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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to be the one to take my DCs to the panto.

21 replies

madamearcati · 29/12/2009 16:49

we always go to the pantomime between xmas and new year -me and DH and our 4 DCs and often GPs too.
However the school for the last couple of years have taken our primary aged children the first week it opens (we have 2 secondary aged children too), so they have already seen it and don't enjoy it as m,uch the second time !.We have to book very early on to get so many tickets together between xmas and new year so the school haven't decided whether they are going or not.They go to a special performance specially for schools and the school PTA pay for it but we have toi pay for the coach which costs nearly as much as the tickets.
I know its a nice thought but don't they think parents would like to take their DC to the panto.The second nearest pantomine is a 30 mile drive away and in the middle of a rough city so there isn't really an alternative.

OP posts:
merrycompo · 29/12/2009 16:51

yabu

loads of school kids probably don't get taken by there parents

morningpaper · 29/12/2009 16:52

nope you are barking

most parents I expect can't afford the panto (it is £70 here for a family with two children) - this is a marvellous opportunity that the school are providing.

Why would you take them again once they have already seen it? That is bonkers. Go to another city - get the train if necessary - and see something else. I can't believe there is only one other theatre within 30 miles - I live in Somerset and there are about 30 theatres within an hour's drive.

DollyMessiter · 29/12/2009 16:53

Lots of the children won't get the opportunity to go to a pantomime I expect, so it's better that some see it twice, than some don't get to go at all, imo.

It's a generous gesture by the PTA and a bit churlish to moan about it.

Original poster
madamearcati · 29/12/2009 16:54

Because I have to book it before I know whether the school are going.Nobody (except us is poor) at our village school

OP posts:
morningpaper · 29/12/2009 16:56

So you live in a place which is incredibly rich, but where the only other arts venue for 30 miles is in some sort of ghetto?

Are you quite sure?

TheFallenMadonna · 29/12/2009 16:57

YANBU to feel a bit wistful about it. YABVU to be properly cross.

DollyMessiter · 29/12/2009 17:00

It's not just about money anyway. Some parents just don't fancy spending two hours jeering at ex Big Brother contestants in tights.

I think it's nice for the children to have a treat with their school friends.

diddl · 29/12/2009 17:17

YABU.

Can´t think of anything worse than panto!

traceybath · 29/12/2009 17:19

Wat diddl said. I would gladly pay for someone to take dc's to the panto.

Could you do ballet instead?

Northernlebkuchen · 29/12/2009 17:25

Come on - I loathe panto and would be delighted if the school would take the dcs. Save you money and spend it on a lovely family treat instead.

gingernutlover · 29/12/2009 17:33

if the tickets are that much in demand then can't you just buy them then sell on if you find you don't need them?

We are lucky here in that the local theatre is £6 a ticket for the panto - not as glitzy as one of the bigger town theatres and no famous faces but brilliant day out none the less.

GracieW · 29/12/2009 18:18

Our local theatre is £26 per ticket, am of £6!!

golgi · 29/12/2009 19:19

I hate panto. Unfortunately I am a teacher, so have to go with the school!

hocuspontas · 29/12/2009 19:23

dc don't really mind seeing it twice do they?

dd3 going to two identical performances on the same day next week! With the school in the morning and the guides in the evening.

Frostythesurfmum · 29/12/2009 19:25

I know where you're coming from. I love to go to the panto and while dd goes with the school, I'd be a little disappointed not to be seeing it with her if it were the only one locally. But equally I wouldn't want her not to go with the school as I bet that's great fun for her.

Luckily we have 2 or 3 others to choose from so go one of those with her. Even better is that our friend got us free tickets this year on the day they broke up school!

Are you sure there isn't another locally? What about a local amateur dramatics one? I've been to big productions and small ones in church or school halls and they've all been just as much fun, in fact some of the amateur ones have been better ....... "oh no they haven't" .

niftyfifty · 29/12/2009 19:26

What about your DCs not going with the school if you feel that strongly about it? Could you keep them home that day? Or try telling them they are soooo lucky to go twice!!

MamaVoo · 30/12/2009 12:24

Do your two older children still want to see a panto? Why not let the younger ones see it with their school friends and do something else as a family? Anything that saved me from having to sit though a panto would be a good thing IMHO.

OrmIrian · 30/12/2009 12:28

I hate panto so would love the school to do it for me.

Do something else nice with them all instead.

Original poster
madamearcati · 30/12/2009 12:54

WEll on reflection maybe I am a little unreasonable

OP posts:
Pikelit · 30/12/2009 13:55

It's unfair to complain about the school giving other children the opportunity to see a pantomime.

But do you not have a good "alternative" panto to take your dcs too? Only we have at least 2 exceedingly good, allegedly "amateur" pantomimes available, virtually on hand? Both of which are always much more fun (and mercifully free of East Enders rejects and corresponding in-jokes) than the trite and stereotypical offering at the Theatre Royal in Skidrow-on-Sea.

chamaeleon · 30/12/2009 14:35

YANBU. I book tickets in summer every year so we get good seats. Id school decided to go later I would keep them at home. Family time is more important than school propping up other parents imo

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