First visit to ROH

[Guest oncnp]

11 minutes ago, Tiptoesmama said:

She has been quite transfixed by the streamed recording of Lauren Cuthbertson dancing the sugar plum fairy - which is why she asked if we could see her dance (although I am sure you are right, once there she would equally enjoy any cast!) 

 

love the idea of a box - not sure I will find two others to love that idea as much as I do - but I am going to try! 🤣

 

If she wants to see Cuthbertson, you might want to look at the 20 Dec matinee (assuming she's out of school). Tickets are held back for general booking but the "good" 23rd tickets already look pretty well sold.  Better availability on the 20th

[Emeralds]

2 hours ago, Tiptoesmama said:

She has been quite transfixed by the streamed recording of Lauren Cuthbertson dancing the sugar plum fairy - which is why she asked if we could see her dance (although I am sure you are right, once there she would equally enjoy any cast!) 

 

love the idea of a box - not sure I will find two others to love that idea as much as I do - but I am going to try! 🤣

I know the recording you mean.....that’s a lovely performance! If you can’t find two other people, I would still go for it regardless - there are foreign holidays that cost considerably more (and I always find the airport queues quite depressing and not at all five star!) and I always think it’s better to have one magical experience than 2 mediocre experiences for the same price. 

 

I did once fork out grand tier box seats for just two of us for a birthday treat when there was a last minute cast change (with my two of my fave dancers) for Romeo and Juliet  and all other seats  had already been sold. I haven’t done that again since but it was worth it for that particular performance! 

 

@oncnp is right- if you can’t find good seats for 23 Dec next week, but can make it for a weekday matinee, Lauren Cuthbertson is also dancing on Wed 20 Dec, which might have more front row seats to choose from. There are usually some seats that priority bookers can’t book (to prevent everything being sold out before public booking opens) for every show, so if you have some flexibility with dates, that gives you two possibilities when public booking opens next week. 

[Sophoife]

This thread is a shining example of why I love this forum. So many helpful, detailed answers, and all in a generous spirit (perfect for The Nutcracker)!

 

Kudos to all xx

[Tiptoesmama]

9 hours ago, oncnp said:

 

If she wants to see Cuthbertson, you might want to look at the 20 Dec matinee (assuming she's out of school). Tickets are held back for general booking but the "good" 23rd tickets already look pretty well sold.  Better availability on the 20th

we’re both in school on 20th and it’s the last day of term so I don’t think I’d get any wriggle room.  I think I’m going to take the advice to go for good seats rather than cast though - especially as it’s her first one.  Thank you for looking at the availability - are the boxes all sold for 23rd too? I don’t think I can see what has sold on the general page.  

[Tiptoesmama]

7 hours ago, Sophoife said:

This thread is a shining example of why I love this forum. So many helpful, detailed answers, and all in a generous spirit (perfect for The Nutcracker)!

 

Kudos to all xx

I couldn’t agree more.  It’s the first time I’ve posted on the forum (having just joined) and I’m so pleased I did.  So helpful. 

[Tiptoesmama]

7 hours ago, Emeralds said:

I know the recording you mean.....that’s a lovely performance! If you can’t find two other people, I would still go for it regardless - there are foreign holidays that cost considerably more (and I always find the airport queues quite depressing and not at all five star!) and I always think it’s better to have one magical experience than 2 mediocre experiences for the same price. 

 

I did once fork out grand tier box seats for just two of us for a birthday treat when there was a last minute cast change (with my two of my fave dancers) for Romeo and Juliet  and all other seats  had already been sold. I haven’t done that again since but it was worth it for that particular performance! 

 

@oncnp is right- if you can’t find good seats for 23 Dec next week, but can make it for a weekday matinee, Lauren Cuthbertson is also dancing on Wed 20 Dec, which might have more front row seats to choose from. There are usually some seats that priority bookers can’t book (to prevent everything being sold out before public booking opens) for every show, so if you have some flexibility with dates, that gives you two possibilities when public booking opens next week. 

So the Grand tier boxes - the tickets are the same price as the top tier seats in the circle and stalls circle aren’t they? Just that I’d need to buy all 4 (🤣).  I think I would love this - let alone her! 

[LinMM]

I hope you go for it everybody deserves a big treat from time to time. 
Does your daughter like beans on toast? 
 

