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Culture vultures

Get tips on theatre and art from other Mumsnetters on our Culture forum.

Original poster

What do you think of theatre for pre-schoolers?

8 replies

Melgie · 17/04/2009 15:06

My daughter is going to be 3 in May and I have noticed that my local theatre has lots of shows with her fave TV characters in them. Has anyone ever taken their pre-schoolers to the theatre? What are the problems - is it worth it??

OP posts:
Iklboo · 17/04/2009 15:09

We took DS to see The Snowman when he was 2.5 (to be honest we got free tickets). He was a bit restless but seemed to enjoy it.
The ones with the TV characters is are designed for and aimed at pre-schoolers and slightly older ones so she shold be fine. It's not like you're taking her to see 'Uncle Vanya' (yet)

Idranktheeasterspirits · 17/04/2009 15:10

If you are near or in London the Unicorn childrens theatre is fab.

I think the better shows for pre-schoolers are always fairly short with a good level of interaction.
The ones with the tv characters in are not always the bestin my very humble opinion. Your local theatre should also have a few independent shows on, the box office are usually pretty good for recommending a suitable show.

TheProfiteroleThief · 17/04/2009 15:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Wheelybug · 17/04/2009 15:13

DD1 should have gone for the first time at just over 2 but got chicken pox. I think her first theatre trip was at 2.11 and was panto so quite long. She loved it and so we have taken her regularly ever since. DD2 is getting her first trip in a couple of weeks time when she will be 8 weeks to see The Tiger who came to tea' but we don't have to pay for her and I will sit on an aisle and creep out if necessary leaving DH and DD1 to enjoy the rest.

As long as you go to a children's show it;ll be fine. It'll be full of children talking through it and fidgetting.

Original poster
Melgie · 17/04/2009 15:21

Thank you everyone for that! Goodness wheelybug 8 weeks thats brave!!

OP posts:
Wheelybug · 17/04/2009 15:25

its only because both DH and I want to go and i can't really leave her for any length of time. As I said, we've got aisle seats so can slip out if necessary (but hoping she'll sleep through it)

bruffin · 26/04/2009 22:55

I started taking my dc's tot he local theatre from the age of 3. Our theattre was great because they had a creche for under 3's so I could take ds when dd was still a baby.
DD had a phobia of theatre curtains when she was 3 but once the shows started she would be fine.

We graduated to the west end when they were about 4 or 5. Ds was much better at sitting still than dd was. He saw Beauty and the Beast and Dr Dolittle before he was 5 and they have been 2 or 3 times a year since.

However took DD 11 to see HSM last year and there were far too many dc's there who were too young for it and fidgeting and talking as soon as there was a quiet moment. It was ruined for us by two little boys in front who had been bought light sabres by their grandparents and insisted on waving them in front of our faces for the second half.
The shows OP describes should be fine.

Tommy · 26/04/2009 22:59

agree that the non-TV shows will probbably be better. We saw Scooby Doo when DS1 was about 3 nd he was terrified because Scooby was so tal (about 7' )

The tiger who came to tea is fantastic - you'll have a great time

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