Taking your child to the theatre is a special experience. But it’s also a nerve-wracking one. Determining whether a show is suitable for your child and your parenting can be quite difficult. And though a show description might give you some insight into the suitability of a show, it probably doesn’t answer those burning questions you have. So to help you make the best decisions for you and your family this Kids Week, we’ve pulled together all the information you need to know on selected shows.
We’re Going On A Bear Hunt
Age recommendation: Under 5’s
Run-time: 55 minutes with no interval.
Does it contain bad language: No
Does it contain any sexual references: No
Are there any scary or unsettling bits: The bear may seem scary at first but he’s nice really.
Are booster seats provided: No
Is food and drink available: Refreshments are available at the theatre and you can take them into the auditorium.
Is merchandise available: There are lots of lovely We’re Going On A Bear Hunt-themed merchandise available to buy in the foyer.
Are babes in arms allowed in the auditorium: One babe in arms goes free with every ticket-paying adult. A ticket for the child is not required at this time.
Are there baby changing facilities: Yes. The front of house team will be able to direct you.
Does the show contain any lighting or sound effects which may startle my child: There are lighting changes and there is a dark moment when the cast goes into a cave, but otherwise there are no loud bangs or any startling lighting.
The Tiger Who Came To Tea
Age recommendation: Under 5’s
Run-time: 55 minutes with no interval.
Does it contain bad language: No
Does it contain any sexual references: No
Are there any scary or unsettling bits: No
Are booster seats provided: Yes, booster seats are available at the theatre. They are £1 to hire.
Is food and drink available: Tap water is provided, and Fruit Shoots and kid-friendly snacks are available to purchase.
Is merchandise available: No
Are babes in arms allowed in the auditorium: Yes, babes in arms are allowed. Babies under 18 months don’t require a ticket.
Are there baby changing facilities: Baby changing facilities and nappy bins are available.
Does the show contain any lighting or sound effects which may startle my child: No
The King And I
Age recommendation: 5+
Run-time: 2h50, including a 20-minute interval
Does it contain bad language: No
Does it contain any sexual references: No
Are there any scary or unsettling bits: No
Are booster seats provided: Booster seats are available to audience members in the stalls free of charge.
Is food and drink available: Tap water is provided, plus a full selection of refreshments.
Is merchandise available: Yes
Are babes in arms allowed in the auditorium: No
Are there baby changing facilities: No
Does the show contain any lighting or sound effects which may startle my child: No
42nd Street
Age recommendation: 8+
Run-time: 2h50, including a 20-minute interval
Does it contain bad language: No
Does it contain any sexual references: No
Are there any scary or unsettling bits: No
Are booster seats provided: Yes, booster seats are available free of charge.
Is food and drink available: Tap water is provided on request, and refreshments are available to purchase.
Is merchandise available: Yes
Are babes in arms allowed in the auditorium: No
Are there baby changing facilities: No
Does the show contain any lighting or sound effects which may startle my child: Yes
The Importance Of Being Earnest
Age recommendation: 8+
Run-time: The estimated run-time is 2 hours including a 20-minute interval
Does it contain bad language: No
Does it contain any sexual references: No
Are there any scary or unsettling bits: No
Are booster seats provided: Yes, there are 50 plastic booster seats available free of charge per performance.
Is food and drink available: Refreshments are available to purchase.
Is merchandise available: No
Are babes in arms allowed in the auditorium: No
Are there baby changing facilities: No
Does the show contain any lighting or sound effects which may startle my child: There may well be short dark periods during scene changes.
A Monster Calls
Age recommendation: 10+
Run-time: 2h5 including an interval
Does it contain bad language: Very mild language used – e.g. git and crap
Does it contain any sexual references: No
Are there any scary or unsettling bits: Yes. Some movement scenes may be scary. Plus, the play is about a mother dying of cancer which may be distressing to younger children.
