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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is 5 too young for Panto

43 replies

Peppapigisfartoobabyish · 31/10/2023 09:02

To really appreciate it?
Where we live there aren’t many Christmas show type things, this year there’s a pantomime of Cinderella. It’s not solely aimed at children and many adults go, but has been put as 3 +
Its men dressing up as the ugly sisters etc
My Dd obviously knows the Cinderella story well and likes silly things 😁
Would you Walt or would 5 be a good age? Tickets are quite expensive so I don’t want to waste money if she’ll get bored halfway through

OP posts:
fluffypotatoes · 31/10/2023 09:04

Oh no it isn't

(Sorry)

No - 5 is a good age

Nanny0gg · 31/10/2023 09:05

She'll love it!

My DGD primary school take all of them to panto every year.

Mummadeze · 31/10/2023 09:05

I think it will be fun for a 5 year old!

Itwasamemo3 · 31/10/2023 09:07

Mine went to panto from about 3 onwards. They loved it . Different ages get different experiences out of panto .
Our granddaughter was only just 2 and she enjoyed all the colours,dancing and the music. She literally waved her sparkly wand throughout!

LovedmyRaleighChopper · 31/10/2023 09:08

Have been taking my 5 year old grandson since he was 3, even before he fully understood it he loved it!

PuttingDownRoots · 31/10/2023 09:09

The scary thing about pantos is loud noises and flashing lights.

If hes fine with them he will live it!

Lorelaigilmore88 · 31/10/2023 09:10

I hope its not, I'm taking my 3yo... (with older ones as well)...

ManateeFair · 31/10/2023 09:13

Five is a perfectly normal age for panto. It's aimed at the whole family and it's unlikely a five-year-old would be bored - it's all very bright, loud, fun and silly and there's lots going on, and there will be lots of parts where they encourage the audience, especially the kids, to shout out and join in (all the 'IT'S BEHIND YOU!' and 'OH NO IT ISN'T!' stuff, plus songs etc). The vast majority of kids absolutely love it, it's a really good intro to theatre for little ones.

eddiemairswife · 31/10/2023 09:13

I have never liked Panto; men dressed as women and fat-thighed principal boys, but I remember as a child being taken to see Where the Rainbow Ends, The Glass Slipper and Peter Pan.

ManateeFair · 31/10/2023 09:14

eddiemairswife · 31/10/2023 09:13

I have never liked Panto; men dressed as women and fat-thighed principal boys, but I remember as a child being taken to see Where the Rainbow Ends, The Glass Slipper and Peter Pan.

Biscuit
DrinkingMyWaterMindingMyBiz · 31/10/2023 09:15

DS has been going to pantos since he was 2 and has loved it every time. Even at that age he was joining in with the boos and hisses and shouting “he’s behind you!”

5 is a perfect age.

Saschka · 31/10/2023 09:16

5 is the perfect age I would have said. They won’t be interested when they are 10!

ChimChimeny · 31/10/2023 09:17

We've always taken DD to a cheap one (£12/15 each) and she loved it & she wasn't bothered that it was a bit amateur rather than an ex Corrie actor

tweetypi · 31/10/2023 09:17

5 is a great age - practise your boos and 'he's behind you!' first so they get into the swing of it.

I took my DD when she was 3 and she was genuinely very offended when the wicked stepmother told the children in the audience that they were all smelly 😂

tweetypi · 31/10/2023 09:18

ChimChimeny · 31/10/2023 09:17

We've always taken DD to a cheap one (£12/15 each) and she loved it & she wasn't bothered that it was a bit amateur rather than an ex Corrie actor

Agree with this!

ConflictofInterest · 31/10/2023 09:27

My kids school take the whole school every year and the reception class are mostly 4 years old at that point in the year. They've loved it.

DarkForces · 31/10/2023 09:34

Saschka · 31/10/2023 09:16

5 is the perfect age I would have said. They won’t be interested when they are 10!

Dd loved it last year at 11. She got more of the jokes than I did 😂

UsherPusher · 31/10/2023 09:44

5 is a good age. Just book the end of the row if you worry they'll get fidgety. But Panto tends to be more relaxed anyway, lots of bright colours and shouting out and silliness

And omg don't worry about Panto dames. They aren't new, children have been watching them without issue for years and there's just a dumb outrage now

FlibbedyFlobbedyFloo · 31/10/2023 09:47

Panto is for all ages. At that kind of age they enjoy all the physical silliness. It's a great way of introducing kids to live theatre

oldwhyno · 31/10/2023 09:49

No, not too young at all. Best to start at that age really.

girlfriend44 · 31/10/2023 10:22

No.its fine.

Autumnleaves89 · 31/10/2023 10:24

eddiemairswife · 31/10/2023 09:13

I have never liked Panto; men dressed as women and fat-thighed principal boys, but I remember as a child being taken to see Where the Rainbow Ends, The Glass Slipper and Peter Pan.

Vine Ok GIF

..

Breadahead · 31/10/2023 10:26

Used to work in a theatre.

There will be 5yos too restless to sit through it all

And 5yos too upset by the baddie to stay in the auditorium

You know your own child best. Personally if I had any doubts I'd wait another year, because it's not cheap. You may want to choose end of aisle seats so you can make an easy exit if needed.

ImthatBoleyngirl · 31/10/2023 10:29

I think it depends on the child. I hated Panto as a child (and adult), and DS finds them boring and too loud. DD loves them though.

InTheRainOnATrain · 31/10/2023 10:32

I think you need the sense of humour of the average 5YO to sit through panto without losing the will to live. So pretty much the perfect age IMO.