Taking 3yo DD to Matilda theatre performance

[RedRobyn2021]

The site recommends 6+ but I don't believe it's enforced, just recommended

My daughter has a fantastic attention span (she will sit and do puzzles aimed at 5yo) and I have taken her to the cinema before where she has been enamoured for 2 hours. So I have absolutely no concerns about her being well behaved and enjoying the show.

I just want to know if it's too scary?

I went to see it in NY years ago myself but I can't really remember it except I thought it was fantastic

Definitely too young

We took our daughters to see it when they were (almost) 3 & 6. They were both absolutely glued to it. I still remember my youngest quietly gasping ‘it’s the trunchbull!’ when she came on stage! Other than that she was completely silent and in awe.

So glad we did it as we are rarely in London. It was really special.

I was just about to say that! We took DNephew who’s almost 6 to see The Billy Goats Gruff there recently which he loved, though he was also very keen on the ice cream and Fruit Shoot!

The only reason I’d suggest a more age appropriate show is because at the Polka recently it was very much aimed at the age range there.

However, unless another child comes along as well as an adult, I think the whole theatre experience can be a bit daunting for a young child, unless it’s age appropriate.

By this I mean, the dark spaces, actors, play, having to be quiet, so it makes all the difference if they can engage at their age and the age the show is aimed at. It’s pointless if they’re going to be startled or scared.

Does she like frozen? I took my 6yr old Neice and they loved it! I was actually really good and she'll know the songs if she's seen the film

The current West End production of Frozen (which is amazing by the way) is far more suitable for a younger child than Matilda. There are still scary bits but it's a lot milder. I love the fact that at the beginning they welcome anyone for whom this might be their first West End show/theatre experience.