My First Ballet: The Perfect Introduction to the Magic of Ballet for Your Child
By
7 years ago
The classic favourite Swan Lake has been beautifully adapted to be enjoyed by children as young as three
English National Ballet and English National Ballet School created the My First Ballet series in 2012. Designed to allow children as young as three to enjoy the magic of ballet, this ‘mesmerising introduction to ballet leaves youngsters spellbound’. Since its inception, the series’ productions have been enjoyed by over 250,000 people and received rave reviews. These specially adapted performances are cut to more manageable lengths and feature a narrator to help young audiences easily follow the story. The programme has so far included the hugely successful Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty and now presents a beautiful adaptation of Swank Lake. The national tour runs from 29th March to 20th May 2018.
Featuring choreography by Antonio Castilla, English National Ballet’s Ballet Master and Repetiteur, and Dramaturgy by Lou Cope, this new version follows the familiar story of Swan Lake, but told from a different point of view. It is performed by students of English National Ballet School, providing them with valuable rehearsal and performance experience within a professional touring company.
Antonio Castilla said: ‘I’m very excited to be working on this project and to be charged with telling our young audiences this wonderful story. In this new version of My First Ballet: Swan Lake, we have put the focus on Odile, rather than Odette, with the narrative following her journey and the difficult decision she must make, allowing us to explore important themes of friendship, forgiveness and honesty.’
The artistic director of English National Ballet, Tamara Rojo, hopes that children will leave the theatre feeling inspired and excited by what ballet has to offer. If the reviews are anything to go by, they certainly will – one person declares that ‘…young children will love it. I noticed several of them turning cartwheels and hopping and skipping around outside the theatre afterwards.’ Tamara says that ‘it allows us to present popular ballets in which the narrative, choreography and music are condensed, but the ballet itself is not compromised.’
My First Ballet: Swan Lake opens at The Peacock, London on 29 March 2018 before embarking on a national tour to Churchill Theatre, Bromley (14 & 15 April), New Theatre, Oxford (21 & 22 April), Manchester Opera House (28 & 29 April), The Grand Theatre, Blackpool (05 & 06 May), New Victoria Theatre, Woking (12 & 13 May) and Princess Theatre, Torquay (19 & 20 May).
Furthermore, to celebrate the production of My First Ballet: Swan Lake, English National Ballet will host on-stage creative dance workshops, aimed to provide a gateway into the world of ballet. This is a gorgeous treat for children and a perfect Easter holiday activity. Children and their parents/guardians will have the opportunity to learn extracts from the production with English National Ballet dance artists and get up close to costumes and scenery. For more information, visit www.ballet.org.uk/myfirstballet.
Listings Information
The Peacock, London
29 March – 07 April 2018
Box Office: 020 7863 8000
Tickets: £10 – £25 www.ballet.org.uk/myfirstballet
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
14 & 15 April 2018
Box Office: 020 3285 6000
Tickets: £13 – £23 www.ballet.org.uk/myfirstballet
New Theatre, Oxford
21 & 22 April 2018
Box Office: 0844 871 3020
Tickets: £13.40 – £29.40 www.ballet.org.uk/myfirstballet
Manchester Opera House
28 & 29 April 2018
Box Office: 0844 871 3018
Tickets: £13.40 – £29.40 www.ballet.org.uk/myfirstballet
The Grand Theatre, Blackpool
05 & 06 May 2018
Box Office: 01253 290190
Tickets: £13 – £23 www.ballet.org.uk/myfirstballet
New Victoria Theatre, Woking
12 & 13 May 2018
Box Office: 0844 871 7645
Tickets: £13.40 – £29.40 www.ballet.org.uk/myfirstballet
Princess Theatre, Torquay
19 & 20 May 2018
Box Office: 0844 871 3023
Tickets: £13.40 – £29.40 www.ballet.org.uk/myfirstballet
Booking fees may apply.
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