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

[k2p2k2tog]

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?

I think some ballet/ opera companies are really trying to bring new audiences by making themselves more accessible. I live in Yorkshire. Northern Ballet Theatre puts on children’s ballets (eg The Ugly Duckling) which are short and very easy to follow. The performances are very informal. They have appeared on CBeebies - with spoken bits added from some of the CBeebies presenters. Opera North puts on children’s singing classes aimed at preschoolers which where I live (Doncaster) are only £3.50 a session. They also put on sessions to introduce children to instruments and listen to some short classical pieces. They also do a lot of work with local schools.

Its more expensive to go wAtch a football match than go to the ballet.

I like them all, ballet, opera, musicals, football, hockey & I have kids who participate.

It may well be more expensive to go and watch football, but it costs very little, if anything, to participate in it.

People are often interested in things they’ve participated in at some point.

How much are ballet lessons these days?

Whether ballet and opera are elitist is open to debate, but it's certainly less accessible than, say, the cinema for most people. I'd guess the vast majority of the population could go to watch a film on a day and time that suits them than see a ballet or opera performance.

My DD’s ballet lessons are £4 a week. The football classes they go to on a Sunday are £3.50. When you take into account ballet shoes/football boots etc I’d say ballet is marginally more expensive.

Top level football is also incredibly accessible to watch on TV, which ballet, opera etc certainly aren't!

Of course you don’t need to join a club to play football though.

As a dancer myself, I have huge respect for ballet and opera because they require so much natural talent and constant training. Yes, they're harder to follow, but even if you can't access the story, surely you can see and hear the beauty of the performance? That said, I place high value on any kind of live theatre, so my interests may be more broad.

Ballet lesson costs vary hugely. I pay around £4 per hour for DD but as I said this is in a low-key local dance school which is in no way preparing her for a career as a dancer. Her school is about having fun, keeping fit, learning the basics and putting on an end of year show.

Looking at the Scottish Ballet, who offer classes specifically aimed at those who DO want to pursue a career in dance, they charge £52.50 per 6 week term for a 90 minute class once a week for 12-16 year olds. In addition I'm assuming you'd have to pay for the shoes and dance clothes.

That's no more expensive than a football training club, and kids playing football also need expensive shirts, socks, shorts, boots etc. Plus travelling costs if they're in a team and playing all over the place.

How much are ballet lessons these days?

I think that varies wildly, particularly at a beginner level. For example, I grew up in a poor part of the country, but combined ballet/tap/modern classes are common and not at all bank breaking.

Obviously as you progress and need more specialist tuition that gets more expensive, but at a basic level, ballet lessons are perfectly doable for lower middle class earners - and that's true of most areas in the country I've lived in.

£52.50 per 6 week term for a 90 minute class once a week for 12-16 year olds. In addition I'm assuming you'd have to pay for the shoes and dance clothes.That's no more expensive than a football training club, and kids playing football also need expensive shirts, socks, shorts, boots etc

Academy football for example is free. Free training, free kit. Travel costs are paid for those that struggle.

Just have to buy boots

I think costs are comparable.

I pay a lot more for dd's pointe shoes etc than I ever did when Ds played football & when lesson frequency increased, masterclasses etc but my brother pays hundreds for my nephews specialist football boots, kit, academy training etc

Hmm. Must depend what you mean by Football academy

I’m talking about major clubs where the best are scouted etc

Not private ones which anyone that can pay can go to

Nephew has done both but he's currently in a private one but that is highly selective (not open to all) he chose to leave 2 premiership ones due to politics, poor pastoral care etc.

Yes but the premiership one free?

But in ballet there are a lot of means tested training schemes available to those who are deemed to have potential for a career including possible free full time schooling/training from the age of 11.

Premiership academy was not free. There were subs & match fees.

The point I’m making is that you can play football in the park for free, you can play it at the very highest level free (apart from boots!)

Can’t do that with many other sports or other activities, like ballet

I live in Denmark, home to one of the worlds best ballet companies and I am stunned by the lack of awareness by a generally very patriotic people. Theyre v proud of Mærsk, and Møller and Danfoss and Lego, but mention the ballet and its like youve sprouted an extra head. Even when they tour the country in the summer doing FREE performances in beautiful outdoor locations people still dont want to try. I can understand if youve tried it and dont like it as a pp mentioned, but many wont even try.

When you think about the thousands of kids who are playing football up and down the country, only a tiny percentage will be in an "Academy" system run by a professional club. Most kids who I know who play football are not at that sort of level and are going to small local clubs or holiday training schemes organised by the FA or SFA.

I’m surprised there were fees for a premiership academy.

DS never paid anything - for training or matches or kit.

I paid more for my cinema ticket to see Star Wars than a really eminent play (in London) !

People go on about theatre being elitist, it's really not. I've seen dozens of things for £10 or £15. I go a lot.

Actually if you attend a primary school who runs the Chance to Dance scheme you can access high level ballet training completely free (if on a low income up to & including residential ballet school if you are "scouted" for want of a better word.

My daughter is 10 and dances tap, modern and ballet. Last year I thought it would be nice for us to go to see Sleeping Beauty at the local theatre. The tickets were £30 each so not cheap but it was part of Christmas present. All the people around us were normal families, older couples, but mainly families with children. I would say the prices are a bit high but the ballet itself was very easy to watch and understand. As a family we also love watching football games, now they are elitist...more than £80 a ticket!!

So why does ballet have this "posh" image when people are quite happy to pay £14 for a cinema ticket and popcorn

“People” arent one homogenous mass. I wouldn’t pay £14 for cinema and popcorn. £4 tuesdays and we don’t buy sweets. Or £2.50 kids club becomes £5 if you get the snack combo. That’s £14 for myself and two DCs with snacks.