Drama performance - club now charging parents for end of term performance tickets

[hulahoopingtoday]

Hi all! I'm struggling for money, and my daughter attends an extracurricular drama club. They've suddenly announced that if we want to attend the end of term performance we have to pay. In the past it's always been free. It's apparently £5ish, which sounds low, but given we pay a lot through the year it's a bit surprising, and as I'm on universal credit and struggling financially it feels quite off, especially as we pay every term anyway. it's in the same venue as the club as always, nowhere different. AIBU to raise it with them? How would others feel? It feels like a non-negotiable payment for attendance (who would miss their child's play?) but also a bit cheeky as well, especially given everyone is struggling right now. What do others think?

That's really bad if it's in their normal lesson time. You've already paid for the lesson after all.

I would work out what % £5 is of your weekly left over money and then contact them and ask if they'd consider a lower priced ticket for those on very low incomes where £5 is quite a large percentage of your left over money.

I pay £15 per ticket for my daughters dance but the teacher pays for a stage venue and also provides all costumes.

If it’s during a normal lesson time that you have already paid for I think that is unreasonable.

I pay for all my daughters dance, music and theatre performances, but these are always extras - never during class time I have already paid for. They are also usually at external venues where they are having to pay additional costs. Plus for dance and theatre the schools provide the costumes to keep costs down for parents (I know this is more unusual).

I think it’s reasonable to query this and give some feedback.

That has always happened no? My parents paid to see me in my school plays 20 years ago.

If you speak to them they may gift you tickets.

When are term dates? If the show is on the last regular day/time of the term of classes you've paid for, then it is a bit of a cheek to ask parents to pay extra. Unless of course, they are having to hire the venue for longer in the evening and pay their staff for more hours' work, in which case it is to cover their costs.

Speak to them and explain that you have some financial hardships, and ask if there is anything they can do to help you.