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Original poster

Xmas panto at 2 too young?

26 replies

LaCiccolina · 05/12/2012 19:30

I love panto and am very keen to take dd to the local one. She's 2, is this too young? Don't want to scare her.... Don't actually know what it is yet btw. I'm torn.... Dh will probably blanch though.....

OP posts:
pickledparsnip · 05/12/2012 19:31

I'm taking my 3 year old to panto tomorrow, and have been wondering the same.

BeaWheesht · 05/12/2012 19:31

Dd is just 2 she hasn't been to a panto but has been to 2 kids shows with 'mild peril' Grin and loved them. She's quite a wee toughy though so depends what your dd is like really.

pickledparsnip · 05/12/2012 19:32

The one we're going to is on for 2 hours & 20mins. I think that is a very long time, but we're just going to see how we get on.

pickledparsnip · 05/12/2012 19:34

The one we're going to is on for 2 hours & 20mins. I think that is a very long time, but we're just going to see how we get on.

Bunbaker · 05/12/2012 19:34

If you think she can sit still quietly for a couple of hours then yes. If she won't and persists in kicking the seat in front of her then definitely not.

I have taken DD to a number of shows where she has had a small child kicking her seat and it has really spoiled the experience.

ByTheWay1 · 05/12/2012 19:48

My eldest screamed as soon as the lights went down at her first panto aged 3...took her out, calmed her down and came in as the evil witch appeared in Sleeping Beauty..... we left......

I think under 4 is too young to expect a child to be able sit for over 2 hours - even if it is a good one with lots of "he's behind you" and - this year "Gangnam style"....

BikeRunSki · 05/12/2012 19:59

I took DS last year when he was 3, and we went with his best friend, shecwas just 3. She freaked out at the wicked queen (was Snow Queen) and nothing could calm her down. DS lasted about half an hour before he got bored, restless and disruptive and we left. It was an am dram production, bit so bad leaving early if you've not paid too much for ticket.

As we were leaving, both fire engines from the fire station opposite came tearing down the road with lights and sirens going. It made DS's day!

Nothing daunted, DS and his friend are going to Cinderella this year. They are now both 4. Am dram again.

bigTillyMincePie · 05/12/2012 20:11

DS was 2 1/2 when we went to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He sat transfixed throughout the whole thing. Even the child snatcher (when they all jumped out of their skins!)

Clandy · 05/12/2012 20:21

I'm taking dd this year although it is Dick Whittington so don't think it's that scary or long. She is good and will sit though. Wouldn't take her if she was a fidget bum. I think if your having doubts then you should probably leave it til next year as you know best how your child will cope

happygilmore · 05/12/2012 20:27

I think it's too young, not just because it can be scary but because it's a long time to sit still.

youbethemummylion · 05/12/2012 20:32

We took DS2 (2.5 years) to the cinema as a trial run for the Panto and he sat through the film perfectly therefore we are taking him to the Panto as in my experience kids are not expected to sit quietly through the Panto the whole idea is lots of shouting out etc.

Obviously we wont be letting him kick the seat in front etc but the Panto is not the theatre a bit of noise etc from the little ones is to be expected.

sunnyday123 · 05/12/2012 22:21

Too young as most pantos are very loud with lots of shouting etc. my dds hated it til at least age 4

sunnyday123 · 05/12/2012 22:21

By loud I meant scary for young kids!

piprabbit · 05/12/2012 22:26

I took my DD to a panto at 2yo, but it was a touring production and was put on in our local school hall. It was quite informal and the children could go up to the stage and peer at the performers if they wanted to. It was organised by the NCT so there were loads of other young children there - everybody was in the same boat.
Plus the tickets were much, much cheaper than a theatre production - so if it had all got out of hand I wouldn't have felt at all bad about just walking away. As it was DD was fascintated.

MegBusset · 05/12/2012 23:14

We took the DSes to the panto last year for the first time, they were 4.10 and 2.8. They both loved it, DS2 was as good as gold though he did doze off near the end (it was a 3hr afternoon performance). We're taking them again this year, can't wait :)

Pinner35 · 05/12/2012 23:16

Last year, I took my DD's aged 3.8 and 18 months to see Jack and the Beanstalk. There was some scary parts, but they both loved it.

SavoirFaire · 05/12/2012 23:20

Taking three year old. Not sure at all but in laws have bought tickets so we must go.... I am not really too worried about the 3yo but a bit annoyed at having to take the 1 yr old. I am clearly going to spend an hour and a half stood in the foyer trying to entertain her. But apparently it is compulsory attendance...

ThursdayWillBeTheDay · 06/12/2012 06:32

I first took dd when she was 4 and she just about coped with the noise, the scary bits and the fact that pantomimes are written by and large for an adult audience so full of innuendo and slapstick adult humour.

You can try a 2 yr old, but I personally wouldn't. And having drawn the short straw of the 2 yr old not having a good time in the seat behind me for the last 2 yrs, I would actively beg you not to. I don't hate kids, I work with them all week, but it's me who ends up looking like the wicked witch when I have to turn round and ask parents to "do something, anything, just please make him stop" and it ruins it for everyone.

ladyintheradiator · 06/12/2012 07:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheElfOnThePanopticon · 06/12/2012 07:15

I will not be taking my 3 year old, because there is a 70% chance that I would have to take him out, and I'm not prepared to pat thirty quid to sit outside and watch him play.

WidowWadman · 06/12/2012 07:18

I've taken my almost 4 year old for the first time this year. She was very scared of the villain and the dames (Cinderella), that I almost feared I'd have to take her out, but once the "He's behind you" started, it got better. Wouldn't take a younger child.

Kirstoll · 06/12/2012 08:34

I can barely face taking DD to tesco, she's just hit the ru terrible ridiculous tantrummy 2's

YoHoHoAndABottleOfSherry · 06/12/2012 08:41

I am taking my 18 month old this year (we took her last year too when she was a 6 month old and amazingly I didn't have to take her out). I have a seat by the aisle right next to the exit, and will take her out if necessary.
We did consider me staying at home with her while DH took DD1(5), but we've decided to give it a try, as it is a big day out for the whole extended family. DN will also be going, he's 2 (he didn't go last year). No idea what will happen, fingers crossed.

KindleMum · 06/12/2012 08:42

I wouldn't take her yet. Doesn't mean you can't go though!

KindleMum · 06/12/2012 08:42

Leave her home with OH and go with friends - why not?