16 posts
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Post by lovingtheatre2k17 on Sept 2, 2017 22:51:05 GMT
Is there a minimum age to enter London theatres alone? Particularly looking for Les Mis and Wicked.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2017 23:18:44 GMT
Wicked is 5+ I think, or possibly 8+. The show websites will say if there is a limit.
I wouldn't take anyone under about 14 to Les Mis - it's very long and not exactly fluffy subject matter.
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16 posts
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Post by lovingtheatre2k17 on Sept 2, 2017 23:29:01 GMT
Wicked is 5+ I think, or possibly 8+. The show websites will say if there is a limit. I wouldn't take anyone under about 14 to Les Mis - it's very long and not exactly fluffy subject matter. Do any theatres have a limit as to what age teenagers can go alone I,e without parents? |
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2,062 posts
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Post by Marwood on Sept 2, 2017 23:32:08 GMT
I would have thought about 15, depending on the theatre (and what the play/musical is)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2017 6:04:38 GMT
Wicked is 5+ I think, or possibly 8+. The show websites will say if there is a limit. I wouldn't take anyone under about 14 to Les Mis - it's very long and not exactly fluffy subject matter. Do any theatres have a limit as to what age teenagers can go alone I,e without parents? Most Disney shows (e.g. Aladdin, Lion King) require all 16 year olds and under to sit next to supervising adults, to go alone they have to be 17. Book of Mormon say 17 as well, though I think younger can attend with an adult. That's all I know.. |
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19,803 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 3, 2017 9:55:40 GMT
I would imagine that theatres would have all sorts of valid concerns about unaccompanied minors being in the audience, not just from a content point of view but for personal safety reasons. But in reality would we really expect a FOH to challenge a teenager presenting their own ticket? A little kid, yes but a teen? Can't see it happening.
There's probably a discussion to be had about children wandering around the west end on their own too. I'm no stranger to busy cities, living in Manchester City centre myself but find the WE quite intimidating. I certainly wouldn't want a child walking around on their own. I'm probs very old fashioned.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2017 10:04:27 GMT
Do any theatres have a limit as to what age teenagers can go alone I,e without parents? Yes, for reasons of child protection. You should check with the theatre's ticket office. |
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16 posts
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Post by lovingtheatre2k17 on Sept 3, 2017 10:37:35 GMT
Does anybody think that a pair of 14 year olds would be ok? They are mature and could definitely handle the experience, but would the theatre staff have a problem with it?
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19,803 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 3, 2017 10:43:24 GMT
Does anybody think that a pair of 14 year olds would be ok? They are mature and could definitely handle the experience, but would the theatre staff have a problem with it? You shouldn't rely on what people here think. As HG said, contact the theatre and find out what their policy is. If the policy is that you're not allowed then that's for a reason and you really shouldn't try to circumvent it. If you do try, and you don't get in then think how disappointed you'll be, not to mention the wasted money. The very best plan is to persuade an adult to go along with you. |
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Post by Jan on Sept 3, 2017 11:28:03 GMT
Does anybody think that a pair of 14 year olds would be ok? They are mature and could definitely handle the experience, but would the theatre staff have a problem with it? I don't see why there would be any problem, there isn't ever in my experience when 14 year olds go unaccompanied to the cinema or do all sorts of other things - you can fly unaccompanied on BA at 12 for example (also my personal experience). |
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19,803 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 3, 2017 11:40:44 GMT
^^ they would have to be booked in as unaccompanied minors though surely? and then the airline and crew will take certain precautions including where the child sits and who they sit next to etc.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2017 11:49:51 GMT
For Les Miserables, the Delfont Mackintosh Terms & Conditions say:
"All persons aged under 16 must be accompanied and sat next to the accompanying adult. They may not sit on their own within the auditorium. If children do have separate seats, entry could be refused."
I guess the risk to you is disappointment if you are younger than 16 and are asked to prove your age and then refused entry.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2017 13:03:38 GMT
Does vary by theatre - for instance while looking for something else I noticed the Hackney Empire says those under 14 need to be accompanied. So as above, only way to know is to check with the theatre. Surprised it isn't mentioned on ticket FAQs - for instance I can't find any mention on the Wicked website, although some agencies selling Wicked tickets say anyone under 16 needs to be accompanied.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2017 14:35:27 GMT
As others have said check with the theatre- most probably stick with 16 as that's a pretty generally recognised age that teens are allowed to do things alone being considered adult-ish at that point.
There's not a lot of black and white legal guidence for theatres so it's at the discretion of the management, so I'd always check ahead to avoid being disappointed.
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Post by firefingers on Sept 3, 2017 15:22:49 GMT
Back when I was 14 (only 10 years ago) if I wanted to get into anywhere where you had to have adult supervision like a music festival I'd just make friends with adults in front of me in the queue to get in. The other thing would be to get your tickets posted and just say your mum is in the loo etc when asked where you adult is by an usher, if they did ask which I doubt they would. Once youre in and mot causing a fuss I doubt anyone would notice, especially if you briefly chatted to your neighbours before the show started.
