showman but it doesn't seem to stop people letting their children watch it. When DS was young, his dance class did Starships by Nikki Minaj. They've also done a sweary emo punk song. All curse words were blanked out.

I don't think I'll give up on it completely yet, just because I don't think a funny adult musical about sexual fetishwear is inappropriate for a six year old

I'll see how it goes, but everything has been completely fine up until this point so I'm hoping it's a one off. She can just be 'sick' for the day.

As someone who worked for Stagecoach, it’ll be very kid friendly and the songs for her age group will be about being yourself.... and what better message than that is there?
Chat to the principal, all workshops have to be HO approved anyway so go through child protection.

Yanbu OP. There are so many musicals they could have chosen that would have been more appropriate. Even the name of the show "kinky" would not be what I would deem appropriate for a six year old.
I have heard some not so great things about Stagecoach. We use Razzamataz who are great.

YANBU OP, not appropriate for 6yo. Make sure the message is written in black and white requesting a timely response. WTF are they thinking?!?

Avenue Q has to be the rudest musical I’ve ever seen, yet they have a school version. I doubt the version done with your daughters school will include shouting show your tits

Child: "Mum, what does kinky mean?".
Mum: "Oh, this is a sexual term for acts that are a little odd, such as a foot fetish".

I feel confident the group wouldn’t do anything that would be inappropriate, they most likely do a tamer version or only pick out certain songs/scenes. Yes there are definitely adult themes not appropriate but there’s also a message about self acceptance and learning about people who are different from you, which is a positive takeaway for kids.

I don’t think the organisers would mind if you ask what the program is and what they are doing, they probably talk to parents all the time about that stuff.

My 6 year old wouldn’t be taking part in anything which had the word “kinky” in it. It’s entirely inappropriate.

How would they even explain that word to a six year old? Never mind the fetish footwear angle.

All so wrong on so many levels.

I think they will be very careful as to what songs are explored to ensure that nothing inappropriate is covered with young children.

However, I'm more concerned that you don't feel able to discuss it with the leader? Even if it were a workshop on snow white you should still be able to talk to the leader about it. The fact that you don't feel able to would bother me more than anything!

My son (5) goes to a drama group and the leader is always very open to talking to parents about anything at all. They are doing a show this summer and one song, if you searched it on YouTube has swear words in, however, she was very upfront and made it clear that she was using an edited version without swear words.

If you don't feel happy talking to the leader, I would look for another group as I wouldn't want my child in a group where I didn't feel I could discuss things with the leader.

You realise there's another definition of "Kinky" that you could use to a 6 year old, if you so please?

There are so many songs with lyrics using similar words, on the radio, daily, I really doubt they'd even ask.