2-year-old at "Matilda"
2-year-old at "Matilda"
Broadway Star Joined: 5/29/03
2-year-old at "Matilda"#1
Posted: 8/19/13 at 1:37pmFriday night in the balcony at Matilda, a couple in the row behind me somehow managed to get in with a child who was no more than 2 1/2, and did exactly what children that young do: Make noise. At intermission, I went and asked an usher why they'd been allowed in - - there are always signs in the theaters saying children under 4 (at least) aren't permitted. She was very nice and very troubled by it, too. Said she and another usher had been going over and standing by the family's row, trying to silently make the point that this was inappropriate. She suggested I go downstairs and let the head usher know there was a problem, so I did. I mostly just wanted to vent, nicely, hadn't even thought of asking for another seat somewhere (not that there seemed to be any), but the head usher said there was an orchestra seat I could have, so I took her up on it and ended up in a terrific aisle seat about 10 rows from the stage. So, very appreciative of the ushers' help, but still wondering how so small a child was allowed in, and whether any of you have had this happen?
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
2-year-old at #2
Posted: 8/19/13 at 1:45pm
But what about everyone else in that section? Drives me nuts when people don't follow their own rules.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
2-year-old at #2
Posted: 8/19/13 at 1:47pm
I wonder if the 2 1/2 year old could have passed for a 4-year-old. Or the other way around: the 4-year-old may look younger than he/she is. Isn't it an honors' system? People are supposed to follow the rules, but unfortunately don't. Sometimes, young kids' ages are difficult to pinpoint, thus making it increasingly impossible for theaters to determine their age.
As long as a parent says his or her kid is the minimum age, and the kid could pass for that age, the theater will let the kid in.
Leading Actor Joined: 5/22/11
2-year-old at #3
Posted: 8/19/13 at 2:02pm
An exception? To the rules? IN THE THEATRE?!
Matilda reference...... I had to lol
2-year-old at #4
Posted: 8/19/13 at 2:14pm
^Made my day!! :)
This reminds me of when I was seeing Wicked about two years ago. I had won the lottery and was sitting first row with my cousin. Behind us was young girl, not older than two or three. She had her own seat and did not make a peep in the entire show. However, I curious as to why she had been let in and my cousin raised a good point/ She may of been the child/family member of a cast member who simply couldn't find anywhere else for the child to go. Maybe that's what happened?
2-year-old at #5
Posted: 8/19/13 at 2:41pmHow would an usher verify if a child is under four or not? Ask the parents for a birth certificate? Unless it's an extreme case (such as someone trying to bring a baby in), it seems like a generally unenforceable rule.
2-year-old at #7
Posted: 8/19/13 at 4:24pm
When I saw CINDERELLA, it was a matinee performance and directly in front of me on the way into the theatre was a couple that a child about that age. Maybe 3, but certainly not four. The ticket-taker stopped them and asked how old the child was, and when they said two or three (I honestly forget which but it wasn't four) the ticket-taker called who I assumed was the House Manager over, as he was near. He pulled them aside, and as my ticket was scanned I heard him saying that they could bring the child in so long as they agreed to take her out into the lobby if at any point she started making noise.
Now, I'd also argue that CINDERELLA is far more appropriate for that pre-school age than MATILDA is, with a calmer, less aggressive story and tone, so that also might allow them to be a little more relaxed with the 4+ rule. Honestly, with CINDERELLA, I didn't mind them letting little tykes in so long as they were being as up-front about it being an exception and the conditions they would have to abide by. MATILDA is much more startling show for a 2-3 year old, and would be more upset about exceptions to this rule there, as you were.
2-year-old at #8
Posted: 8/19/13 at 4:27pmWhen I saw Matilda there was a baby in the balcony as well. I wasn't able to see hear but she managed to speak up at the quiet moments and talk loudly in general. Lots of "mommy, why did he say that?" type of questions over and over. The balcony chuckled several times when the baby went "awwwww" at certain points.
2-year-old at #9
Posted: 8/19/13 at 4:38pmI might be too experienced with children, but it's easy to know their ages. In all my years working in theater, no child has been turned away, no matter how young. There you go.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/15/13
2-year-old at #10
Posted: 8/19/13 at 4:43pm
OMG that is unacceptable!!! SO cuz one couple is too cheap to get a babysitter, or so clueless that they thing everyone else will just find their buddle of joy precious, dozens even hundreds of other high paying customers have to suffer.
Shame on the theater for letting it in, but kudos for doing you right with that great seat. now i wonder about the other dozen patrons in that area who didnt complain. they probably did not enjoy the show
Leading Actor Joined: 3/22/05
2-year-old at #11
Posted: 8/19/13 at 4:56pmI was there as well. It was incredibly distracting and very frustrating, but did seem to get better after intermission. Thanks for saying something.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/12
2-year-old at #12
Posted: 8/19/13 at 5:02pm
I was in the balcony for Mary Poppins back in February and there was a woman with a three year old who became frightened when the lights went down. The child was upset but did not cry very loudly; we noticed her but didn't say anything. The mother took the child to the balcony lobby immediately and together they watched the entire show on the flatscreen over the bar, sitting on a comfortable bench. And a kid of front of me slept through the whole first act curled up on his seat with his jacket as a blanket, then at the start of Act 2 he turned to stretch and slid right off his seat into the lady in front of him, right on top of her head.
Kids in the theater can be disruptive but cute! Well, maybe not Sleepyhead but the three year old was adorable.
Updated On: 8/20/13 at 05:02 PM
Stand-by Joined: 11/28/11
2-year-old at #13
Posted: 8/19/13 at 5:27pm
From what I've seen, it is usually up to the discretion of the head of house staff unless the theater company/producers make a strong statement about an age level. The general statement when they are let in, is exactly what a previous poster said: Please take them out in to the lobby if they are disruptive.
Unfortunately, people can be disruptive at any age-we were behind a family at a performance with children who were at least six or above, and one of the children began talking because she wanted to move down to the main floor from the Mezzanine-they also left to go to the bathroom and came back talking. The worst though, was that the adults that were with them spent most of the second act texting and/or surfing the internet on their phones.
On the other hand, some audience members can pleasantly surprise you-I heard one person in a group at Newsies remind all of her friends shortly before the show that they needed to turn off their phones-which they all did.
2-year-old at #14
Posted: 8/19/13 at 5:43pmI once saw a woman smuggling -yes smuggling- her infant into a show. She passed me in the lobby with her jacket zipped up. When she bent down I saw the baby inside the jacket, you know, hanging from around the woman's neck. She walked straight into the theater with the baby out of sight.
2-year-old at #15
Posted: 8/19/13 at 6:22pmSo many parents have no business being parents today.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
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