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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think that ballet doesn't deserve its elitist image?

130 replies

k2p2k2tog · 05/01/2018 08:12

For the first time in my life last night I went to the ballet. My DD dances and she came with me, we saw Scottish Ballet do the Nutcracker. And it was amazing. Loved it. Live orchestra, stunning sets, sparkly costumes, great soloists and overall a good experience. DD was worried it would be hard to follow what was going on - she found it very easy to understand the story and was inspired by the fabulous dancers.

Our tickets were £14 each. This is not much more than going to the cinema, and half the price of panto tickets in Glasgow this year. Yes we could have paid more to sit in the grand circle but we had a very good, unrestricted view of what was happening on stage.

So why does ballet have this "posh" image when people are quite happy to pay £14 for a cinema ticket and popcorn, or £50 or more to see whoever's the latest pop star on tour?

OP posts:
paperandpaint · 05/01/2018 09:15

NO!!! The ballet is wonderful and I say that as a girl brought up in Fife - the absolute furthest place removed from ballet as you can imagine!!

About 5 years ago ex SIL bought me and DD reduced view tickets for the Matthew Bourne ballet at Saddlers Wells (she was a student and they were very cheap) and it moved me to tears. I honestly don't get emotional at films or tv but this was wonderful. She gave us a similar gift for the next few years and now DP gets us tickets and it's the highlight of my year.

Rebeccaslicker · 05/01/2018 09:15

Laurie - I find that really interesting. More kids sing at school than do ballet, after all. May I ask why you feel opera is more elitist?

I'm no opera buff, but I've been a few times and enjoyed it. Bloody uncomfortable seats if you're over 5'6" though!

paperandpaint · 05/01/2018 09:16

If you think ballet is an expensive hobby then try having a child who plays tennis!! It is eye wateringly expensive - it's the real reason why we have so few decent players in this country.

SleepingStandingUp · 05/01/2018 09:19

I adore the Ballet, have taken my niece several years in a row to see contemporary ballet shows as well as seeing more traditional ones alone. I cried my eyes out at Boy In The Striped Pyjamas. I'm certainly not posh hahah.

Yoi can now also see many ballets, operas and theatre shows via video link at your local cinema. I recently saw Benedict Cumberbatch's Macbeth which was a treat and its only a few pounds more than the cinema

LaurieMarlow · 05/01/2018 09:20

Most kids sing, yes, but school choirs are a million miles away from opera. It's not like for like at all. The style of music, the mechanics of singing, the language of opera are all very alienating to those who haven't got in depth knowledge.

Whereas the many kids who attend ballet lessons will have a grasp of ballet basics.

SleepingStandingUp · 05/01/2018 09:20

paperandpaint are you seeing Cinderella when it tours this year?

paperandpaint · 05/01/2018 09:23

SleepingStandingUp - yes we are going this weekend! We normally go before Christmas but we have a baby now so had to pick a weekend where MIL could come and babysit. I'm very excited! Have you seen it?

Swan Lake (the all male Matthew Bourne version) was honestly one of the most wonderful things I had ever seen.

SleepingStandingUp · 05/01/2018 09:25

Its not here t February. Saw Sleeping Beauty and The Red Shoes Live and watched Swan Lake on DVD over Xmas. It was great, but then ask of his are!! Have Car Man in DVD too.

bumblingbovine49 · 05/01/2018 09:27

I agree that people think it is elitist. I personally don't much like ballet (I have been a couple of times) but I went to several operas in my late 20s and early 30s. Mostly because I was introduced to them by the parents of my then boyfriend. I remember enjoying most of them and really loving some. In particular I loved the ones where they had subtitles for the words. I actually speak Italian but I found it difficult to understand all the sung words (even those at the English National Opera in English). I did find however that once I understood the story, it was the music that moved me and the words were less relevant. I think that anything like this that seems difficult at first (Shakespeare, Ballet, ,Opera) , if you know a tiny bit first (maybe just the plot outline)that is enough to get something out of it and the more you go, the more you get out of it.

paperandpaint · 05/01/2018 09:30

They are very all great aren't they?! We saw a National Ballet production of something last year at Christmas (Nutcracker?) and they made so many mistakes and it seemed very lacklustre compared to Matthew Bourne. I know nothing about ballet but both DP and I could see a real difference. Arm chair critic here!

