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I've never watched ballet before, I always assumed I wouldn't understand it

58 replies

Hisnutsroastingonanopenfire · 25/12/2024 13:06

But Swan Lake on BBC2 right now is really enjoyable. I'm pleasantly surprised! Even my young sons have put the consoles down and are watching with me. Can I call us middle class now? 😆

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 25/12/2024 13:10

Try the Nutcracker next!

SabrinaThwaite · 25/12/2024 13:14

Ballet Rambert is always good for those not into classical ballet.

Years ago they did a wonderful performance based on the Rolling Stones best known songs.

user23124 · 25/12/2024 13:31

Go to the Royal Opera house and watch one! We did - very very working class - bets day out ever! We did an OPERA this year :)

YouMeandBrie · 25/12/2024 13:32

It’s beautiful isn’t it!

ByHeartyCyanMentor · 25/12/2024 13:32

I go regularly and still don’t have a clue - DD loves it though and is often moved by the story that I can’t even decipher.

ByHeartyCyanMentor · 25/12/2024 13:33

user23124 · 25/12/2024 13:31

Go to the Royal Opera house and watch one! We did - very very working class - bets day out ever! We did an OPERA this year :)

Now opera I love absolutely love. I can speak Italian though which really helps in most of them.

persisted · 25/12/2024 13:37

There are often cinema showings of live performances, it's a really good way to be able to see it. Not as good as live, but much more affordable.

Comedycook · 25/12/2024 13:38

Never occurred to me that you're meant to understand ballet or the opera.

ThePoshUns · 25/12/2024 13:38

I love watching the ballet.
The Nutcracker is a real Xmas treat

Indianajet · 25/12/2024 13:38

Watching the Nutcracker now - love it.

Clocksprings · 25/12/2024 13:39

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YogaLite · 25/12/2024 13:40

Just tuned into Nutcracker, lovely to see the children dancing. Recording Swan Lake.

Username12284949 · 25/12/2024 13:40

My daughter is a ballet dancer (not professional standards!) and we went to see The Nutcracker a couple of weeks ago. It was beautiful and the dancers are out of this world but I didn’t enjoy watching it and I didn’t get the story I could only follow as I knew what the story was beforehand.

CurlewKate · 25/12/2024 13:43

What do you mean by understand?

TurningPointe · 25/12/2024 13:43

persisted · 25/12/2024 13:37

There are often cinema showings of live performances, it's a really good way to be able to see it. Not as good as live, but much more affordable.

We pay more for the cinema tickets for total ballet and opera and the ROH than we do for actual tickets there!

TurningPointe · 25/12/2024 13:46

DD (aged 16) is training full time in classical ballet in London.

Don't be nervous of watching ballet and opera. But it's addictive 😆 DD has watched Cinderella at the royal opera house three times so far.

persisted · 25/12/2024 13:50

TurningPointe · 25/12/2024 13:43

We pay more for the cinema tickets for total ballet and opera and the ROH than we do for actual tickets there!

That might be the case if you live nearby. But add a train ticket and a hotel room and it doesn't work out that way.

MinnieMountain · 25/12/2024 13:51

Birmingham Royal Ballet is more affordable to watch live. Carlos Acosta has also started a junior ballet company which tours.

Elleherd · 25/12/2024 14:11

Carlos Acosta is my absolute hero. Genuine decent bloke as well as all the professional accolades.

doodleschnoodle · 25/12/2024 14:18

Love love love going to the ballet. I take DD1 every winter. It's Nutcracker this year next month. Can't wait!

AnnaMagnani · 25/12/2024 14:27

@Username12284949 I wouldn't worry as The Nutcracker famously has a bonkers story that can be interpreted very differently by different productions. I don't think the hot air balloon I saw at ENB was exactly crucial to the plot [grin}

What it should have is a lot of fun and be a good Christmas show.

SabbatWheel · 25/12/2024 14:28

Look up the synopsis (story) before you go to ballet, opera or musicals. You’ll get so much more out of it if you know the story they are portraying.

ByHeartyCyanMentor · 25/12/2024 14:37

MinnieMountain · 25/12/2024 13:51

Birmingham Royal Ballet is more affordable to watch live. Carlos Acosta has also started a junior ballet company which tours.

We see the Birmingham Royal Ballet - my DD is a big fan.

Feministwoman · 25/12/2024 15:54

https://thedancebuzz.com/2013/02/01/ballet-mime/
Explains some of the more common "language" of ballet gestures, plus links to other more detailed sites.

Really enjoying ballet afternoon on TV! Such a treat.
Saving The Nutcracker until tomorrow, as there's Dr Who, Wallace and Grommet and Call the Midwife to watch later.

Ballet Mime

Crossed arms mean love – but be careful – make those hands into fists and you may be saying something completely different! My students and I had a conversation about ballet miming this…

https://thedancebuzz.com/2013/02/01/ballet-mime

oakleaffy · 25/12/2024 15:57

My Aunt used to housekeep for Nureyev- I saw him as a child- what a LEAPER! phenomenal.
Ballet in person is wonderful.