Seriously who takes babies to the theatre?!

[EL8888]

Went to the theatre last night, 2 babies and their mothers were there. Cue a fair amount of noise throughout. It’s not a mother and baby group?!! People are trying to enjoy and concentrate. Don’t worry l checked and it wasn’t a “baby / children showing” or something like that. Some people are so self absorbed and entitled

I probably shouldn’t write this in AIBU. Because l really don’t think l am! My partner and the woman sat next to me who l don’t know were unhappy as well 😡

That's absolutely ridiculous and I agree with previous posts saying the theatre are at fault for admitting them

That's nowt - went to a local, expensive restaurant last night for Valentine's Day and a couple had brought their very vocal toddler in a massive buggy. Our table was from 9pm and they were still there. Everyone else had paid for an effing babysitter to get away from our kids for the evening only to be confronted with someone else's.. should've been turned away imo but I guess restaurants don't want to turn down trade

Some people are so self absorbed and entitled

You've answered your own question. Just like the idiot who say behind me at a musical and thought it was OK to sing all the way through. Luckily she was just self-aware enough to shut the fuck up when told to do so.

It depends on the showing.
I've been taking my DD since she was a newborn but she was very easy and would sleep through.
Even now she takes a bottle. Has some snacks. Gets restless and I put her in her buggy (at the back of the cinema (theres a lift and entrance to the back seats for disabled)) and she will nap for the rest of it.

I've only been to one non baby showing and I picked a Saturday morning 10:30am. Maybe.. 3 other people in and I kindly explained she should be okay but if it got too much I would move seats or take her out.
As expected she did get restless and moany for a grand total of a minute. So I took her in her buggy and she fell asleep.

I know that's not what all babies do though so I do understand!

*sorry just to add theyve all been baby showings.
Apart from the one explained

I took my 16 week old to a 4 hour panto. He didn’t make a peep and I was stopped multiple time’s on my way out by people wanting to compliment me on his behaviour. I was prepared to take him out immediately if he started fussing though.

I go to the theatre regularly and my DH works in theatre, and neither of us have ever heard of a baby being admitted to any theatre unless it's an outdoor theatre, a children's show or a relaxed performance.

I'd have complained at the time. But I've never seen this in a theatre either matinée/evening - perhaps that's one good thing about London theatre prices! Ridiculous, anyway - there should be some child-free spaces! I'd happily ban the buggy brigade from art galleries, too - they're such echoey spaces and that type of parent is never quick to remove their howling offspring once they start.

There are so many suitable places to take a child and the theatre is certainly not one of them. Bad enough when people are talking loudly in the theatre without adding screaming babies to the mixture!
YADNBU.

did you not complain no point just sitting there getting annoyed

Price of a child's ticket versus cost of a sitter for the evening. Cheaper to take the baby!

@Herpesfreesince03 your baby sounds like an absolute diamond! X

We went to see a 12a last week. Not a cheap trip out with 5 dc. Ruined by a newborn 2 rows down. Lots of babbling and shushing from its 2 dps. I complained to Vue and am receiving free tickets shortly they say..
Vue do have mini morning showings at half price that I would have put up and shut up with a baby at - but not a new release at full price.
I am sure the baby had zero interest tbh...
Staff said a 12a allowed babies to attend!!
Why?? Just why??

I dunno. I feel bad now for griping - if you'd been let down by your babysitter and you had an event you'd planned for, would you still go and take your little one anyway? I'm not sure I would but maybe some folks do.

What was the show.

Wow that's a whole other level of entitlement.

I'd write to the theatre to complain. I'd seriously question going there again if they are letting babies into performances and let's face it, it's not a cheap night out these days.

@Herpesfreesince03

It was great when my DD was younger and slept through whole films (maybe waking for a bottle).
Not quite as sleepy now though at 8 months!

@GabsAlot l have no qualms about educating people about their bad behaviour / poor manners. Unfortunately my partner is the opposite, very “let’s not make a fuss” and was unhappy about me having a chat with them. In hindsight l would have spoken to them or ushers and stated the noise needs to stop

@CheerfulBunny not my problem lm afraid.

For clarity it wasn’t a children’s show or pants type thing (lots of talking and some loud noises in parts). Most definitely an adult play

Pants = panto!

I thought babies were normally not allowed in the theatre, I would complain

@Oysterbabe l would rather not say -it could be outing especially as the tickets were a gift from a friend. I think she may be on here

I shushed a millennial who babbled all the way through Parasite the other day.

His slack jaw dropped even further. Some people are badly brought up.

Mylene was seen on insta the other day with her baby in a sling at the theatre with aloe of other slebs so I gues everyone thought it was ok to do .. I imagine she would have taken said baby out if it had cried .. but who knows