Going to the ballet at Christmas is one of my favourite traditions. It's one of my favourite things to do all year round, but a festive production is that bit more special. My mum scraping frost off the car windows and driving to a matinee is one of my earliest memories. On another occasion, I remember asking a lady sat in front of me if I could please try her binoculars, probably around 5 or 6 years old, for which I got a mighty telling off. (Maybe you should have given me 20p to hire my own, hey Ma?!)
Sleeping Beauty at the Paris Opéra
As I was in Paris last winter I saw Rudolf Nureyev’s The Sleeping Beauty by the Paris Opera Ballet at L'Opéra Bastille. I went to the opening night, so there were some wobbles, brushing of tutus and slightly asymmetrical formations, but overall it was wonderful. I splurged on a fifth row stall seat so I could see the magnificent costumes, the splendour of the elaborate, golden set design, the Baroque court dances and beautiful solos up close.
This year I'm going to see The English National Ballet's production of The Nutcracker at The Coliseum, which I last saw in 2011 a couple of days before going to New York for Christmas. There are still tickets available here.
The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum, 11 Dec 2014 – 4 Jan 2015
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