OK, I know this is early but what should I choose? (Christmas Related) ;)

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DD is 11yo and were thinking about going to the ballet at Christmas.
She's seen Swan Lake and The Nutcracker in a small local theatre a couple of years ago (different years)

So: Local theatre has The Nutcracker Ballet (Price will be £25 + £16) in Novemeber .(on a schoolnight) but easier travel.

Or Matthew Bourne Ballet is putting on Swan Lake (more ££ - depending on where we sit but £50+ for me £30 for DD) but in December (right up till Christmas Eve)
Have to add on travel, but we can go on a weekend.

Last year DS,DD and I went to the cinema on Christmas Eve (DH was working)
DS can go to London with DH if we go to The Swan Lake.

So what should I do?

Local/Nov/ £41
or
London/Dec/£80

i think you should go to london because even if it is more money your dd will fell more special about it and get more excited and make a bigger deal of it and she will feel like she's loved a lot more

and it will be a christmas treat for her if it was very far in advance and you didn't get her much more for christmas and got the other children more she would feel upset

Definitely the London one.

Closer to Christmas for a start and lovely to combine with a trip to see the Christmas lights on Oxford Street although I think they go up at the end of August

OP, thank you for this thread!

Every year I get to October and try to get tickets to take DD to "The Nutcracker" in London, and fail. All sold out.

Not this year. Just bought some, thanks to seeing this thread!

Thank you!!

I saw the Bourne nutcracker last year, and thought it was rather misogynistic.

Also the swan costumes have a tendency to move in the style of shaggy bathmats, rather than the feathery trousers the designers were going for.

Just one opinion

That should be Bourne Swan Lake, obviously. [idiot]

@ shaggy bathmats (I don't think we'll be near enough to see the bathmat costumes).

Many years ago (DS is 13 now) when DS was 5yo I took him to see The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre. It was lovely, he still remembers it.
DD is too old for The Snowman

I said to DH "should I go to London or local" - he said "London" right answer.

DD and I looked online to see the story behind the ballets (I find it is hard to follow from the ballet especially if the same dancers play lots of different roles)

Just have to look at the seating plan and make sure we're not sitting behind a pillar

Definitely Bourne's swan lake. I saw it for the first time around your DD's age and adored it. It's still my favourite ever ballet.

I've booked The Nutcracker (though I might splurge and book The Swan Lake too) but we can drive to & from the Nutcracker and it's a small enough theatre that we can see what's going on.

DD loves to watch The Swan Lake Parody (Troccadero) on YouTube.
Very funny.

PoppyWearer - can I ask whether it is the Royal Opera House Nutcracker production you have bought tickets for and if so, where you bought them? I usually take DD to see the Snowman but think we might try the Nutcracker this year, according to their website though the tickets don't go on sale until beginning of July?

A woman after my own heart!
Thank you OP for the reminder.
I would say London if you can spare the cash. Then every month put aside a 5er to either cover the hole in the budget or for a meal out in London, transport etc. i am not assuming anything, but it is a lot of money and everytime the cost comes from either savings or the coin tin makes me feel less robbed.

Bourne is like marmite! I hated it, I like things way more traditional especially for children. London at Xmas is great though.

I saw the Bourne swan lake it's first ever season and was blown away. Didn't like his nutcracker though. They always have lovely lights outside Sadler's Wells if it's there.

Have just booked our Nutcracker tickets for Christmas !

We usually do the Snowman but DD is nearly 7 so thought she's probably old enough for the 'proper' ballet and then will also take DD and DS who's younger to see Boing!

I couldn't believe it though how few tickets are left for the Nutcracker and they only go on general sale today. Feels a bit weird booking Christmas stuff in this heat but oh well...