Opinions needed please

Agree. I wonder if the so called friend is jealous?

Is she happy?

She obviously has friends in both places. Social media is such an influence, as well - different friendship groups.

How long is this continuing, what's the plan for her after the rooming house?

I'm not sure that's a question any of us can answer. You know your daughter best and I don't know nearly enough about the arrangements themselves. Many children have presumably done this before, so hopefully they know how to look after children and keen them safe and sane, but it's also fair to say that some parents are overwhelmed, and others are too keen to want things to be great they don't want to complain. Organisations are much more switched on these days to the importance of safe-guarding.

I'm guessing as there will be multiple children all staying there at the same time so there will be opportunities to make friends their own age, which on top of the local children in the cast should help. Being the only child in a production of adults will be a different experience to being in a cast with multiple kids.

As someone already said, it very easily could become one of the best times of her life, which she'll look back on fondly. However, there are things that can make the experience better or worse, and as a parent it's your responsibility to make sure that the things your daughter needs are in place.

Presumably you live outside of London, but how far out? Will it be practical for you to visit her often? Will it be practical for her to come home and hang out with her existing school friends? So long as you have a plan for these sorts of things, I'm sure she'll have a positive experience.

As others have said, talk to your daughter. Make sure she has a realistic understanding of what's involved and ask her. It might be worth talking it over with her teachers too, to see if they have any tips to help her stay in touch with existing friends and to stay on track with how they do their curriculum.

It is so cruel that Covid struck, thereby limiting your daughter’s opportunity.

Performing in a lead role in a West End is such an enriching experience, better sets you up than education, which can be caught up on. Lucky we are not like America where a child plays the role full time, so in this country still gets a good chance to get a very reasonable education and socialising and hang out with her peers.

Well if it is your daughter’s dream, then live the dream.

Great analogy

Hi Nick, it seems to me your daughter is doing something she must love, she must be good to have been given this role, she’s still getting an education (academic, and being socialised into work discipline , something I’ve noticed in my career that many youngsters just don’t have and don’t want, what a great worker your daughter is and will be), and she’s being cared for professionally . I wish my parents were as encouraging as you are . Your “friend” has no idea , or rather , chooses to have no idea .

Why are you asked people here their opinion ? Just reading the spiteful, argumentative opinions on many posts should eliminate this place for parental advice.

Have you read the replies? Totally supportive.

Personally I find this forum argumentative at times but there's a streak of respect for fellow posters/ And little spite compared to some forums.

Having worked on similar shows I'd say: do pay attention to what your child wants and needs, make sure they are doing what they want and not what you want. I've seen too many unhappy kids who have been shoved on stage by pushy stage parents when the child would much rather be playing football or painting etc. And do remember a chaperone is a Jon, and not a substitute for a parent. Other than that, if your child is happy and you are happy then, why not?