Matilda for young kids

We're coming to NY end of the summer and we always see at least one musical. My DS10 has read Matilda at school and also has seen the movie so this seems like a good one for him.

I'm trying to decide for DD6, and it's between Matilda (so we all go as a family) or seeing Wicked again (she saw it last year and loved it).

I've seen clips on youtube and it seems like a high energy show.

My questions are:

1. Is the story easily understood for younger kids?

2. Can you understand them or are their accents too thick? (my biggest worry)

3. Is the music catchy? I personally enjoy musicals where you walk out with the songs in your head.

I've heard that Matilda can be scary for young kids (I think there is a mean teacher?) but my younger one seems to understand the difference between something being real and made up stories.

Your Kids will be fine. The show isn't Barney or anything but it's not as Dark as many on here say it is.

I am curious to know what shows your kids did/do like. I have not yet seen Matilda, but it seems like it would be entertaining for the younger theatre goers. At the same time though, I am not certain I was looking for that type of show when I was a kid.

Updated On: 7/1/15 at 03:55 PM

"Just be aware it is a long show. I just recently saw the tour in LA and alot of the kids in the audience seemed restless."

Any longer than standard musicals? Our kids have seen Wicked, Mamma Mia.

I guess no longer than your standard musical. If I remember correctly, 2 hours 45 minutes including intermission.

When I took my family to see it a few weeks ago, it was a Sunday matinee and there were tons of kids around (way more than the one other time I saw it on a Thursday evening), and they all seemed to seriously enjoy it. Lots of positive reactions from the audience throughout and the end. I think the subject matter is accessible for kids but it also gives a lot to adults (without shying away from marketing it as a show about children for children) in terms of themes we would recognize on a deeper level. The music is catchy enough for kids while the lyrics and word play is top-notch and it's one of the best directed shows I've seen.

Updated On: 7/1/15 at 04:37 PM

I was able to, but I think it's because I listened to the cast recording. They changed the children's accents (or at least the Matildas) after the original cast left to make it easier to understand. I don't like it as much, but as people kept complaining they had to work to understand the lyrics, it was probably necessary. I think if there's trouble with understanding some of the lyrics, it's due to Tim Minchin's quick and clever word play (especially in Revolting Children during some of the chorus parts) rather than the accents.

Updated On: 7/1/15 at 05:00 PM

I would definitely recommend listening to the music a number of times before you go. The first time I saw it, I knew nothing about it..and I did have a little trouble understanding parts of it (But I had a terrible seat which didn't help). But then I saw it again after becoming familiar with the music and I enjoyed it so much more.

If they liked wicked, they are not going to be scared of Matilda. I have seen all ages see the show and most kids are fine. I especially remember one little boy of about 8-9 who literally burst into tears when it was over..he wanted more.

If you can manage it, I recommend this show to be viewed from the orchestra...the actors enter from the aisles and there are a couple of special effects which are more fully appreciated downstairs. Front Mezz should also be ok...but I would stay away from the balcony or rear anything ..it's just too far away.

I sat in the Balcony both times I saw the show and I appreciated the view because you really get to appreciate the set as a whole. Just be careful and not get seats in front of the poles.

"Definitely take the kids! They will LOVE it. It's a great show that everyone can enjoy."

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Just bought tickets for the 4 of us. Looking forward to it.

double post and why are the numbers of the posts all screwed up

Updated On: 7/1/15 at 08:43 PM

"Please DON'T bring kids under the age of 6 to a Bwy Theatre. There are special places designed for young audiences & BWY is NOT one of them. Yeah, you may have money to burn on your little precious ones - but the other audience members around you don't wish to sacrifice their experience to training sessions. Theatre mgmt. is trying to make money & cannot be expected to provide the boundaries that are needed to properly identify restrictions. MATILDA is not easy to follow with the strong dialects, etc. Wait until they are 10, at least."

In all my experiences of going to the theater, the by far worst and least considerate and annoying members of the audience have been adults...not children. For the most part, children do very well... and I have seen 4 year olds do better than some.

You can't lump all children together anymore than you can lump all adults....and assuming that families who bring young children have money to burn is just horrible. Maybe they just want to expose them to live theater....instead of being stuck in front of the "telly"...and save their money for such a special event.