I'm after some advice from parents who've had children tour. My daughter Heather (7, almost has got the part of Gretl in the SoM tour and this is her first ever "job".
I am a bit niave really and I know when she goes away for 3 nights at a time she'll be staying in nice hotels etc and they'll have the chaperone and the tutor but it's things like what/when do they eat etc that I'm not sure about.
Also, she'll be away at rehearsals on her 8th birthday so I won't get to see her do they do anything for them on their birthday, even if it's only acknowledge it by singing Happy Birthday.
Hi my dd is away with SOM at the moment. They are always fed and looked after really well so don't worry about it.
The chaperones are really nice and really approachable if you have any worries.
With regards to birthdays as far as I know they usually have cakes and I'm sure a sing song!!!
DS was away for somewhile on and off (not SOM) and they are very fussy about making sure the children eat properly at mealtimes etc. At your DD's young age she will be looked after very well, but if you have any concerns at any time just speak to one of the chaperones - that's what they're there for.
DS was away for his 9th birthday and had a HUGE fuss made of him all day (including dinner at the Rainforest Cafe, a card signed by all the cast and production team, and being duped into rehearsing a fake 'lift' by all the cast so they could all sing Happy Birthday to him whilst holding him aloft!!!) I was really upset about not seeing him, but he had a birthday he'll never forget!
Loads of congratulations and good luck to your little DD - she will have a ball!
Don't count your chickens until the contract's in your hand!
Thank you so much, My main concern was the eating, I don't want her eating fish fingers and chips everyday, I'm quite strict in making sure she has lots of fruit and veggies everyday etc. I guess they would be sensible as they want them to remain as healthy as possible don't they.
As far as the eating is concerned, you need to make sure you let the chaperone know what she is used to eating on a daily basis. They may even ask for her favourite foods etc.
With regards to her being ill, they will notify you as soon as necessary, and if she is too ill to leave the hotel they would leave her there with a chaperone until you can go and get her (if it is decided this is necessary). They are also very strict about getting them seen by doctors if they think it necessary.
I can, of course, only go by our own personal experiences, but the one time DS was taken ill at the theatre, he was taken back to the hotel with a chaperone who waited until we arrived to pick him up (our choice). We did have the option of leaving him at the hotel overnight to see if he improved, but he wanted to come home so we went and got him!
Don't count your chickens until the contract's in your hand!
Hi with regards to room sharing there are 5 girls and they have a 2 and a 3 share usually the Gretl is in the 3.
If they are ill the chaperones will stay at the hotel with them, if they are ill during the night they have the chaperones phone number and the chaperone will come to the room.
With regards to eating its very varied sometimes they will go for a pizza as a treat but quite often they eat at the theatre if the green room has the facilities.
They get things like lasagne, curry, roast dinner, chicken and salad, jacket potatoes. These are just a few of the things my dd has told me.
They don't let them have lots of sweets or anything like that but do get the odd biscuit or ice cream.
If you have anymore questions please feel free to ask. x
Have to say when DD toured with SOM, the food varied from venue to venue - some she really liked, others she was less keen on . Mostly, they ate at their hotel or at theatre; didn't eat 'out' very often. She certainly came home much less fussy!
My DD turned 9 during rehearsals & the lovely chaperones got her a cake (& she got a cute teddy from her wonderful Von Trapp family).
The chaperones are fantastic - there was always an adjoining room kept next to theirs for any poorly children. My DD went down with flu when they were in MK (they thought she had Swine Flu); they took her to an NHS drop in centre & looked after her until I could get there to pick her up.
The kids all look out for each other when they're away, and the older girls tend to 'look after' the little ones. My DD loved being away (she said she preferred it to being at home!) and she still really misses her 'siblings'.
It's a fantastic experience, and you & your DD will love it - good luck!
Hi...first of all congratulations to your dd. It's a fabulous show & she'll have an amazing life enhancing experience, which I can say without any shadow of a doubt. However, not sure I agree with any of the above. If diet is a big thing, I think you need to ask your dd daily what she has been fed and reinforce what you would like her to eat. My dd at the age of 8 was allowed to order mash potato & chips and to my utter amazement no adult present challenged this. Pls pm me if you'd like me to elaborate further.
I agree with Claret that there are sausages and mash, chips etc on the menu but there also seems to be healthier options.
I suppose part of it is down to your dd to order what you would want her to have.!!!
has got the part of Gretl in the SoM tour and this is her first ever "job".
do they do anything for them on their birthday, even if it's only acknowledge it by singing Happy Birthday.
