14 replies to this topic

[Alexandra]

I'd appreciate your help here on the musicals forum. I need to take an 11 year old boy to a musical (he's seen Matilda (and loved it)). I'm not much good on musicals and haven't seen many. Please forgive this profanity, but I've never seen Les Miserables - however, I've always quite fancied seeing it. Is it still good, or so far past its best it's not worth it? Anything better? (Sweeney Todd I have seen and enjoyed, but it might not be quite right).

[Sam4God]

If you don't mind a bit of strong language, then I'd say Billy Elliot would be perfect for an 11-year old boy! Especially as Billy's character is meant to be around 12 too.

Les Miserables is always a good choice. Although I personally think I'd have found Les Mis boring if I'd seen it at the age of 11!

Shrek could be another option?

[poster J]

I was 18 when I first saw Les Mis, and I don't think I'd have fully appreciated it if i had been much younger.

I've heard there's quite a lot of swearing in Billy Elliot, but I've not seen it myself.  There quite a lot of sexual innuendo in We Will Rock You, but it might go over his head and the music's good.

Wicked and Shrek are other possibilities, and depending on when you're going the Wizard of Oz (closes start of Sept) or Spamalot (only running during the summer).

[MrTRobz]

If Oliver was still running I'd suggest that but maybe you could check out the tour. Also in London at the minute there is Wicked, Shrek, Mamma Mia, Wizard of Oz, Lion King. I would say Shrek or Oz for his age. Lion King I have heard mixed things about. Wicked is fantastic but not for everyone. I would say the more familiar to him the better but essentially Matilda is the best family show out there at the minute so you have really seen the cream of the crop.

Les Miserables is fantastic but a bit of a bum number if you are a kid with not much going on in terms of spectacle. I would familiarise yourself with the Cast recording or film later this year first.

[Alexandra]

Thanks very much, all. Damn - I was hoping you'd say Les Mis would be perfect (because it's the one I most want to see) but you're probably right that he's a bit too young. I'm liking the Billy Elliot idea actually, think he'd like that (he won't mind the swearing, he hears worse at home!). I'm inferring from the fact that you haven't all recommended that it that not everyone thinks it's that great, but he isn't a connoisseur of musicals and I think as he liked Matilda he'd probably enjoy it.

[Titan]

Billy Elliot definitely, yes there is swearing but no worse than he would have heard at school.  Its a brilliant show with a great message and its hugely inspiring.  He may even relate to it a bit.

Lion King and Shrek are safe bets for pure entertainment

Wicked I would say is more of a girls show at that age.  Dont get me wrong, he'd probably enjoy it, but I think Billy Elliot is a better fit. Personally id avoid WOZ.

Les Miserables I would say might go over his head a bit, and he may find it boring

As an outside bet for something old fashioned but classya nd classic id suggest Singin In The Rain.

Billy Elliot gets my vote overall to be honest

[CaityGlinda]

I think Les Miserables is a show that you really have to concentrate on to understand what's going on. As it's entirely sung-through, you have to listen to every word that's being sung. I first saw it when I was 15 and loved it, although having seen it 3 more times since, I'm still finding bits within it and thinking "I didn't realise that happened"/"How did I miss that before?".

I have a friend who saw it for the first time when she was about 6 and enjoyed it. I think he would enjoy it if you tell him the basic storyline before you see it, so that he finds it easier to follow, and at the interval discuss what has happened in Act One to make sure he gets what's going on - unless you don't want to ruin it for yourself!

On the other hand, I would also recommend Billy Elliot or Wicked which are both great and perfect for his age - as long as you don't mind the strong language in Billy Elliot (Although if you've seen the film, the language is milder on stage from what I can remember).

[Alexandra]

Thank you everyone, really helpful. I've gone for Billy Ellliot but you've made me want to break my Les Mis duck, so that'll be next even if not with him.

[Cactus]

Alexandra, on 11 July 2012 - 10:53 AM, said:

Thanks very much, all. Damn - I was hoping you'd say Les Mis would be perfect (because it's the one I most want to see) but you're probably right that he's a bit too young.

I'm not sure about that. I was nine when I saw it for the first time and I know others who were around the same age and we all fully appreciated it and loved it from the first scene on. Of course it would be important to know the basic outline of the story and set of characters, but to rule Les Mis out completely doesn't make sense going by my personal experience - it always depends on the child...!

[ABowlerHat]

If only Spider-Man were here!