Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to take 3 year old to swan lake.

261 replies

Lonelymummyof1 · 07/05/2017 23:42

Swan lake it showing in july and daughter is obsessed with it !
It does not have a age requirement listed but is 3 too young ?

OP posts:
Storminateapot · 08/05/2017 22:32

I paid a fortune to see Wicked last year and was seated next to a child of that age who was with her Dad. She couldn't keep quiet or sit still, therefore neither did he, and it really spoiled it for me.

innagazing · 08/05/2017 22:39

Storm- please rtft and you'll understand better why everyone is trying to find a good solution, without it affecting anyone else.

SpiritedLondon · 08/05/2017 22:43

Don't be disheartened OP. By pass the ROH management and write directly to the Principal Ballerina (for Swan lake) and tell her about your DD. Perhaps you could watch a rehearsal?

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 08/05/2017 22:45

I really hope OP has managed to get a dispensation on the age limit. The reply to the other poster was quite clear on the age limit.

pringlecat · 09/05/2017 01:27

OP, did you try my suggestion of contacting the ballet company's own press officer? The venue have made their position clear, but the company may be able to do something.

Blowingthroughthejasmineinmymi · 09/05/2017 04:29

Innagazing thats a bit of of rubbish cop out isn't I from roh. Leaves nasty taste in mouth. I agree right to the ballet company no matter who they are. Although my first ballet may be good back up

tipup · 09/05/2017 04:40

I don't think they will let her in, their under-5 policy is very clear. But, a 3-yr-old won't have any concept of the quality (or otherwise) of the ballet, she really doesn't need ROH standard. Surely she would be just as happy watching a rehearsal, a performance aimed at children, or at a regional theatre where the atmosphere will be much more relaxed and there's less risk of you either not being allowed in, or kicked out if she can't sit still for that amount of time?

FrancisCrawford · 09/05/2017 06:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Elphaba99 · 09/05/2017 08:14

The company in question is the Mariinsky from St Petersburg in Russia, so it could be rather tricky to contact them. In any case, the people to speak to are the Promoter and the ROH themselves as they enforce the age limit, not the Mariinsky who are a visiting company.

Elphaba99 · 09/05/2017 08:17

Chavelita great idea but sadly the ROH Swan Lake schools' performance is in June 2018 🙁

Chavelita · 09/05/2017 08:55

Elphaba, that'll teach me to read the website carefully! Grin

OP, get a refund on the ROH tickets and find a lower-key child-friendly production which will be just as enjoyable for your DD.

Elphaba99 · 09/05/2017 08:57

👍☺️ To be fair Chavelita it wasn't all that clear.

pringlecat · 09/05/2017 09:13

Elphaba99 I've already provided the PR's email address. If the company were so inclined, they could organise a meet and greet - I don't think they need to get the little girl into a full length performance to make a special experience for her.

FagAshMIL · 09/05/2017 09:20

I second the My First Ballet, really lovely and a nice length for small children. Don't take her to a full production yet.

Ella Bella Ballerina books are fab as is Dogs Don't Do Ballet

Elphaba99 · 09/05/2017 09:28

Apologies pringlecat, I missed that.

LesLiaisonsDangereuses · 09/05/2017 09:40

I appreciate that people are trying to be helpful but at this stage, the OP neeeds to recognize that she needs the help and support of an organization such as Make A Wish. Despite having the financial means to buy tickets, trying to do this alone in the context of a child with a life limiting disease is just not appropriate as she will put people's backs up if they have paid £££ for tickets and / or be refused entry.

Majorgoodwinschickenbeatstrump · 09/05/2017 09:43

I really hope something can be worked out with this. Does the ballet have twitter etc?

Majorgoodwinschickenbeatstrump · 09/05/2017 09:46

Oooops sorry just read the previous page. Thinking of you OP, she sounds absolutely lovely.

Elphaba99 · 09/05/2017 09:47

Majorgoodwin it is the venue - the Royal Opera House - who set the minimum age limit, so even if you tweet at the Mariinsky the ROH still has to be involved.

It would really help if the OP came back and clarified whether she has permission from the ROH to take her 3 yr old, otherwise we're talking to ourselves. 😐

redshoeblueshoe · 09/05/2017 10:06

LesLiasons I have been trying to make that point from the very beginning. Money is not the issue here. Make a Wish have all the right contacts and experience. Its not taking a wish from another child, and the OP can donate to them afterwards.
They will make the whole day wonderful.

innagazing · 09/05/2017 10:13

blowingthrough
I didn't think it was a crap response at ll from the ROH. They gave several valid reasons why they were unable to help, were sympathetic, and made an alternative suggestion albeit not actually Swan Lake.

silkpyjamasallday · 09/05/2017 10:18

My mum used to take me to the theatre/ballet as a small child, her tactic was to have a pack of chocolate buttons and just give me one every time I seemed to be getting restless or about to talk. However I was generally well behaved, and I have had the displeasure of sitting in front of two little children at the theatre who kicked my seat and chatted the whole way through the show, I gave their parents a few looks as were others but it was totally ignored. Only go if you're willing to take the child out of they start playing up and miss the show.

Blowingthroughthejasmineinmymi · 09/05/2017 10:18

. They gave several valid reasons why they were unable to help, were sympathetic, and made an alternative suggestion albeit not actually Swan Lake

I disagree.

I feel there are a few things they could offer ops DD not least of all rehearsals meaning there is no fear of her disrupting anyone. I cant see how such an offer would impact, damage, cost - cause any disruption at all to anyone at the ROH.

innagazing · 09/05/2017 10:42

Blowing
I very much doubt that the ballet company will actually have full on dress rehearsals in the theatre at all. The most they will probably do is a quick walk through to familiarise themselves with the size of the stage. I expect they learnt the whole ballet in Russia, and will just do routine practise and barre work in a studio somewhere in London in old and sweaty leotards and joggers, which will not provide this little girl with anything remotely resembling the actual production.

Blowingthroughthejasmineinmymi · 09/05/2017 10:51

from ROH website

"What are Friends Rehearsals? #
For almost all main-stage productions, Friends are invited to buy tickets for the final rehearsal – the last rehearsal before opening night. Some aspects of the production may not be finished, and some artists may choose to mark their roles. The rehearsals should not be treated as finished performances

www.roh.org.uk/rehearsals/friends-rehearsals