Passing on the experience of live entertainment to the next generation

Some of the greatest gifts we can give our children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews aren’t wrapped in paper.  They’re wrapped in experiences.

For me, introducing my nieces to live theatre, musical theatre and the performing arts became one of those gifts.

At the time, it was simply about sharing something I loved with them. Theatre wasn’t something that previous generations of our family had regularly experienced, so it was exciting to open the curtain on a completely new world.

Years later, something wonderful happened.

Those same little girls now occasionally travel to London’s West End to see some of the world’s greatest musicals. Even more heart-warming, they’re beginning to share those experiences with their own children.

I quietly smile every time I hear about another family theatre trip.

Not because I take any credit, but because it reminds me how a single experience can inspire another, and then another, creating memories that span generations.

That’s why I’ll never stop booking productions that some people might describe as “children’s shows.”

Take Mary Poppins The Musical, for example.  What a magical theatrical experience.

From the spectacular special effects and breathtaking choreography to the unforgettable chemistry between Mary Poppins, Bert, Mr and Mrs Banks, Michael and Jane, every scene felt filled with imagination and joy.

As much as I loved watching the performers on stage, I found myself equally captivated by the audience.

Children who might normally struggle to sit still watched with complete fascination. Eyes widened, smiles grew bigger, and the theatre seemed filled with a sense of wonder that only live performance can create.  Some children cosying up to sit on Mum or Dad’s knee as they might do at home.

Watching the chimney sweeps dance across the rooftops, I couldn’t help thinking that, given half the chance, I’d have happily joined them!

That’s the beauty of theatre.  For a couple of hours – I felt about ten years old again.

It reminds adults what it feels like to dream, while introducing children to stories, creativity and imagination that stay with them longer than we know.

The next generation is the future of our theatres, concert halls and cultural venues.

If we want live entertainment to continue thriving, we have to give young people the opportunity to experience it, to fall in love with it, and perhaps one day share that same magic with their own families.

So, if you’re wondering whether to book that family musical…  Book it.

One day, today’s children will become tomorrow’s parents and grandparents. The shows they experience now may inspire the traditions they create for generations to come.

Perhaps that’s the true magic of live theatre. It isn’t simply what happens on stage. It’s the memories we carry home, the stories we continue to tell, and the experiences we choose to pass on.

Without even realising it, you’ll have given them something far more valuable than a ticket.

You’ll have given them a lifelong love of theatre… …and memories of you that they will carry with them for years to come.

Find the video on our TikTok Page, or head to “Beyond the Spotlight UK” Podcast for more.