to want to take my sons to the ballet?

[helyg]

Last Christmas I took DD to see Sleeping Beauty. She loved it, and I have to say that I enjoyed it too! DH said that "ballet was for girls" and took both boys to the panto instead.

This year it is Swan Lake. I think that the boys will actually enjoy it, and would like us all to go as a family. However DH still says that it is "for girls".

The boys will be 6 and 8, and they enjoy going to the theatre. DD is 4.

AIBU to think that we could go to the ballet as a family?

helyg, good approach

As a child I regularly went to see ballets - Swanlake, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty. I went with my older (and later on older and younger sister). So no issue with boys going to watch Ballet back in the early 80's. To be honest I was probably more interested in the stage lighting and sound, scenery, than the actual ballet steps. It was a family outing though, so I didn't get the choice to stay home... and now as an adult I do occasionally watch a ballet when it comes on TV often at Christmas time.

More recently I've taken boys to ballet lessons... they now don't tend to do much ballet - far too busy with their acting.

No YANBU - I've taken DS1 (aged 4) to a couple of dance things.

YANBU

We took ds 8 and dd 10 to see Cinderella at the Royal Ballet last month - ds particularly enjoyed it. There were lots of boys there.

YANBU. Take your sons to see it and they can tell you themselves whether they think it was for them. You could also watch the DVD of "Billy Elliot" as a family.

YANBU but The Nutcracker may be more fun as there is a lot more action(including a battle
with swords and rats/mice) and lots of scene changes
I also found the story easier to explain

(actually I found the story easier to understand )

I can't wait to take DS to see 'The Nutcracker', DD too, but I think both children will get something out of it.

The Nutcracker is on before Christmas, and Swan Lake is on between Christmas and New Year. It would be difficult to get there (theatre is 2.5hrs away) before Christmas. Otherwise we would probably do that instead.

I am surprised you even have to ask

You know you're not BU surely?

is watching ballet a pastime just for women - or for men too? Last time I went, I saw a lot of men in the audience.

If men go, why not boys?

Personally I would choose something other than Swan Lake for their first experience of ballet - it is not very strong on plot tho' beautiful visually of course
Romeo and Juliet would be good - exciting fight scenes and romance - something for everyone.

Depends what's on in your area of course

Your DP is being a pillock btw

I'd still go for The Nutcracker as a pre Christmas treat as it just so more accessible than Swan Lake

But as I said we can't physically get there before Christmas to see the Nutcracker. The theatre is a 2.5 hour drive away and we will be too busy before Christmas to make the trip. So the Nutcracker isn't an option.

So do you think I shouldn't bother with Swan Lake in that case?

I took DD, who was 3 at the time, to see Sleeping Beauty last year and she enjoyed it very much. The boys are older than her (they will be 8 and 6).

IMo Sleeping Beauty or Nutcracker far better for a first ballet than Swan Lake: it has lots of changes of costume, more understandable plot; even I find Swan Lake a bit sopophoric tbh.

point out to DH that if hes of fit and athletic men then stay at home but you think the boys need good role models for whta exercise and dedication can do!!

Maybe I won't bother then. I have never seen Swan Lake so don't really know. We saw a local production of the Nutcracker and it was dire, but I imagine the Russian State Ballet's version would be better! Just a shame that we can't get there to watch it.

Swan Lake is a wonderful ballet with the most beautiful music. It also has a baddie whom your DS would probably enjoy. It also has several divertissements with dancers in different cultural costumes which children would enjoy.

If you are going at Xmas it might be worth waiting to see if Matthew Bournes Swan Lake is on (all male swans) as it is breathtaking but also has lots of action and comedy which children would enjoy. Your DS would probably relate to this more as all the leads are danced by men.

Youtube it if you want to show your DS a preview.

Shame you can't persuade your dh that ballet is just another 'sport' - male dancers in peak condition would kick a professional footballer into a cocked hat!

Just tell him he's being an idiot and take them anyway.

I remember a 3 year old boy crying in the queue behind us at the fairy fair because he wanted to make a crown like his sister and his dad told him not to be a poof.