I went to see a matinee show and there were a lot of school trips…

AND it was brilliant!

I treated myself to seeing Hercules - a favourite of mine when I was a child. I just love the music and the Gospel singers in the Disney film, and it was brilliant hearing it live. Now usually when you see a matinee, you can see other audience members groan when they see groups of school children joining. Perhaps they think they are going to talk all the way through or do something to make their experience less enjoyable? I could tell the teachers were on high alert, keeping them ‘in check’ with their theatre etiquette but I think they were much too strict. You see the audience, when watching a show, adds to the experience too. This audience was excited and hanging on every word which meant there was a brilliant energy in the room. You could hear and feel them really enjoying every moment - and for me, there is nothing more special than that! When they audibly reacted to Hercules and Meg smooching for the first time, they were met with waves of ‘shhh’ from their teachers - but they were having a genuine brilliant reaction to what was happening in the show - and that should be encouraged! Knowing they were enjoying it, and the energy that brought, made it even more enjoyable for me. 

We regularly take our students to shows and are always so proud of how they conduct themselves. Whilst phones need to be off and too much rustling is discouraged - reacting, in whatever way, to what they are seeing is strongly encouraged!