Is it worth going to the theatre to watch the ballet / a musical if you're right at the back?

[Ideasideas]

I don't have much spare money at the moment but would love to take my girls to see Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty at Sadler's Wells Theatre, and The Snowman at Peacock Theatre.

I can only afford for us to sit at the back. Is it worth going?

Depends on the theatre, so I'd check a website that tells you about the view from different seats.

I saw a ballet at Southampton's Mayflower, and at one point, the prima ballerina went up on wires. I was sat right up in the gods (all I could afford,) and all I got to see was her toes disappearing. But the view was fine for all the action actually on the stage.

Or www.aviewfrommyseat.co.uk - i used it today :)

Also check why it's cheaper - sometimes it is restricted view and sometimes it is lack of legroom - which probably wouldn't be an issue for a 7 year old. (If you can put up with it of course!)

Honestly, honestly anything adult will go right over their heads. Doesn’t matter in the least. At 7 they’re building up their stamina for sitting in an auditorium for long periods. I used to take small children who fell asleep after the interval - it was fine and we have countless happy memories of those times. As well as an ever-evolving shared interest.

I don’t think you need to worry about such granular detail - it’s the spectacle and the overall experience that’s important.

I absolutely would do it. I think live theatre is such a good thing to experience, and possibly being in the back might be a bonus if they're quite young and new to being in an audience.

And (sorry) Sadler's Wells is lovely! I think it's quite an intimate feeling wherever you sit! Haven't been to Peacock recently so can't remember that.

Oh yeah, we sat there for School of Rock. I agree it was shite. Ever since then, we never go unless we’re in about row G of the stalls, in the centre.

@Ideasideas , it definitely wouldn't be my choice as a first (or second) ballet. I've seen it twice and am going again this year, but there are many better ones for 7 year olds.

Have been many times to ballet and have to say I prefer further back to further forward. The overall spectacle comes across better and you can see the patterns they are making.
Being up in the gods brings its own excitement too.

My DD has been watching ballet since she was about 6/7. We have seen all the Matthew Bournes and Northern Ballet which tour. She always sat silently and mesmerised. She's now 16, an A level Dance student and really into Akram Khan and Hofesh Schechter. Passion is inspired early.

I wouldn’t usually, but it does depend on the theatre.

Honestly take them to see a ‘classic’ production by the English National Ballet or Birmingham Royal Ballet. It’ll be beautiful and your daughter will love it.

I'm very very frugal....I find savings everywhere....but I would never ever buy cheap theatre seats....I would rather not go....I've just booked to take my GDs to see Annie Musical next year but if there hadn't been good seats left I wouldn't have bothered....I can afford good seats but if I couldn't I would choose just one show....or look for offers...eg some shows offer a percentage of affordable tickets that are released later on.... or cheap same day tickets

I’d recommend this: www.ballet.org.uk/production/nutcracker/

For sure! I have been going to the west end for 20 years and aleays buy cheap seats, ive always enjoyed the show and there's no pressure of having dropped a hundred quid on something i may not love.

The only time i was a little far back was thr ROH which is massive. ds is 4 and has seen a few things already, if he hates it we can leave and it's no loss.

I'm taking my DD to see the Snow Queen ballet in Jan. She'll be just about to turn 4. She's been to several theatre shows, albeit kids ones, so hoping she will enjoy!

My mum took me to the ballet a lot as a child and I loved it. We saw the Nutcracker in NY once which I still remember vividly now.

For those saying they wouldn't bother if they couldn't get "good" seats, there are many who can't afford the more expensive tickets and I would certainly argue that it's better to be able to sit in the gods than not to see a show at all.

I have bought tickets for us to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show early next year as a Christmas present for our eldest DD, who is a huge fan. It cost £52 (£13 each) for 4 of us, there is no chance we could have afforded to pay £268 (£67 each) for tickets in the stalls!

When we were poor students I bought DH tickets to see phantom in the west end..right at the back with a pillar in the way..we stayed in a travelodge and got the megabus down from Yorkshire... we had a FAB time!

His 40th is coming up next year so im going to book it again but with decent seats this time and a nicer hotel!

As others have said - it completely depends on the theatre - the seating plan type websites with reviews are really helpful for all sorts of things (leg room/ sightlines/ etc etc). Often the smaller theatres are just fine for most of the seats other than the really restricted views from pillars etc.

I check these pretty frequently as I am not good with heights so try and avoid the upper balconies if the rake is particularly steep.

I take my DC to see musicals 2/3 times a year. We pretty much always get the cheapest seats ...or day seats if they do them. Whilst no doubt sitting nearer the stage is a more immersive experience, I don't think it is worth missing out if you can't afford closer tickets. My DC love some musicals more than others and can vividly describe and talk about all of them and refer to their favourites often. We always take our own binoculars, drinks and snacks (although I don't like them making noise during quiet bits and they are pretty respectful) x

We always get the cheapest tickets because it means we can go more often, and for big corps de ballet productions it’s often a better seat.

Unless it's in the gods at the ROH or Albert Hall go for it. Neither of the theatres you've mentioned are that huge. The experience is worth it, it's different when you can see patterns, and different again when you're close enough to see every muscle movement. Both are wonderful in their own way - lovely for you to do this for your DCs. Ask for booster cushions when you go in, don't remember having to pay for them in either theatre, that will help.

If they go thinking it will be the 'normal' Sleeping Beauty that they are familiar with, they will be disconcerted. The fairy is a bloke, and there are vampires in it. Some of it is quite funny though, especially the baby.

Second theatre monkey. It's so useful for gauging if the cheap seat is worth it. I've enjoyed plenty of shows in the cheap seats/ restricted view but always checked on TM first.

If you don't have much money look at the live shows at the cinema. The Nutcracker from thE ROH is shown every year. It's amazing, of course it isn't the same as being there but it accessible.

Personally I avoid the cheap seats unless it's absolutely alll they have left. I've had a few with restricted view in the stalls though that have been absolutely fine.
I'd rather go twice a year to great seats mid-front stalls than 6 times a year up in the gods