If you’re looking a new and fun outing to do with the kids age 3 + you may want to take them to the ballet*.  I asked Max (10) and Rose (6) what tips they may have for other kids going to the theatre for the first time.

Transportation 
Max: We went by train. I’m recommending trains, buses are slow. You’ve gotta be there on time or else the doors will close and you’ll not be able to watch.
Rose: You’ve got to get there at the right time.

Seating
Max: Try to get seats in the middle so you can have a perfect view, not too close, not too far.
Rose: Did we sit in the front?
Max: In the middle!

When the curtain rises
Max: Be quiet and watch the magic happen. The magic is the dancing, the choreography, the sets. There were light projections in the one we sent to see.
Rose: There was a baby that turned into a pig in the ballet we went to! And flowers.

How do you know what’s happening on stage?
Rose: The dance is all about the magic. You have to look at the dancers. There was this program thingamajiggy that was cool and it has all the information about what is happening. I thought my mum knew what was happening because of the dancing but she was reading me the program. The program is really helpful. My mum whispered it to me, you’re not allowed to talk.
Max: I told you not to tell me (what was happening).

The length
Max: Hours.
Rose: Hours and hours.*

Talking
Max: If you feel like talking just whisper if you really, really need to but otherwise you should not talk at all.
Rose: My mum got nervous because I was talking loud.

Snacks
Max: Some theatres have a candy bar with lots of candy like chocolates and sweets and cookies and soft drinks. You can get snacks at the start, middle –
Rose: The forbission.
Me: The intermission.
Max: And some don’t have candy bars.
Rose: Which sucks. There should be gluten-free snacks.

Company
Rose: You should go with your mum and your brother that likes to dance, or sister if you have one. And also your dad and your grandma and grandpa if you have one. Everyone in the world. Also your cat, or dog or bunny or guniea pig. Don’t write that, you’re not allowed to bring pets!
Max: It’s fun for the whole family.

Clothes
Max: What you should wear depends on what type of person you are. Whatever suits you best. A jacket and bowtie. A fancy hat. Jeans. Decent shoes.
Rose: You can wear your fancy clothes. A nice long sleeved dress right down to the floor because it might be cold in there. And sparkly shoes.

Would you recommend going to the ballet for other kids?
Max: Yes.It’s really, really fun to watch. It’s just an amazing experience.
Rose: Yes, I think they’ll like it.

Rose and Max watched Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by The Australian Ballet which was Rose’s first time to watch a full-length ballet. *The Australian Ballet also puts on Storytime Ballets in Dec-Jan especially for kids which are shorter, interactive experiences.

Bron x

CREDITS

Rose: Other Wild t-shirt, Tiny Cottons pinafore, socks from Little Scout Co, Country Road gumboots

Max: The Bee and The Fox t-shirt, pants  from Cotton On Kids, sneakers from Free By Cotton On

Photo: Bron Bates