[JohnS]

Here’s the seat map for 23 December matinee:

 

https://www.roh.org.uk/seatmap?performanceId=54528

 

I’m afraid all the Grand Tier boxes look sold. There are a couple of pairs of Stalls seats - C24&25 and E26&27. C24 & E26 are aisle seats so the view from those seats is good. But as others have said there’s not much of a rake for the first 6 or so rows in the Stalls. There’s also A28&29 but these are right in the corner. I do hope you’re successful in getting good tickets.

[Anna C]

Might they release more seats for General Booking, do you think?  I never book boxes, so I don’t know.  It doesn’t help that the only seat map I can select is for the matinée on 9th Dec.  😣

[JohnS]

I’m very unsure about tickets being held back for general booking. I don’t recall seeing any seats not on sale other than the grey Friday Rush seats but I suppose if I’d clicked on some of the multicoloured seats looking as if they were for sale I might have received a ‘not available’ message although I think any ‘not available’ messages I might have received would probably be where others had put the tickets in their baskets. 

[Emeralds]

3 hours ago, Tiptoesmama said:

So the Grand tier boxes - the tickets are the same price as the top tier seats in the circle and stalls circle aren’t they? Just that I’d need to buy all 4 (🤣).  I think I would love this - let alone her! 

Yes, for a Grand Tier Box, you buy 4 seats, and each seat is just same price as a normal grand tier seat and normal front row central seat of Stalls Circle (I emphasise central as the price goes down bit by bit as the seating gets nearer the side). 

 

Balcony boxes are also not bad if the grand tier boxes are totally sold out. You do feel really close to the action (the children like the “panoramic” view of the snow scene and being able to see the detail of the battle of toy soldiers and dolls vs the  mice.) You do get a semi restricted view of just the side of the stage you are nearest but being so close to the orchestra and the dancers gives a very “4D” or “immersive” feel which you don’t get from the central sections of any tier (even the more expensive seats).

 

My school friend’s teenage daughter (who said she never liked ballet as a small child) came and sat with us in one of these boxes and declared it was “totally magical” - so much so that they went to see another Nutcracker (ENB) 2 weeks later!

 

The balcony box is much lower priced than a Grand Tier Box  because of the more restricted view-the two people seated behind in the tall seats get a far more restricted view than their companions in front and might only experience it like a concert and not be able to see much. My friend dealt with this by sharing the front seat with her daughter for Act 2 after sitting behind in Act 1 (they’re both slender enough not to break the chair!) and were very happy with the experience! Of course, the balcony boxes are modestly priced compared to a grand tier box for you not to bring anyone else and not feel that’s too extravagant leaving 2 seats empty.

 

It’s worth browsing seats at a show in the current season for comparison, eg the Australian Ballet’s Jewels. The prices will be different, but the price structure of the boxes and the prices getting lower as they get to the sides are similar. And do click on the “view from seat” for a photo of what the view looks like (you can only see this for unsold seats). The photos don’t show the view from the back seats of the boxes that well- it’s really only the view from the front seats. You can also check what the seat itself looks like, whether it’s a standalone chair, tall stool or shared seating with or without arm rests.

Edited July 29, 2023 by Emeralds
Extensively for clarity

[Guest oncnp]

@JohnS link didn't work for me (probably just me. showed the whole house available or rather unavailable on 9 Dec) so here is another look at 23 Dec matinee

Edited July 29, 2023 by oncnp

[JohnS]

Many thanks @oncnp. Bizarrely the link I posted works for me and I’m not signed in at ROH - I was when I copied the link.

[Guest oncnp]

Just now, JohnS said:

Many thanks @oncnp. Bizarrely the link I posted works for me and I’m not signed in at ROH - I was when I copied the link.

 

Another mystery of the ROH website......😀

[Tiptoesmama]

48 minutes ago, oncnp said:

@JohnS link didn't work for me (probably just me. showed the whole house available or rather unavailable on 9 Dec) so here is another look at 23 Dec matinee

Wow - that’s a lot of tickets sold already 😭

[zxDaveM]

15 minutes ago, Tiptoesmama said:

Wow - that’s a lot of tickets sold already 😭

 

some of those will be those held back for public booking, which is on Wednesday

[Tiptoesmama]

It’s worse than Taylor Swift tickets 🤣 I’ll set my alarm for Wednesday - digital elbows at the ready! 

