To think Kit Kat Club would be ok for a tween?

[Bedroomdilemmas113]

sorry Cabaret the Musical at Kit Kat club! It won’t let me amend the title.

Have tried reading reviews but am no further forwards. Aimed at 13+ but so are some of her other favourite musicals and they weren’t inappropriate at all (for context, favourite ever was Moulin Rouge - the blurb makes the vibe sound as though it’s in line with this but this isn’t something I want to get wrong). She is 12.

I would be so grateful for honest perspectives - risqué dance routines etc absolutely fine - graphic discussions of sex are absolutely not fine. Please spell this out for me if you have seen it?

Silly question but how confident in your knowledge about the plot of cabaret are you?

I would say totally fine. I have been involved in an amateur production too so know it well. And I saw this (1st cast Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley) and it is superb.

The story involves an abortion, very clear references to the Holocaust and the rise of the Nazis.

Lots of provocative dancing but nothing beyond that. Upsetting storyline with a chilling ending but it was written when we were much more sensitive than now and I would have taken my kids at that age (indeed, I did, but to the Will Young production).

I went to see the Rocky Horror Show with my Mum when I was about 12. She was mortified as she had no idea of the content. I've since seen it many, many times! I appreciate that's probably not helpful to you but it triggered a fond memory for me.

It’s quite sexually explicit according to a friend who took her 18 year old and his girlfriend. She’s not at all embarrassed about such things but found parts very uncomfortable to watch.

Not really at all I don’t think!
We have seen every other musical that’s on Broadway (in London) other than a small handful that really do not appeal so it’s basically the only one we haven’t seen that looks like something we may enjoy.

I nearly took her to this a few months ago but fortunately it’s a more widely seen musical so I was able to ask on my Facebook and was firmly swerved down the ‘hell no’ path. I don’t know anyone who’s seen this one to ask.

Thank you so much for spelling this out to me.

I think the wider context would sail over her head if there’s lots of singing and dancing? She had no idea at all of the career choices of the main characters in Pretty Woman or Moulin Rouge, even after watching it 🤣

It's enormously 'sex positive' to use the kids' terms, so lots of raunch, there's a whole routine and song about a threesome, and I don't think the innuendo would really go over her head.

More importantly though, it is not a cheery romp, the themes are heavy, it's dark af.

I've seen it twice and it's one of the best things I've ever seen, but both times I've needed an hour just to walk it off and process my emotions. It's a lot.

I think there are a few issues:

• the content is to adult for kids that ages, it's not a 'hint of a tease' there is simulated sex and all sorts
• if I was 12 I would feel very embarrassed to watch that next to my mum
• it's adult in more ways than just sex, there are complexitities and depths which I think might go over the head of a 12yo. I'm just not sure it would be the most enjoyable for them, and unless the price has dropped a lot, it's very expensive to take them to something not engineered for someone that age to enjoy.

It's not really in line with Moulin Rouge.

I'm not sure how much of it a tween would get but I wouldn't be taking mine.

A lot is in the way it's done and Moulin Rouge is ... lighthearted by comparison with Cabaret.

I think you'd find yourself with some tricky questions to answer.

Thank you all so much.

I won’t be taking her.

If you haven't seen Hadestown might be worth looking into. I saw it in New York and adored it, not seen in in London yet so can't comment on that version and cast, and I'm aware it got mixed reviews here, but perhaps worth considering?

Really? I’ve seen amazing reviews but we thought the trailer just looked a bit naff.

We have seen everything thus far in London but this is for a trip to New York.

Can you explain to me what it’s actually about? We like lots of upbeat lively numbers.

It’s very sexually suggestive in some of the ‘club songs’ - a dancer masturbates whilst reading Mein Kampf, for example - and overall the styling plays up the sex positivity. It’s not as ‘burlesque’ or parody as something like Moulin Rouge; it is in your face.

Obviously there’s the other half of the story which is set in the real world and that isn’t the same style of hedonism and indulgence. But it does have its own opposite dark themes of holocaust, Nazi uprising etc.

This production is pretty intense as a watch, regardless of the sexual bits. I saw the Will Young production at The Savoy a few years back and that was nowhere near as intense. This one had a physical effect on me and as PP have said I was quite wired for a while afterwards! It’s very full on and jarring in style.

At 12 some of the sexual stuff might still go over their head. At 14 they’d understand and might be cringing, but only you know if that’s enough reason to avoid the show.

I don’t think the comparisons with Rocky Horror are exactly right. The main issue with Rocky is the audience participation is much ruder and more sweary than most of what happens on stage! And I’ve seen butts that should never have left the house in those PVC things… 😁😁

I'd say anything that says aimed at the year older than the kids age is probably fine. I think there is some sexy references and stuff. I haven't actually seen the show. But I doubt it's got nudity or anything really graphic.
But I'd let a 12 yo watch a 15 rated films, so maybe I'm a bit relaxed on such things.

I actually went cold reading your first paragraph. Thank god I asked this and didn’t just book!!!
Thank you so much, very much appreciated.

@Bedroomdilemmas113 Hadestown is sung through (ie no dialogue in between songs) and tells the stories of Hades and Perspephone / Orpheus and Eurydice - both love stories about gods, based on myths, but quite ‘timeless’ in when they’re set in the show.

In music style it’s quite southern, jazz, soul type music. I’ve seen it twice and booked again. I would agree with PP that it’s much more suitable than Cabaret for a tween.

I would definitely say that what happens on stage in The Rocky Horror Show is extremely sexual including Frank n Furter having oral sex (at the very least) with both Brad and Janet!

Similar to Hamilton? That’s sung all the way through and we LOVED it.

Jesus Christ I have gone cold again. Thank god I didn’t book that one when it was touring near where we live 🤣

Well you’re not wrong of course! But it’s 5 minutes (depending on how much mileage the Frank wants to get out of gags* about picking hair from his teeth…)

*pun intended

Ah, was going to ask if you’ve seen Hamilton! I love both so I say yep, you’ll enjoy Hadestown!

I really appreciate all of these responses, thanks so much.

It is made so tricky by having a huge fan of musicals and the means to visit the West End a lot. So we have seen so much, it leaves very little….!

Cabaret is about the darkest musical there is. It's 100% not for kids. It's not glitzy nor cheerful and is, in fact, very upsetting, though very powerful. Don't take her.

thanks Jam! Yep, that's about it. The duel love stories of Hades and Perspephone & Orpheus and Eurydice. I personally really loved the staging which had the band on stage throughout, it had a simplicity which meant in the moments they choose to turn up the effects it really hit! There are slower numbers, and sadder numbers, but generally upbeat with a jazz and New Orleans vibe. Perhaps listen to the first number Road to Hell to get a feel for it? But as per PP it is sung through which I know some people don't enjoy and struggle with.