Are booster seats provided: No
Is food and drink available: There is family-friendly food and drink (including tap water) available in The Old Vic’s basement cafe bar, Penny.
Is merchandise available: No
Are babes in arms allowed in the auditorium: No
Are there baby changing facilities: Yes
Does the show contain any lighting or sound effects which may startle my child: There is some loud music and strobe lighting effects.
The Play That Goes Wrong
Age recommendation: 8+
Run-time: 2h5 including a 20-minute interval
Does it contain bad language: No
Does it contain any sexual references: No
Are there any scary or unsettling bits: No
Are booster seats provided: No
Is food and drink available: Refreshments are available to purchase.
Is merchandise available: Yes.
Are babes in arms allowed in the auditorium: No
Are there baby changing facilities: No
Does the show contain any lighting or sound effects which may startle my child: There are some loud sound effects.
Witness For The Protection
Age recommendation: 8+
Run-time: 2h15 including a 20-minute interval
Does it contain bad language: No
Does it contain any sexual references: No
Are there any scary or unsettling bits: The opening scene sees the lead character imagining he’s been convicted of murder and is about to be hanged. Though the hanging doesn’t happen, his distress might be unsettling for younger children as it happens so early in the play.
Are booster seats provided: No
Is food and drink available: General refreshments are available to purchase.
Is merchandise available: No
Are babes in arms allowed in the auditorium: No
Are there baby changing facilities: No
Does the show contain any lighting or sound effects which may startle my child: There are some short dark periods.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Age recommendation: PG
Run-time: 2h40 including a 20-minute interval
Does it contain bad language: Some strong language used.
Does it contain any sexual references: Contains mild sexual references.
Are there any scary or unsettling bits: No
Are booster seats provided: Yes
Is food and drink available: General refreshments are available to purchase.
Is merchandise available: Yes
Are babes in arms allowed in the auditorium: No
Are there baby changing facilities: No
Does the show contain any lighting or sound effects which may startle my child: No
Knights Of The Rose
Age recommendation: PG
Run-time: 2h30 including an interval
Does it contain bad language: No
Does it contain any sexual references: We’ve heard from a parent that there are mild sexual references. Nothing too bad but it did make their 10-year-old blush.
Are there any scary or unsettling bits: The show contains some battle violence including sword fighting and death.
Are booster seats provided: No
Is food and drink available: Sweets and soft drinks are available to purchase.
Is merchandise available: Yes
Are babes in arms allowed in the auditorium: No
Are there baby changing facilities: No
Does the show contain any lighting or sound effects which may startle my child: No
Six The Musical
Age recommendation: PG
Run-time: 75 minutes with no interval
Does it contain bad language: Mild language used
Does it contain any sexual references: No
Are there any scary or unsettling bits: No
Are booster seats provided: No
Is food and drink available: Fully stocked bar with juice, soft drinks and water.
Is merchandise available: No
Are babes in arms allowed in the auditorium: No
Are there baby changing facilities: No
Does the show contain any lighting or sound effects which may startle my child: This show includes strobe lighting, loud bangs, plus general sound and lighting effects.
The Woman In Black
Age recommendation: PG
Run-time: 2 hours including a 15-minute interval.
Does it contain bad language: Mild language used
Does it contain any sexual references: No
Are there any scary or unsettling bits: Yes, it’s a ghost story with some unsettling scenes.
Are booster seats provided: No
Is food and drink available: There’s a fully stocked bar and kiosk with the usual theatre drinks, snacks, ice-creams etc as well as a selection of Bagels.
Is merchandise available: There are various Woman In Black souvenirs such as key rings and mugs available.
Are babes in arms allowed in the auditorium: No
Are there baby changing facilities: No
Does the show contain any lighting or sound effects which may startle my child: Loud chilling sound effects are used throughout.
This is only a selection of shows available for Kids Week. To see what else is included, click here. If you weren’t able to find the information you’re looking for, please contact the theatre as they should be able to answer your questions.