too young for panto?

[lou19]

My little girl has just turned one. she is very bright and alert and I think she might enjoy the bright costumes and music of a panto. but having been brought up in a different country, I myself have never been so I am not too sure what to expect. would it be too long for her to sit through?it's not exactly cheap either so would be good to know beforehand...:-)

I personally wouldn't take ds, he is 16 months, but he doesnt sit still long enough to watch an advert never mind a panto!

If your dd will sit still then why not, try and book aisle seats so if you need to get out you can easily!

I think it would be too long - I'd leave it until she's at least 3.

I'd agree, they tend to go on a bit.

I think that she might find it hard to focus on the stage which might be a long way away, depending seats. Why not either try an amateur production in a smaller theatre for less money, or maybe take her to cinema kids clubs to get her used to sitting still for a while, then take her to panto when she is a bit older.

Also, traditional pantos usually have a villain - small children can find this genuinely scary.

There's usually one or two on the TV over xmas, maybe see if she enjoys watching those at all (not at all the same thing as a live performance, I know!)

At our theatre you don't have to buy a ticket for under 3s unless you want a seat for them, so they can sit on your lap for free, might be worth checking? We are taking DSes for the first time this year, they're a bit older though (2.8 and 4.10).

It is very loud with flashy lights and a scary villain usually.

I first took dd when she was 4 and ds when he was 3.

Go to an afternoon performance if you decide to go, also see if there are any performances that are mostly for playgroups/nurseries/other childrens groups.

I think round about 3yrs is a good age to start going, for understanding what is going on and following the story.

When my DDs were very little (1 or 2 ) I didn't take them. When they were 3 I took them to a good, but amateur performance so that if they didn't like it, we'd only gone somewhere local and it hadn't cost too much if we had to leave.

From the age of 4 they have loved going and it is one of our traditions that between Christmas and New Year we go to Panto. (Oh yes we do!)

Thank you for your replies, I think I might leave it for this year, though they are doing an amateur jack and the beanstalk up the road from us so I might try that. maybe I will try a puppet show instead :-)

puppet show sounds better!

I'm taking DS this year for the first time. I haven't taken him before because
a) it can be scary
b) it can be loud
c) it tends to be long
d) the price!

I am not taking DD (16m) who is very switched on but I think she would get fed up half an hour in!

I can't think of any 1 year olds who would sit still for the whole length of a pantomime unless drugged

They're likely to fidget, whinge, cry, and piss everyone else off TBH. I would leave it until she's AT LEAST 3.