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Original poster

Family show in London for dp's b'day

18 replies

needanothername · 06/05/2010 16:55

It's dp's 40th soon and I am planning a trip to London (from Scotland) to see a show. What's best for all the family (dcs age 11, 10 and 8) bearing in mind it's dp's b'day.

OP posts:
blametheparents · 06/05/2010 17:53

Lion King
Oliver

NOT Billy Elliot - loads of swearing!

Original poster
needanothername · 06/05/2010 20:51

Those were the two I was looking at - you think dp would also be amused? Les Mis is more up his street but not good for the kids. How about Wicked? Other threads have people raving about it but that's maybe more child-oriented. I'd love to see Billy Elliot but it wouldn't be his cup of tea anyway, I don't think, swearing or no.

Anyone else any thoughts?

OP posts:
SleepingLion · 06/05/2010 20:56

I haven't seen any of them but my friends took their DS aged 8 to see Wicked and all loved it. My friend had arranged it as a present for her DH and he was chuffed.

Original poster
needanothername · 06/05/2010 21:04

Anyone else, opinions on Wicked? Thanks Sleeping Lion, that's really helpful.

OP posts:
islandofsodor · 06/05/2010 21:33

Lion King is fantastic.

I am desperate to see Wicked, Rachel Tucker and Louise Daerman have just gone into it and supposed to be fab. The music is wonderful.

Oliver - I expect kids would enjoy that - Kerry Ellis has just gone in as Nancy, she is worth seeing.

Billy Elliott is great too, saw it last year but won't take dd until she is about 10 or so due to the swearing.

We Will Rock You - wonderful show but although very little swearing is very sexually suggestive in places, especially the dance routines.

Original poster
needanothername · 06/05/2010 22:39

Is We Will Rock You good for kids? My kids are pretty into Queen (thanks to their dad) so maybe this is the way to go... I'm just confused now...! Maybe I'm down to Lion King or Wicked, but how to decide...

OP posts:
Clayhead · 06/05/2010 22:42

My dh, who is no fan of musicals, loved Wicked when I dragged him to we went to see it. dc were 5 and 7 and both loved it too.

pissedrightoff · 06/05/2010 22:51

Just saw 'Wicked' last week, it was amazing.

I was moved to tears by one of the songs called 'Defying gravity', The two female leads were fantastic.

Did'nt see a lot of kids in the audience/foyer mind you,but think it would appeal to kids.

pissedrightoff · 06/05/2010 22:54

Also echo Clayhead, my DH was forced into going and thoroughly enjoyed it, and he is very'anti-musicals'

SixtyFootDoll · 06/05/2010 22:55

Lion King is amazing - absolutely amazing stage setes an costumes.

islandofsodor · 06/05/2010 23:28

We Will Rock You - fantastic music, thin plat, turns into a lets have an excuse to sing some more Queen songs towards the end but numebrs such as Who Wants to Live Forever and Only The Good Die Young are very moving. My dd loves their version of Radio Ga Ga alla about Globalsoft taking over the virtual world.

However the Killer Queen is a very risque character, refers to things like waxing her pussy lots of blatant innuendo in the dialogue between her and Kashoggi (secret police guy) and there are echoes of S & M in one of the dance routines of her entourage.

Am so jealous of those who have seen Wicked, especially since the recent cast change. Must save up to go. dd aged 8 wants to go too. After all "everyone deserves the chance to fly"

"I've always wanted to see the Emerald City"

Sorry, am a bit obsessed at the moment!!!

PiratePrincess · 06/05/2010 23:30

Oliver - best show ever!!

Absolutely brilliant for the kids too.

Original poster
needanothername · 08/05/2010 11:35

OK, now I'm getting confused. I need to put it back into context. This is a one-off for us. We live in Scotland, and we get some of the touring stuff. We saw Joseph and Mary Poppins but that's it. We are going once. DP is the main concern as it's his birthday, but it needs to be something the kids will enjoy too. Oliver is tempting but as ds2 is doing Victorians as a topic at school he's had a gutful of Oliver as they keep showing them bits. Also, we saw a local production - which was very good - but I feel maybe they've seen it and wouldn't appreciate it so much. However, I realise seeing it in the West End would be something completely different and am willing to be persuaded that that's the one to go for.
So, if you had to recommend one and only one for the whole family to enjoy and remember, on the basis that we won't be doing this again any time soon, what's it to be?!!!

OP posts:
islandofsodor · 08/05/2010 22:02

Right, forget We Will Rock You that is touring at the moment and will no doubt make its way up to you at sme point.

For a one off to remember with children that age I wouold go with Wicked first with Oliver as a second choice.

islandofsodor · 08/05/2010 22:02

Actually no

Wicked 1st choice

Lion King 2nd choice

Oliver 3rd choice

Original poster
needanothername · 10/05/2010 10:14

Thanks Islandsofsodor! That's the sort of straight talking I need! Really appreciate everyone's advice.

OP posts:
BannerGirl · 28/05/2010 11:32

Check out Impropera - Hilarious improvised opera show, Whose line is it anyway?meets opera, Kids well come to join in. Very accessible and great fun for all ages.

www.impropera.co.uk

bobbysmum07 · 29/05/2010 22:42

My kids have seen Billy Elliot. I took them when the youngest was 5 or 6. What's the problem? The show is full of kids and there were plenty in the audience when we went.

I don't think mine noticed the swearing really. Well if they did, they didn't comment on it. They loved the show.

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