4 tips for London West End musicals to see with kids

Mamma Mia!
The feel-good musical Mamma Mia! was not on my radar before Big Girl had started hearing about the show from friends. I thought there were many other musicals we would take the children to before this, but because of Kids Week we decided to book Mamma Mia for the whole family and it was a complete hit. We had no questions about why there were three potential dads in the story, and there was nothing we found scary. The show is upbeat, light-hearted and practically like a mini ABBA concert at the end. I think Mamma Mia! could be a good choice for families with children sensitive to scary scenes as it truly is a feel-good story about family and marriage. The show is recommended for 5 years and above.

Disney’s Aladdin
With a mega impressive set, a flying carpet and a hilarious genie, there’s no denying that Disney’s Aladdinhad us beaming with excitement and I happily bought a £25 bear on the way out to have a sweet memory from this brilliant evening out. There were plenty of children in the audience when we went in August and the show was much funnier than expected with the genie practically reminiscing a stand-up comedian at times. There are, however, scenes that can frighten little children, such as when Aladdin enters the cave and the gate closes unexpectedly. The recommended minimum age is 6 years.

Wicked
When we first took Big Girl to West End we went to see Wicked, and the set and singing voices had us taken aback. The show is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which re-imagined the Land of Oz and created a new version of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and there are parts which children may find scary.
I still remember the moment Elphaba sings Defying Gravityas the evening’s highlight. The recommended minimum age is 7 years, and children under 3 are not permitted.

Disney’s Lion King
One of my first London West End experiences with Daddy T was Disney’s Lion King, and I remember being seated next to a big group of children from a language school. With or without children in tow, however, Lion King made for an amazing evening out and what impressed me most of all were the superb costumes. The beautiful songs we knew so well and the impressive set were other highlights. Some scenes might be scary for young children, and the recommended minimum age is 6 years. Children under 3 years are not permitted.

Next on my list now is Matilda!

Tags: Aladdin, Disney, Lion King, London, Mamma Mia, Musicals, West End, Wicked