Over 170 babies attend the first baby friendly show at London’s West End

A historic event at a historic location.

London's West End looked a little different yesterday when over 170 babies arrived to take their seats. The children and their parents took part in a historic moment when they attended the first baby and parent performance at the Vaudeville Theatre.

We had the best afternoon, thank you for making this possible! I hope this becomes standard across the West End ?? pic.twitter.com/FlTGlbME8w

— Becky Turner-Jones (@bext45) April 24, 2019

Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s play Emilia saw 182 adults, with 173 babies and 152 buggies arrive as the audience for their April 24 matinee. The showing is the first time ever that a parent and baby production has taken place in the West End.

It's all happening here at the Vaudeville Theatre for our #LetThemRoar performance of #Emilia! ??????

Here's the brilliant woman who inspired this performance to happen, @TheGoggin, the pram park in action and changing tables ready for our parent/carer and baby show! ?? pic.twitter.com/QN6W7oGhFM — Emilia The Play (@EmiliaThePlay) April 24, 2019

In preparation for the event, the theatre’s American Bar was turned into a baby changing area and extra staff were arranged to assist parents. According to The Stage, producer Nica Burns said of the event;

"I don’t know who was the most excited – the audience, the producers, the theatre staff, the cast. The atmosphere was vibrant, happy and extremely noisy."

Those working on the show say it was a tremendous success and they hope to share their experience with other theatre professionals in the hope that more baby and parent shows happen in the future.