To take dd to see swan lake?

[Slightlypanicked]

Dd is 7 and loves ballet. I have never been myself and was wondering if swan lake would be appropriate for a 7 (almost 8) year old?

[Mapless]

It'll be fine. Tell her the story. I took DD1 to Swan Lake at 3.5 yrs with a friend and her 3 yr old. (V well behaved girls who could sit through it). What a lovely opportunity. Enjoy .

[Kitla]

At that age my girls enjoyed watching things like the English Youth Ballet - it has children (who audition) in it, so my daughters enjoyed watching the children. It wasn't a children's ballet per se, but I think made it more accessible. If there's one near you, it's a great compromise.

[HerBigChance]

I'm almost certain I have seen young children of that age at Swan Lake. There are adult themes, but the ballet is so beautiful.

[Slightlypanicked]

Oh brill thank you I'm quite excited myself. Shall book the tickets then.

[ComaToes]

I would. As long as you know she can sit still for that long.

My ballet-obsessed child can sit happily for longer than I can when it's ballet...

[Momamum]

I took a friend to see the Saturday matinee performance of Swan Lake in Birmingham once.Magical! And not only for the ballet itself but also because the place was packed out by little girls (and some boys) absolutely enraptured by it

The Nutcracker at Christmas was another hit, too.

So, swan lake first, followed by the nutcracker and I promise you, you'll have a ballet convert for life

[DelphiniumBlue]

I'd try the Nutcracker first, she might find Swan Lake a bit long. Try familiarising her with the music before you go, and read up on the story so you can understand what's going on - its the same dancer playing 2 parts, so can be difficult to follow if you don't know the story.

[pud1]

I remember going to watch swan lake with my great grandma when I was about 7. It is one of my most treasured memories.

[AuntJane]

Swan Lake isn't an ideal first ballet. Try Coppelia or La Fille Mal Gardee, or Cinderella or Nutcracker if you're waiting until Christmas. And take some time beforehand to explain both the ballet and that you don't talk during the performance.

[meridithssister]

As others have said, Swan Lake is quite long but my 7 year old managed it and loved it.
If you haven't been to a ballet before be warned that absolute silence with no fidgeting will be expected or else you will get tutted at. Buy the best seats you can afford, front row of the circle is ideal so you don't get a tall person in front of you. It does matter particularly with a ballet.
Take a cardi as the theatre will be cooler than usual.
Most importantly be prepared to fall in love with all things ballet and love every minute of it.

[maras2]

DD was 8 when I took her to see Swan Lake.She was fine < OMG ! Just realised that it was 32 years ago >

[Slightlypanicked]

I will look into the nutcracker too as many if you have suggested. I do think she will sit through it fine. How lovely pud1 hopefully it will be a lovely memory for dd.

[Slightlypanicked]

Ahh thank you everyone you're all making me super excited! Can't wait to see the look on dd's face when I give her the tickets

[Momamum]

And after she's absolutely hooked on it, you should buy her the book by, I think, sorry possibly spelling mistake in the name, Ballet Shoes by Noel streatfield. Think it's published in paperback by Puffin.

I'm sure you'll really enjoy the ballet and enjoy sharing the experience with your daughter.

[kitchenunit]

If you're going to Swan Lake there's a cartoon film on Netflix called The Swan Princess. It will make the story much more accessible.

[Slightlypanicked]

Thank you will look into the book. The car too sounds like a good idea too!

[Slightlypanicked]

Cartoon sorry.

[Grumpysfirstwife]

I took my DD at a similar age. Its lovely but be warned some performances go on for hours. Ours started at 6.45pm and we left at 10.30 and it still hadn't finished. Its a very long performance even with a 20 minute break.

[HerBigChance]

Yes the matinee will be a better bet, but a number of ballets I've been to have two intervals.

Agree with PP above: ballet can be very addictive.

[ChickyDuck]

I was taken to see swan lake (my first ballet) at that age and was absolutely entranced!

[BYOSnowman]

Took 5yo dd to my first ballet (third time we have been). It's very good but there are too many younger kids and the noise was very distracting. We will take her to a proper ballet next time. Probably the nutcracker at Xmas

[BYOSnowman]

Sorry I didn't capitalise that so it clashes with post above. My First Ballet is by the English national ballet

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

DD and I have seen The Nutcracker (twice) , The Little Matchgirl as a ballet and Swan Lake.
My favourite bit (the four little swans) is on quite early. Read up on the story, the "Good" characters were in white, the "Bad" characters in black so fairly easy to tell who's who.

And look on YouTube for The Four Little Swans by the Trocadero (4 male dancers, very funny )

[mrsclooneytoyou]

Me and dd2 went to the ballet regular from when she was 6.
She absolutely loved it.
Enjoy op

[Gizlotsmum]

Love the my first ballet shows from the English national ballet ( shorter child friendly versions)