We had an action packed Easter holidays with lots of days out, meeting up with friends and generally having fun. I’d kept one activity secret, mainly because I wasn’t sure how well it would go down! I’d booked tickets for Monkey to go to the theatre. We were off to see Peppa Pig’s Big Splash at the Riverside Theatre in Aylesbury. One of our NCT group had already booked tickets a while back, and I’d been toying with the idea for some time. It was on over the holiday’s – I booked it, row D – this could go badly wrong!! Monkey in a packed theatre, at the front, lots of noise. But I knew that Peppa and her friends were not life-size, it might be ok. So the day before the show, I revealed my secret. Monkey would be seeing Peppa Pig. Will Daddy Pig be there too Mummy? Yes, I think so.
I showed Monkey the Peppa Pig Live website so he could see what the show would look like. There won’t be anything scary, you will just be seeing Peppa Pig and her friends. It will be fun, oh, and your friends E and J are going too! He seemed excited, phew, maybe this would be ok.
I drove to Aylesbury, parked the car just around the corner from the theatre and we ate our lunch quickly. Then we were off, Monkey would be seeing Peppa Pig and he was still excited. It was our first visit to the Riverside Theatre, and really to Aylesbury. It’s somewhere I drive through to get to somewhere else really. Our tickets included free souvenir programmes for the show, we picked these up (I gave mine to E later) and Monkey bought Mr Dinosaur with some Easter money he’d been given. I thought Mr Dinosaur might come in handy if Monkey got scared or anxious.
We found our seats, wow, we really were very close to the stage. This could go horribly wrong. Seeing Peppa Pig could be a disaster. But Monkey was still excited, impatient to see Daddy Pig for some reason. Where is he Mummy? Is there going to be a big screen? No we’ll be seeing Peppa Pig on the stage Monkey. A bit like when we saw Andy and Mike last year.
I’d made sure we got to the Theatre early, so Monkey could get used to his surroundings before all the seats started to fill up. He was a bit unsure to start with but was soon looking forward to seeing Peppa Pig. He got to say hello to his friends E and J and then it was time for the show to start. I kept my fingers crossed as the curtains went back, at least we were near the exit if it all went horribly wrong!
What on earth was I worried about?? He loved seeing Peppa Pig and all her friends. Every time he saw George and his Mr Dinosaur, Monkey just roared with his own Mr Dinosaur. He joined in, called out when he was meant to and sang along to the Bing Bong song. It was going well, wow, what a relief.
Monkey wasn’t quite so impressed with the interval. Where have they gone, Mummy? I want to see Peppa!! Don’t worry, they just need a drink, they will all be back soon. Are you enjoying seeing Peppa Pig? Yes, Mummy, this is fun. Can I help mend the school roof? Maybe, we’ll see.
Before we knew it the curtain was up for the second half of the show. I really think the use of puppets was a great idea. I wasn’t sure how it would work as the puppeteers were so clearly visible, but the kids all loved it. Much better than adult life-size costumes, which must seem enormous to little children. I know that would have totally freaked Monkey out.
Monkey was doing really well, right up until the Big Splash! Being in row D wasn’t such a good idea at that point! But he sat on my lap and I calmed him down, it’s only a bit of water Monkey. By the end of the show, he was happy again, seeing Peppa Pig had gone down well. We both survived the experience!
Would you like to go to the Theatre again Monkey? Yes please, Mummy! Phew, the right result. I really can recommend Peppa Pig’s Big Splash, especially for more timid children. Our trip to the Theatre had been a success, seeing Peppa Pig was a highlight of the school holidays.
Now to convince Monkey that the Cinema really isn’t a scary place. I wonder whether Postman Pat the Movie can help with his next step up the bravery ladder?
My son has always loved the theatre, there is something very nice about going. Its the fact its not very often and its different. Good luck with the cinema, maybe postman pat is the man for the job?! 🙂
It’s great he enjoyed it, I’m sure he will be okay with the cinema soon too! My little two loved Peppa Pig big splash too, I think it was a really well done show with loads of interaction to keep the kids attention
It was a great ice breaker – fingers crossed for Fireman Sam!
Sounds like you had a brilliant time and Monkey certainly looks like he enjoyed himself! If you have the family showings at any of your local cinemas on a Saturday morning for £1 each you might want to try one of those first – not so gutting if you have to leave early then!
Yes they have that at our new cinema, but they haven’t shown anything he’d actually even want to watch. Postman Pat might just do it!
We took ours to the theatre for the first time the other week and they loved it too 🙂
I was really surprised by how well it went, I’m not sure the cinema will work so well though.
Wow-my little one would love this-Peppa is HUGE deal in our house.Wish I had invented her-the creators must be absolutely loaded!
It was a fab show, yes, a simple idea with so much commercial opportunity
That’s brilliant, glad he enjoyed it
It was a big relief! You know how uncertain he was in Bournemouth last year.
Aww sounds like he had so much fun! Big steps in bravery for your monkey, love it xx #ssaa
It was an unexpected moment of wonder
That’s brilliant! Such a big step, so glad he enjoyed it x #SSAA
So am I – and relieved!
This looks like a great day out! LP doesn’t have a clue who Peppa Pig is yet, thankfully but definitely something for us to take her to in the future x
Do you know I was really reluctant for Monkey to watch Peppa last year, but actually it’s so funny and even we like it. So much better than Night Garden which used to drive me insane
Glad he liked it – I’m not sure if I’m brave enough to try yet lol #Smallsteps
He did so much better than I’d expected.
I remember the first time I took both my daughters to the theater. I had a lot of the same concerns you did and was I surprised! They loved it and talked about it for weeks on end! What a great event that they’ll remember for years to come! Thanks a lot for your post!
Yes, I’m hoping it will stay in his memory for a long time to come.
Hello there, I love this and it’s very very useful as we are due to see the show in June-so thank you! Really enjoying reading your blog and looking forward to reading more. x
Oh thank you, I can recommend it, if Monkey liked it then I’m sure you will be fine. Let me know!
All your concerns are exactly what we discuss if ever we plan to take Ethan to something, with a few added ones just for a bonus. We are yet to try the theatre, I don’t think we are quite ready but I would love to take Ethan to see The Lion King in London as they do an autism showing once a year. Monkey did so well, I’m so glad he enjoyed it. I will have to keep an eye out for this show. Can’t wait to see how he gets on at the cinema.
Thanks for linking up with Small Steps Amazing Achievements :0)
x
Someone was telling me about that special Lion King show, I actually think it would be ideal for Monkey and more reserved children too. We keep talking about the cinema, if anyone can get him to enjoy the experience it will be Postman Pat!