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Post by Jan on Sept 3, 2017 16:16:42 GMT
^^ they would have to be booked in as unaccompanied minors though surely? and then the airline and crew will take certain precautions including where the child sits and who they sit next to etc. Nope. None of those things. Actually I gave that example because I knew it would surprise some people. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2017 17:34:18 GMT
I don't think I'd consider leaving two 14 year olds, however mature they might be, at the theatre to enjoy the experience be it Les Mis, Wicked or whatever... Not in the current 'climate'. But then again if I had had to be accompanied to the theatre when I was a teenager, I would have seen virtually nothing, and would never have become interested in theatre at all. Because apart from the annual panto- where you'd be taken on a coach somewhere, or the odd school trip to see the Shakespeare you were studying that year, I went to see shows unsupervised with friends from the age of 15!
Oh the days of using your mum and dad's cheque book to pay for your tickets you'd reserved (for three days) by 'phone! Getting a lift to the station on the day to buy your train and tube tickets and remembering not to lose them for the return home. Walking to the theatre from Leicester Square station and never knowing which exit to use. No-one batted an eyelid in those days when a group of three, four, five of us turned up, fresh-faced and hardly 'mature' at all. Such happy times!
When I got to 18 I accompanied my parents to see shows, letting them in on the world I'd discovered. Something I've continued to do even now...
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2017 21:41:04 GMT
If it's not 35+ I'm furious
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2,778 posts
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Post by daniel on Sept 3, 2017 23:22:46 GMT
Most theatres will have a minimum age that they will permit anyone into the auditorium (kids shows are different), e.g. ATG is 5+, some others will be 3+...some shows will have age guidances, I think Billy Elliot was 10+...as for unaccompanied children, as has been echoed earlier by others, your best bet will be to check with the theatre. Sure, if they look 16 and are well behaved they probably wouldn't be questioned, but if they were refused entry, you'd probably be denied a refund on the grounds of it being in the T&Cs.
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Post by Jan on Sept 4, 2017 7:27:47 GMT
I find it interesting how people who don't have children in the relevant age group are far more protective than those who do, not just here but generally. Another example, from age 12 (start of secondary school) it is standard practice in London for kids to travel to school on their own which can involve multiple tube and bus connections and walking. This is far more complex and exposed than sitting in a theatre for a few hours.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2017 7:44:18 GMT
I find it interesting how people who don't have children in the relevant age group are far more protective than those who do, not just here but generally. Another example, from age 12 (start of secondary school) it is standard practice in London for kids to travel to school on their own which can involve multiple tube and bus connections and walking. This is far more complex and exposed than sitting in a theatre for a few hours. Very true! And I think the idea of it not being 'safe' at the theatre is quite funny compared to the average Secondary school as well...joking aside though I assume most say 14 year olds are allowed to go out shopping or to say cinema alone (as in with friends not 'adults') so that's no more/less safe than the theatre. I'd also venture that a teen interested in going to the theatre alone is probably a fairly mature and responsible one. |
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Post by Jan on Sept 4, 2017 8:22:28 GMT
I find it interesting how people who don't have children in the relevant age group are far more protective than those who do, not just here but generally. Another example, from age 12 (start of secondary school) it is standard practice in London for kids to travel to school on their own which can involve multiple tube and bus connections and walking. This is far more complex and exposed than sitting in a theatre for a few hours. Very true! And I think the idea of it not being 'safe' at the theatre is quite funny compared to the average Secondary school as well...joking aside though I assume most say 14 year olds are allowed to go out shopping or to say cinema alone (as in with friends not 'adults') so that's no more/less safe than the theatre. I'd also venture that a teen interested in going to the theatre alone is probably a fairly mature and responsible one. Some cinemas specify that age 12 and under have to be accompanied. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2017 8:38:09 GMT
Very true! And I think the idea of it not being 'safe' at the theatre is quite funny compared to the average Secondary school as well...joking aside though I assume most say 14 year olds are allowed to go out shopping or to say cinema alone (as in with friends not 'adults') so that's no more/less safe than the theatre. I'd also venture that a teen interested in going to the theatre alone is probably a fairly mature and responsible one. Some cinemas specify that age 12 and under have to be accompanied. n Christ alive some people will go a long way to be pedantic I was agreeing with what you wrote and said "14 year olds. |
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1,933 posts
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Post by LaLuPone on Sept 4, 2017 8:53:32 GMT
This minimum age at the theatre thing really p*ssess me off, I know everyone's just discussing here for the benefit of the OP but I really need to rant about it somewhere. The Wales Millennium Centre's policy is all Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult whatever the show which I think is ridiculous. Are they seriously trying to say that it's unsafe for two 14 or 15 year olds to attend a performance of Hairspray, Grease or Wicked without an adult in their hometown? It seems to me that they're just trying to make more money by making a parent come too. When I took my friend to Rent in April, we were techichally breaking policy because she was still 15 but obviously nobody ID'd her. I think it's a stupid stupid rule. We may be young but we were much better behaved than some of the so called "adults" who found themselves in the theatre that night.
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Post by Jan on Sept 4, 2017 8:53:34 GMT
Some cinemas specify that age 12 and under have to be accompanied. n Christ alive some people will go a long way to be pedantic I was agreeing with what you wrote and said "14 year olds. No I wasn't being pedantic, just offering another fact, wasn't really a reply to you. |
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