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Original poster

At what age do you think they appreciate shows ie Ceebeebies Live etc in big arenas?

14 replies

oliveoil · 16/08/2006 14:31

As I am looking at Disney Princess and Ceebeebies at the Manchester Arena but don't want to shell out if they would find it too much, it is a HUGE venue.

Girls will be 4 and 2.

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 16/08/2006 14:46

I think arena shows like this are a bit of a con to be honest - the stage is so far away you mostly watch the screens and might as well be at home watching the TV from the other end of the sitting room!
I also find them really expensive for what you get, so little shows at local theatres get my vote every time even if they're not specfically child-orientated - much more rewarding as you can really see the performers. I myself much prefer going to small gigs than stadium ones and I think the same concept applies.
Touring ballet companies, the local Stagecoach shows, panto etc have all gone down well at various ages, and the Riverdance-type show (Lord of the Dance? I forget) was a huuuge hit.

To summarise my cynical thoughts:
it'll be hell (600000 screaming tinies), cost a fortune, and you won't be able to see a thing. Don't do it.

Original poster
oliveoil · 16/08/2006 14:48

I can get really good tickets though because I am special and have contacts

Hmmmmm, dd1 is a bit soft and may come over all whiney and want to go home however

OP posts:
nutcracker · 16/08/2006 14:50

I took Ds and Dd2 to Cbeebies last year. They both enjoyed it but didn't really get into it until near the end which was a shame. Dd2 was 5 and Ds was just 3. We had front row seats though which helped I think and tbh I don't think it would have held Ds's attention if we'd been sat further back.

It's hard to judge really. We have booked to go and see the Snowman again in Jan, have already been once with just dd's and they loved it so am taking Ds this time and he'll be 4 but i'm not totally sure he'll love it like the girls did.

Dd's are also going to see Disney Princess on ice, but they are 6 and 8 so am not worried about them enjoying it.

Earlybird · 16/08/2006 14:52

Your 2 year old is too young, IMO. Also agree with MrsBadger about arenas not being the best place for little ones to see/enjoy a show.

Took dd to see Clifford the Big Red Dog live when she was 3.5, and despite being very excited in advance, she hated it. Too loud, scary, storyline hard to follow, etc. In spite of all my urging we left at intermission because she was so unhappy. Complete waste of money. OTOH, took her to see The Wiggles at Hammersmith a month ago (smaller venue, closer seats, dd now 5.5), and she loved it.

Original poster
oliveoil · 16/08/2006 14:53

We tried to see Lazytown at some Sky thing at the weekend but it was too busy and dd1 got all upset so we mentioned this Ceebeebies thing and she seemed keen

Hope she forgets then eh?!

Thank you.

xx

OP posts:
Dottydot · 16/08/2006 14:55

We took our ds's to last Christmas's CBeebies show - ds's were 4 and 1.9 at the time and they both loved it. Depends what your children are like - ds2 is very outgoing, loves people and noise and actually enjoyed it more than ds1 who's very quiet and took longer to get used to the concept of sitting with 2,000 other screaming children!

But they were entranced by the show and still have the programme from time to time as one of their bedtime stories!!

Original poster
oliveoil · 16/08/2006 14:57

was this at the arena dot? Tis far bigger than 2000 methinks

dd1 is soft, dd2 feisty so will be ok

OP posts:
lemonaid · 16/08/2006 15:02

Took DS to see the Wiggles aged 18 months (I dithered over whether he was too young) and he sat through the whole thing absolutely enthralled. Mind you, it was at a reasonably small venue, he is Wiggles-obsessed and it's a more straightforward proposition than Cbeebies Live. I don't think I'd do Cbeebies Live until he was at least 3 or 4 (if at all).

Dottydot · 16/08/2006 15:08

Hi - yes it was the arena. It wasn't full - maybe about half full? It was very noisy though... Ds1's main concern was that we hadn't bought him a light up thingy to wave around - clearly essential when all the other screaming monsters have got one...

WestCountryLass · 16/08/2006 21:06

Just got back today from Thomas at Cardiff Arena and mine absolutely loved it, THomas is a big hit in thsi house though - mine are 4 and 2 as well.

Was anexpensive day out but it was worth it as they did love it!

TooTicky · 16/08/2006 21:11

Judging by a lot of mn posts, late twenties - early thirties

Skribble · 16/08/2006 22:01

If you are special like me and you will have seats near the front then your LOs will love it, you may hate it but they will bounce around like demented babies on speed.

It is bedlam and you struggle to hear some of the dialoge sometimes, not that it is vital to hear it . We have seen a few of these types of shows and they are good, I take it you will have meet and greet privilages too.

Skribble · 16/08/2006 22:04

Thomas show is pretty good as it is all so big isn't it, top tip for merchandise, buy some Cbeebies goodies before you go and when they start whining for a toy hey presto produce one from your bag, The Cbeebies magazine often has little toys on the front. Plus take drinks as the venues can get very warm and sweaty and sweets to get the full hyper mode.

earlgrey · 16/08/2006 22:06

3? Just a guess, going on my two.

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