To take baby to open air Am Dram?

[GPatz]

My local amateur dramatics group is having an open air production at a local beauty spot. I would love to go see it, but I have DD who is 12 months and BF. The production is about three hours long, so I can't guarantee that DD will not want a feed during that time and she does not take a bottle.

I would not take DD to watch a production in a theater, so I don't know why I am considering this, but I don't know if etiquette is slightly different in an open air production and it's more relaxed. Obviously if she makes a noise, I can move swiftly away, but is it U to go?

Sorry, DD is 12 weeks!!!

You shouldn't stop living life just because you have had a baby. At 12 weeks I think she'd mostly sleep or feed no? Just choose a wise place to sit (at the end of a row) so you can leave to settle her if needed.

Go!! Have fun!

Is it bf in the open that's giving you pause? Please don't stop going places for fear of bf in public, there's nothing weird or wrong about it - and if you get any crap for it, blast them with your supply! as long as you can retreat should baby get fractious, it's fine!

Babies are flexible I take my baby everywhere. Boob baby to sleep. We invested in ear defenders. Wear baby in a sling & just make sure you have a light wrap (blanket, cover-up etc). Have a great time.

Totally fine as long as you are prepared to leave quickly if she starts crying.

I'm not too worried about BF in public, just, about being judged about the potential noise. I don't really want to be made to feel uncomfortable by 'tutting' or remarks. I know people pay to see something like this and might find it spoilt if the baby makes a noise, even if I leave.

LayTheTableMabel

I should have thought about taking ear defenders myself, but I hadn't, so that is a great tip, thank you!

What’s the play?

King Lear maybe not. Something more ‘all age’ yes I would.

Open air things are generally a lot more relaxed. Even the professional touring ones didn’t have an age restriction; we certainly went with some friends when their little one was carried around in a car seat. Best thing to do would be to ring and ask them, but I’d imagine they’d be keen to have a bigger audience, especially as, as you say, you can easily move away if the baby starts to make a noise.

It's Midsummers Night Dream

I’m not sure I’d go to a 3 hour MSND there’s only so much running around in the woods I can take 🤣

But that’s by the by. I think you’ll probably be fine, if you’re ready to leave if baby really loses the plot.

I would be very surprised if the organisers have not stated their position on the attendance of babies and children. I'm going to an open air drama production next Friday. On the company's website they say older children who are interested are welcome to attend but definitely no babies or young children. I've paid £20 for my ticket. I would be very annoyed if I couldn't hear or concentrate on the performance because a baby was crying or a toddler was talking or running around.

80sMum

I'm afraid you are going to have to be very surprised then. It is not clear on the website at all abour babies, only that children under 16 go free.

In that case you’re fine. They are actively encouraging children if they go free up to 16!

Midsummer night's dream - you may find families - with shock! hottor! children going! in which case if anybody is going & expecting serene silence they are going to be disappointed!

A few months ago I would’ve have been all “omg no way don’t take a baby”, because my DS has never been a “sit on a lap” or “sleep in the buggy” baby. I have, however, since hung out with a friend whose baby said on her lap for 3 hours and now I realise some babies have a lot of chill and could 100% be taken to these events! So depends fully on the baby!

I'm in an AmDram Group and we've done Summer Theatre in a local walled garden. It was a bring your own picnic, chairs, proms in the park style set up and it was honestly one of my favourite ever times on stage. The audience was everyone from 4 months - 94 years.

We weren't (and wouldn't be!) attempting 3 hours of Shakespeare though!

If you're concerned drop a quick note to the groups website or FB Page and they'll let you know if they would mind/the set up would make it difficult for you.

Sorry, I should have explained about the three hours better - I think the first act is an hour, then a 20 minutes or so interval, then another hour. I was also including driving times. I trying to demonstrate that if I went without DD, it would altogether be a three hour absence.

Oh I voted YABU because I thought DD was 12 months. 12 weeks is fine.

itsmesoitis

Thank you - I was hoping that the scenario you described was what the experience would be. But I will take yours and NataliaOsipova advice and just double check by dropping a note, as well as taking on board what AppleKatie said, that they are actively encouraging children if they go free up to 16.

Ah I think you may live near me (half house farm) if so I've been to many of their productions and they are very easy going crowd , go take baby and a picnic , bf , I'm sure no one will even notice , enjoy xx

Oh my god!! My friend is the director at half house farm (bowler crab?!) - I can ask him?!

I would absolutely do this. My DD is 18 weeks and a very placid baby. She will happily just feed and then nap or sit on our knees and watch what's going on. We've been to the cinema with her twice (a special baby showing, before anyone gets irate!) and she sat through three hours of the Avengers quite happily without a peep. An outside show would be even more interesting for her!

It's not Bowler Crab productions, although I wish it was just for the amazing coincidence!