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

IIU to charge to see school Christmas production

72 replies

VanessaShanessaJenkins · 16/11/2019 18:37

Is it unreasonable (rather than am I) to charge parents for tickets to Christmas production?

For context: bog standard KS1 Christmas production of songs and a little acting, taking place during school time, in the school hall, with costumes parents have provided.

OP posts:
OwlinaTree · 16/11/2019 18:39

I think unreasonable. School could shake a bucket on the way out.

Worriedmum1511 · 16/11/2019 18:39

I think for tickets yes however I would have no qualms about the suggestion about there being collection buckets there and a 50p/£1 donation if you wish

Raera · 16/11/2019 18:45

Have a raffle or tombola?
Ask parents to donate prizes

xyzandabc · 16/11/2019 18:49

U to charge for tickets
NBU to have a donations bucket at the end of ask for donations for tea/coffee/biscuits at the end

GruciusMalfoy · 16/11/2019 18:51

I don't think it's unreasonable. Ours does it, I think it's usually about £2 a ticket.

StripyHorse · 16/11/2019 18:52

Are you paying for costumes? There is a cost in terms of costumes etc. even buying the scripts / music and school budgets are already tight.

As long as the tickets are a reasonable price for the school catchment I don't think it unreasonable at all.

mnistooaddictive · 16/11/2019 18:54

If there are a limited amount of seats then you need to do tickets. Making them cost beans people value them rather than “I’ll get 10 in case family want to come” and then when they can’t just keeping them when someone else could have had them.

hauntedvagina · 16/11/2019 18:56

This sort of thing should always be free. Not fair on the children if their parents can't afford to not go.

73Sunglasslover · 16/11/2019 18:57

I think it's unreasonable and very sad as it will mean some parents are unable to go.

Rainbowcolours1 · 16/11/2019 18:57

You will need to check the copyright and licensing agreement for any songs/scripts you are using. You may find you need to pay additional charges if you are charging people to come in.
Far easier to hold a raffle!

Leeds2 · 16/11/2019 18:59

My DD's primary and secondary schools always charged for productions, apart from the Nativity Play. I think they said it was because they had to pay for the copyright to perform things like Joseph etc. Also used to charge for the DVD and photos afterwards!

TheFairyCaravan · 16/11/2019 19:00

We had to pay £1 each to see DS1's Christmas play when he was in Yr3. He's 25 in a couple of weeks. I think it's completely unreasonable.

heartsonacake · 16/11/2019 19:01

Of course it is. Especially if parents are supplying the costumes!

Flaskfan · 16/11/2019 19:08

My kids' school charges. it's a couple of quid and helps fund the Xmas party. Doesn't stop the fucking parents talking all the way through though.

I have to pay to go the carol service where I work. We have been told we have to attend.

Flaskfan · 16/11/2019 19:09

If the school shook a bucket they'd get nothing!

Lovewinemorethanhusband · 16/11/2019 19:10

The school my children have moved to charge 50p each for tickets to see the nativity oh sorry christmas performance! I don't mind to much as they have a few showings and apparently it's always good

Lipperfromchipper · 16/11/2019 19:11

Our school does 5 per ticket but then they only do Christmas plays every 2 years so I don’t mind!

mybabyisteething · 16/11/2019 19:13

I wouldn't be happy! KS1 "Christmas concert" lasted 20 minutes last year!

Now outfits needed as they wore christmas jumpers.

m0therofdragons · 16/11/2019 19:19

We've always had to pay. Doesn't sit right with me but we can afford it so I've not argued. We're no longer allowed a programme because of gdpr meaning they can't give out names - I'm sure that's not right Hmm

WombatStewForTea · 16/11/2019 19:20

It's costs us around £60 to buy in a play and pay for a performance licence. So yes we do charge for tickets.
A school carol service would be different

leghairdontcare · 16/11/2019 19:23

£2 a ticket, max 6 tickets per family. £8 for the DVD. PTA also run a raffle and sell selection boxes. Sounds like parents at my school are being fleeced!

Flaskfan · 16/11/2019 19:36

Max 1 ticket per evening performance. Not sure which one of us is meant to miss it, as neither of us are allowed time off to watch the day time event.

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 16/11/2019 19:40

Not unreasonable at all. The school will have likely had to buy the play and pay licence fees for that and music. There will be some children who’s parents won’t send in a costume so they will have to have spares etc.

Who would begrudge a school trying to cover costs or raise a little extra funds whilst going to the effort of putting on a lovely event for parents? Most would simply ignore a donation bucket if they begrudge paying for tickets in the first place.

FanSpamTastic · 16/11/2019 19:42

School budgets are so tight that there is no slack for "extras". Schools have to pay performance rights for many of the shows they put on, plus costumes plus props etc.

Would you prefer to pay a small ticket fee or not have any Christmas production? Those are the kind of decisions that schools are having to make.

stucknoue · 16/11/2019 19:44

It was suggested donation at ks1 back when my kids were at school. The licence may not allow charges and if you use any additional music less than about 70 years old you will need to pay performing rights if you sell tickets - I know two schools who got into trouble for singing "all I want for Christmas is you!"