Me and Mrs. Duddersmonster are thinking about having a civilised night at the ballet, anyone suggest a good "starter ballet" or should I just dive in? I want to be able to follow it easily enough, I should imagine it will involve a little more concentration than good old fashioned musical theatre?

Thanks

The first Ballet I saw on stage live was a Matthew Bourne one - Edward Scissorhands. I had however watched ballet on TV before that. I seem to remember the first ballet I saw on TV was The Nutcracker when I was about 8 or 9 and I loved it.

I'd say just dive in. It may require a little more concentration but they're mostly easy to follow. If you're worried you could always find out a general story before you go.

Good luck finding one to go and see and I really hope you both enjoy it whatever it is.

I've seen quite a few ballets & managed to understand the story (bearing in mind, this is from the ages of 8-15, maybe I was just very clever kid, which I doubt! =P). The only one I had a problem with was Swan Lake, but if I had known the vague story beforehand I think I'd have been fine.
I agree with jimee1987; if you're worried, find out a general story before you go. (& Matthew Bourne's are fantastic=D)
I hope you find a good one & enjoy it =)

if you are anywere near Birmingham catch the Birmingham Royal Ballet.....the atmosphere there is always exciting and their programme ranges from a brilliant Romeo and Juliet ( now that's a good one to start with, clear, passionate, sexy, and a great story) to David bintley's own work. If you get to see Still Life at the Penguin Cafe you will be hooked for life.

Kenneth Macmillan's Romeo and Juliet at either the Royal Ballet or Birmingham Royal Ballet. Streets ahead of anything Matthew Bourne has done!

Sebastian

Thanks guys, I think I'll be booking us seats for Manon at the ROH. I've read Manon several times (and what a insipid fop Des Grieux is) so I think that'll be ideal. Thanks for the advice, friendly and helpful.

Enjoy Manon. I think its brilliant piece. Macmillan is an excellent choreographer so Romeo and Juliet also gets the thumbs up

Nutcracker (Birmingham’s is astounding. I also hear good things about Northern Ballet’s) Sleeping Beauty, Giselle or the Swan Lake are all good first calls.

Matthew Bourne is ok. His Swan Lake is astounding but most of the rest fails to have an impact on me.

I think Northern Ballet’s Madam Butterfly could be a good first one ... I'm much looking forward to a Tale of Two Cities

Or perhaps an evening of short works … David Bintley’s are really good, Still Life at the Penguin Café (breathtaking), Protecting Veil, Tombeaux Nutcracker Sweeties & Shakespeare Suit would make for an excellent evening … Asthon’s Le Patineur would also be great one actor

Enjoy

It seems up north is the place for good ballet. Might have to venture up past Watford at some point.

Excellent choice - It's a great piece. Once one has seen work at this level it makes it all too plain how one note Bourne is as a choreographer. He has excellent dramatic instincts but no sense of choreographic line and development.
Incidentally do you know who is dancing in Manon?

Sebastian

Manon
Roberta Marquez
Tamara Rojo
Laura Morera
Sarah Lamb
Leanne Benjamin
Alina Cojocaru
Mara Galeazzi


Des Grieux
Edward Watson
David Makhateli
Rupert Pennefather
Ivan Putrov
Carlos Acosta
Federico Bonelli
Johan Kobborg


Lescaut
Brian Maloney
Steven McRae
tbc
José Martín
Viacheslav Samodurov
Thiago Soares
Ricardo Cervera

That's the list from the ROH website, we've not picked a date yet to not sure exactly who we will be seeing. Quite exciting though. What have i become, excited about ballet?!

Go for Cojocaru or Rojo and Kobborg or Acosta. All superb in this sort of rep or pretty much anything else, actually!)

Agreed, though it could be hard to get good seats for those performances at this late stage. I've booked for Cojocaru/Kobborg and also Lamb/Bonelli. Sarah Lamb is making her debut in the role this season and I think she's going to be a huge success.

Tamara Rojo is currently injured (a broken foot according to one report), which may or may not affect casting for upcoming performances. There's always that risk when you book to see a particular dancer.

I'm going to have to book pretty quickly to get the good dancers then. Might have to give up trying to squirrel away money to get a box and just book. A box is a bit of a unnecessary luxury I suppose.

and you never get the best view with a box.....

Indeed. The Royal Box has one of the worst views in the house. Front row of the stalls circle is generally OK, or somewhere central in the orchestra stalls (though the rake isn't great so there's a risk of heads in the way). You can't see the dancers' feet from the front of the stalls but it can be fun to watch the orchestra and the seats are a little bit cheaper. A lot of people say the best seats are row H side stalls, which are in front of a stair well and have a nice clear view.

If you're on a budget, the matinees are significantly cheaper - as are the mixed bills.

Sit up in the ampitheatre - the acoustics are the best in the house, the view is ok and you won't spend a fortune!

Cojocaru is now out of Manon (and everything else) until 2009. Damn!

It's getting to be a real rarity to see Coj & Kob dancing together - even when you book specifically to do so!

First ballet I ever saw was "Romeo And Juliet" by NBT. It was mainly because my brother was conducting it. It was amazing.

It obviously did my brother good - he's head of music at ENB now!