[Anna C]

Still 5 row A SC tickets showing, so that’s encouraging.

[Tiptoesmama]

6 minutes ago, Anna C said:

Still 5 row A SC tickets showing, so that’s encouraging.

Yes I was thinking I might try for these - they are on the side so quite near the stage too which I think she will like.  There are some front row in the balcony too… I think @Emeraldssaid the balcony has a good view on the front row too.  Fingers crossed they are still there on Wednesday! 

[capybara]

7 minutes ago, Anna C said:

Still 5 row A SC tickets showing, so that’s encouraging.

 

And Seats A 28 and 29 in the Orchestra Stalls are fine provided a child has a cushion (or two!) and the adult sits in #29.

[Bluebird]

40 minutes ago, Tiptoesmama said:

Yes I was thinking I might try for these - they are on the side so quite near the stage too which I think she will like.  There are some front row in the balcony too… I think @Emeraldssaid the balcony has a good view on the front row too.  Fingers crossed they are still there on Wednesday! 

 

The balcony front row is fine if you're in or near the centre block.  The sides can, however, be very problematic.  I've not sat there myself but friends have told me that, despite the high price of these seats,  the view of the stage can be obscured by neighbouring patrons leaning forward.

[LinMM]

The row A in the Balcony is fine until about seat 62…..but after that the block caused by the balustrade makes some people want to lean forward. 
If you don’t you still can have a reasonably good view ….except of more extreme right hand corner of the stage. But this could definitely be more awkward for a child. 
It would be the same equivalent on the other left hand side of Balcony row A ….from about seat 25 and lower. 

These seats are marked “R” anyway on the seat map for restricted view. 
The more central Row A Balcony are of course more expensive. 
 

Edited July 29, 2023 by LinMM

[jmhopton]

If it was me I'd definitely go for SC -  if there are any left! Or even adjust which performance I attended to get the best SC seat. I'm sure a child would appreciate being so close to the action. I certainly do! Good luck

[Tiptoesmama]

17 minutes ago, jmhopton said:

If it was me I'd definitely go for SC -  if there are any left! Or even adjust which performance I attended to get the best SC seat. I'm sure a child would appreciate being so close to the action. I certainly do! Good luck

I really hope we can get those front row stall circle seats that are currently still available - realise that could change quickly! I feel like the 23rd would be such a lovely Christmassy day to do it!  But I’m happy to stay in Christmas mode until January if we need to 🤣

[Tiptoesmama]

Just wanted to update you all and say I took the advice on here and went for the better seats on a different day - so we’re going on the Friday before Christmas for the matinee.  Very excited! I will take some photos and update you all with a review.  Thank you so much for all the help and advice! 

[alison]

Please do - we'll look forward to it.

[Peanut68]

So pleased you got good tickets! Enjoy that special first mother/daughter ballet visit & I hope it’s a joyful start to many more visits over many decades!

I am looking forward to mother/daughter visits this weekend to see The Australian Ballet…. Goodness knows how many trips (over now 2 decades!) she & I have enjoyed together…. Occasionally good seats, often cheap last minute ones when we may not even be sat/stood together…. But always a chance to keep building our ballet bond for life! 
🥰

[Tiptoesmama]

I thought I’d come on and let you know how we got on with our first Nutcracker and ROH visit! 
 

At the champagne bar (just for me, not the little one ha ha), I spoke to an older gentleman who told me it was his 75th Nutcracker.   When I told him it was our first and first visit to the ROH, he said we would remember it for the rest of our lives.  How right he was!

 

We loved all of it.  The Christmassy setting of Covent Garden, the snow on the hour under the market and all the lights and decorations (and some street food).  We got into the Royal Opera House early so we could look around - my little girl was delighted to see the decorated pointe shoes and spent all her pocket money in the beautiful shop!  
 

Our seats (as recommended by some of you) were stall circle row A, round to the side so we were closer to the stage.  Perfect for us - we could see all the details of the theatre and also the orchestra.  I worried the ballet might be quite long for my daughter - but she was completely mesmerised from start to finish.  I cried when the tree grew - the music was just stunning - and cried again during the Snowflakes which was so beautiful and magical.  
 

