Going to my first ever ballet…please help.

[FormerlySpeckledyHen]

I’m going to Sadlers Wells on my own on Saturday afternoon to see Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake.
I’m very excited but feeling a bit nervous-ageing rock chick festival goer.

Is there anything I need to know? When to clap 👏 for instance!?
Will I look silly on my own? (Too late anyway)
Will I be OK wearing good jeans and accessories?
Anything of note about the venue?

Anything really 💁🏻‍♀️

Thank you.

You'll love it - it's a fab production.

Dress how you like - jeans are fine.

You'll know when to clap - it will be obvious.

Of course you won't look silly on your own! Theatres always have loads of solo patrons and, frankly, nobody cares.

Can't comment on the venue, but just work out where it is and turn up on time - that's all you need to know.

Enjoy!

Thank you @Cynic17. It’s my year for doing different things, and going out of my comfort zone.
I don’t know anyone who has been, so feeling a bit eek!

I second everything above and can add that I went to Sadlers Wells a few months ago and it was straightforward to find, and I don't remember getting bamboozled by finding my seat or the toilets or anything. You're in for a treat!

You’ll love it and theatres have lots of single people. Jeans and a nice top are fine. Arrive fairly early, get yourself a drink and if you’d like one in the interval, order and pay for it at the same time. They’ll leave it on a table at the side and it saves queuing again.

Take your seat in the audience, read the story and background in the programme and soak up the atmosphere. It’s obvious when to applaud and you’ll love the applause for individual dancers at the end.

You’re in for a great time.

Echo what has been said above. I've been to dozens of ballets on my own( as well as opera, cinema, plays) and no one ever bats an eyelid and I've never felt uncomfortable. Re clapping, it will be very obvious, it happens after every act, but also after a solo or pas de deux, and be prepared for very long clapping at the end as they take their bows.

I went 2 days ago with DH. It was fantastic as is all MB.
I often go alone. No one cares.
You can wear jeans but you can also dress up a little if you want.
Look at the Wiki entry if you want to know the story.

You clap when others do at end of dance or act but nobody will care if you clap at the wrong time.
Do turn off your phone though.

You'll have a great time OP, just relax and enjoy yourself. There will be people I all kinds of clothes, it's not like it was years ago when everyone got dressed up to the nines to go to the theatre. And there is nothing remotely stuffy about a Matthew Bourne production. There will be all kinds of people there in all kinds of clothes and MB and his artists are very keen on their work being accessible to as many people as possible.
I would definitely advise you to read about the story before you go as the programme notes may not be very detailed. Things may have changed - it's quite a long time since I have been to any MB productions - but if I recall rightly he was always keen on not telling the audience how to interpret his work but for them to make their own minds up, so unlike some classical ballet programmes which will have quite a detailed explanation of the story and the various characters, you might find it a bit brief. So if you're not familiar with the story, and how this production differs from the classical version then I would read a bit in advance. I think it makes it a bit more enjoyable if you know the gist of the story beforehand.
Have a lovely time!

Have seen that production, it has so much more power. Adults dancing, not emaciated waifs.

The programme notes don't tell you the story. DH doesn't know much about ballet so he read the Wiki and found it very useful. Btw he wore jeans and a hoodie and I wore a knitted dress, but anything goes except perhaps shorts or a ballgown.
We are Asians from a completely different cultural background discovering ballet in our 50s. If we can love it, anyone can!
Matthew Bourne is truly accessible and easy to understand. You will see what I mean.
I am teaching myself ballet by watching the NYC City Ballet videos online.

Thank you all SO much for the information and supportive posts, I feel a lot better now!
I would never have found the wiki page, it’s invaluable. I wouldn’t have had a clue how different the MB production was from the little knowledge that I already had of the story. I’m really looking forward to it even more now.

Going by train for a change, definitely getting there early, have a light lunch somewhere nearby and treat myself to a glass of something lovely in the theatre. Ditching the jeans for something a bit smarter.

Thanks again. I’m so pleased I started the thread.

People will wear all sorts, and all sorts of people go to the Ballet. Go with what you want to wear

It will be clear when people clap, just go along with that

I can't clap due to a health issue and that's fine too!

Nothing silly about going on your own either ! When I see theatre goers on their own I just wish I had the sense to do that when there's something I want to see

When you get to the foyer and you say "I've come to see the ballet" just remember that 'ballet' does not rhyme with 'wallet' but with Calais (pronounced Ka - Lay).

Have you ever seen the film of Billy Elliot? That bit with adult Billy dancing at the end is from Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake.

Oh and wear whatever you would normally wear to any theatre. I've worn jeans to the Royal Opera House.

I always wear jeans, including to the Royal Opera House. I do have a lovely coat thing, which is snuggly and loose enough to slip off onto my lap. Always wear that to theatres/ballet/concerts etc.

Re clapping, it's not quite like a classical concert where you have to be careful where you clap, but if you're not sure, just wait for the majority and clap along. It will be pretty easy to work out.

What surprised me the most when I first went to see a ballet, was the thud of the dancers landing on the stage. I think I expected them to be like gossamer on the breeze! Have a great time!

I know that it's acceptable to wear jeans nearly everywhere nowadays but I would never wear jeans to the ballet. No need to really dress up but not jeans.

Same. I hope you enjoy it op. It's absolutely fantastic.

I went last week, wore a casual day dress and chunky boots. It was incredible, I loved all the other dance styles woven in, also found it very funny in parts. Have a fabulous time!

Adam Cooper the original Odette Odile in the Matthew Bourne production is GORGEOUS
just saying

I've had a wine and am actually laughing at myself for typing this but: I like a little scarf for the theatre. I do. I pretty much always seem to sit in a draft.

Apart from that, switch your phone off and pre-order your interval drink. Some places actually bring it to you in your seat.

Have lunch at Moro or Morito in Exmouth Market, which is just nearby, and lovely.

It's absolutely amazing- I've seen it 3 times because I liked it so much.
You get all different kinds of people watching ballet- singles, couples, small and large groups. I've seen jeans and I've seen evening dress. You definitely won't look out of place.
Once it starts, nobody will be looking anywhere but the stage because it's mesmerising. Have a great time.

Edited to add- Matthew Bourne productions are addictive!

Oh I went to see this recently and it was unbelievable. Spellbinding. I’m a bit so-so on traditional ballets but this was so energising and powerful.

Enjoy