Original poster
k2p2k2tog · 05/01/2018 09:30

Agree Laurie - my DD has been dancing for years and does a combination of jazz/ballet/tap/modern. It's all very low-key and the music they dance to is more likely to be One Direction than Tchaikovsky. But having that basic background allows her to see just how talented the dancers on stage are, she knows how tough it is to be en pointe, how strong the male dancers must be and how supple the women are. For her it's not an expensive hobby but I can easily appreciate how it could be - not just the fees for classes, but shoes. If you're good enough for the Royal Ballet School then that's a whole other ball game in terms of fees and costs. Also agree though that having a child who competes at a high level in sport can also be very costly.

Opera's different - most children who sing in choirs or for fun are belting out pop songs in the car or singing in the school choir. In English, mostly. Opera's so different from the singing most kids do.

OP posts:
DerelictWreck · 05/01/2018 09:32

Nutcracker in London was £80 this year :( Made more sense to go to the cinema a few times!

Headofthehive55 · 05/01/2018 09:33

There such a lot of different experiences to do and ballet and opera are competing in a crowded field of entertainment. Think laser quest, ice skating, ice hockey, watch sport, theatre etc. I think it gets crowded out and tears gone by there wasn't such a vast array of choice.

I've taken mine to the ballet but we prefer other entertainment. And yes my DD does ballet but would still prefer something else to go and do.

WeAreGerbil · 05/01/2018 09:34

I wouldn't call Matthew Bourne ballet though, it's more contemporary or dance theatre. I think that is a bit less elitist than ballet, though it is expensive outside London - we have had cheap tickets at the top in Sadlers Wells but it's £30 for tickets in our local theatre with no reductions for children.

SnugglySnerd · 05/01/2018 09:35

The thing is that while a lot of people might be able to afford to go to the ballet/opera/sports events etc occasionally far fewer people can afford for their children to train at the level required to become professional ballerinas, musicians etc so it remains elitist for that reason not just the audiences.

clippedcasuals · 05/01/2018 09:35

Anyone know what the Nutcracker documentary was called and on which channel?

NotdeadyetBOING · 05/01/2018 09:35

I love going to see the live screenings of Royal Ballet performances at the cinema. Cheap and in some ways better than actually being there as you get close ups and also interviews with the dancers etc in the intervals. Magical stuff and astonishing how fit these athletes are. Don't be fooled by the sparkles and smiles - they are tougher and fitter than most professional athletes.....

Rebeccaslicker · 05/01/2018 09:35

See, I don't agree with that explanation, but it's just my opinion Smile

I think opera is no less accessible than ballet or Shakespeare. However there is a perception that they are all "difficult" and that's what puts people off, I think. My DF is very intelligent but he won't touch Shakespeare with a bargepole; he genuinely believes it's "the emperor's new clothes" Angry

Chienrouge · 05/01/2018 09:37

But that’s your child Headofthehive55, and your family. Just because you and your family would rather do something else, doesn’t mean it ‘belongs in the past’.
I dislike bowling. There are many things I’d rather do than bowling. So does that mean other people can’t and don’t choose to go bowling?
Ridiculous assertion.

A1Sharon · 05/01/2018 09:38

Just to reiterate what was said above, you can now see live performances from the Royal Ballet and opera from the Met at the cinema. More expensive than usual ticket but the only way I'll get to see them as don't live in England.
Will try to link.

AmIAWeed · 05/01/2018 09:39

We went to see the Nutcracker for the first time this Christmas and I loved it, as did my daughter. We did pay extra to sit in the grand circle, but honestly I wish I was further back.
I could see the tops of the orchestra but not the dancers feet...lesson learnt for next time!

JemimaMuddledUp · 05/01/2018 09:39

I agree.

The Bolshoi do live broadcasts to cinema which are really accessible. I prefer theatre or opera to ballet TBH (I tend to go to the NT, RSC and Met Opera live broadcasts) but do go to some of the ballets. Tickets cost slightly more than normal cinema but not that much.

A1Sharon · 05/01/2018 09:40

Here.

Igneococcus · 05/01/2018 09:41

Id rather watch ice hockey or go to a musical.

It's not impossible to enjoy both surely?

Taffeta · 05/01/2018 09:42

What Pananny said

Elitist, white middle class activity

As are many - see tennis, music, winter sports, lacrosse , rowing etc etc

Football considered chavvy - but is one of the very few sports open to all, so not stuffed full of privileged white middle class Jontys. Because they’re,er , not that good. I’d love to see people from all walks given the opportunity to ski, row etc. Don’t see any non middle classes on the Olympic podium for those sports

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