We loved seeing the children - particularly in the scene with the soldiers and the mice!  All the magic and staging in the first half was so much better live in the theatre than when we’ve watched it on the tv.  The scene where the tree grows and the dolls house comes back on stage with Hans-Peter in it was just amazing. 
 

We saw Sarah Lamb as the sugar plum fairy and her turns (I don’t know the technical terms) in their final piece were just breathtaking! Like a blur!  

 

My little one loved the Arabian dance (she exclaimed out loud at one point which made me smile).  I absolutely loved the waltz of the flowers and the leading lady in this part was amazing, as were the four gents who seemed to be on strings with that elevation!  
 

As I’d said in one of my previous posts - I was worried it might be too long for my 10 year old but she was transfixed.  Her only complaint was the amount of curtain calls (‘why do they keep coming out?’ 🤣)  we were also a little surprised that people didn’t stand up - so deserving of a standing ovation. 
 

So I wanted to come on and thank you all for the advice and time you took to guide us through our first visit.  I would never have chosen those seats without guidance and they were perfect.   I cannot wait to go back! (Slightly alarmed to hear it might not be staged next Christmas as I was hoping to make it a Christmas tradition!  But maybe we can go to a different production

 

Happy New Year to you all and we’ll stick around - what a great community for advice and support.  

[Sim]

So pleased that you and your little girl loved it so much!  I started taking my girl when she was 4, and now at 32 she is still a huge balletomane.  In turn, my parents started taking me when I was 5, so we are onto the 3rd generation of ballet love....hopefully you too will start a generational love of ballet!  

[Emeralds]

Ah, I did wonder if you would post your thoughts or review after your visit, @Tiptoesmama, and so pleased that you both had a lovely experience (we were at the same performance)! The first time one brings one's offspring to see Nutcracker (especially a good production) is always exciting because you don't know if they'll love it or not. So pleased for you that you both enjoyed it, and your description of being moved to tears also moves me too! 

 

I'm also delighted that you enjoyed the dancing of Sarah Lamb and Melissa Hamilton (the leading lady in Waltz of the Flowers), who are two of my favourite dancers. And I agree that the four gents (Teo Dubreuil, David Donnelly, Taisuke Nakao, Harrison Lee) had brilliant elevation. (Geek info alert: we loved Ms Lamb's fouettes and chaine turns at the end too.) Your daughter’s observation about the curtain calls made me chuckle because although I do love to see them, I'm sure some patrons comparing them with other companies sometimes think they're so long that they're like an extra show in themselves, haha. As for standing ovations- do feel free to stand if you feel they really deserve one and you may find that others will follow suit....everyone just waiting for someone else to start perhaps 😉.  

 

If you'd like to see Nutcracker again next season and there isn't a Royal Ballet production being performed, there's always English National Ballet's production at the Coliseum close by (the company promise to provide a Nutcracker for London every year no matter what - unless closed down by law as with the pandemic a few years ago) and I believe Birmingham Royal Ballet plan to return to Royal Albert Hall next season with an adaptation of their Birmingham production. Might be interesting for comparison? But until then, great to hear you both had wonderful memories to treasure. PS also love that you enjoy reading the forum!

[Missfrankiecat]

What a happy post @Tiptoesmama - so glad you and your daughter had a great introduction to the RB and to the Nutcracker.  May it be the first of many visits.

[bridiem]

I was delighted to read your post, @Tiptoesmama - it sounds as if it couldn't have gone better! I'm so glad you both enjoyed it so much. (I find that when the tree is growing, I just stop breathing... so I understand your tears!). I hope you will go back before long, but I'm sure that neither you nor your daughter will ever forget your first visit.

[Sophoife]

10 hours ago, Tiptoesmama said:

 I cried when the tree grew - the music was just stunning - and cried again during the Snowflakes which was so beautiful and magical.  

 

Snow scene always makes me cry too.

 

At the end of 2022 AusBallet presented a gala of various snippets, "unstaged and with no scenery". The closing piece was the Snow scene (ours has a Snow Fairy and four escorts/winds, it's the Peter Wright Birmingham production) and they pulled out all the stops with the proper backdrop and falling snow. I'd taken a friend and we clasped hands and held our breath, and at the end turned to each other, tears still shining on our faces, and said, "Merry Christmas!" 😍