Scottish Ballet for Kids – Wee Hansel & Gretel
I really want to get my tots into dance, any type of dance, therefore I’m quite delighted that Scottish Ballet has adapted its winter performance of Hansel & Gretel for little ones, engaging children with dance and theatre at a young age. Called Wee Hansel & Gretel the performances have been shortened to a child-friendly hour long show, accompanied by a live performance from the Scottish Ballet Orchestra.
As well as keeping kids active and healthy, dance instils discipline, and I personally loved the teamwork and camaraderie I experienced when a performance was pulled together. There’s also harsh competition to get any lead role so it’s not as gentle an arena as it sometimes appears. Lastly, taking part in dance opened to my eyes to a range of creative careers- lighting technician, violinist, choreographer, theatre manager, make-up artist, costume designer – that I simply wasn’t learning about at school or elsewhere. I’ll get off my tiny soapbox now…
Wee Hansel & Gretel is recommended for those aged three and over. Performances take place in Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre on the 16 December, Glasgow’s Theatre Royal on 13 January, Aberdeen’s His Majesty’s Theatre on 20 January, Inverness’ Eden Court 27 January and Newcastle’s Theatre Royal on 3 February 2017. Admittedly these are Friday afternoons so most children are at school, which is a shame, but an ideal opportunity for 3-5 year olds to get some grand theatres all to themselves without those pesky big brothers and sisters stealing the limelight.
Some of the promotional material shows ballerinas mixing with the children, allowing them to touch the tutu and see the stage makeup and pointe shoes close up. I hope this happens across the country and children begin a relationship discovering the magic of dance.
If you’re not sure if ballet is your bag then an hour long show might be a good reintroduction, and these performances could also be a good excuse for a family city break if you fancy a wee jaunt. Just saying.
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Seems really good for the little ones and I love the name “Wee Hansel and Gretel”. So apt for kids; straight out of a fairy tale:)
It’s such a gentle introduction for kids into a world they won’t have seen before. Really looking forward to it.
So sweet. I agree, the bigger performances can be hard for the wee ones to sit through. There are a lot of spin offs of the Nutcracker in my area which was great for my girls when they were very young.
The Nutcracker is so festive too. Lovely.
What a lovely idea to do a cut down version for kids – and you make a persuasive argument for taking them too! It’s a long time since I was last again the ballet but this sounds great with kids. #citytripping
I’m looking forward to taking him. He’ll be bamboozled (in a good way!)
I took my daughter to a children’s performance of Sleeping Beauty – she loved it. These kinds of ‘intro’ performances for kids are great. This sounds like a fabulous show. I’m popping over from #citytripping but this post would also be perfect for my own #CulturedKids if you wanted to come over and play! Live on the blog now. x
Great idea. Will add it tomorrow:-)
thanks for joining in!
The sister of a friend of mine is a Principal dancer with Scottish Ballet – I wonder if she is in this? Her name is Bethany Kingsley-Garner.
I went to my first ballet at a very young age – La Fille mal Gardée – and adored it.
#citytripping
What a small world. She’s been so supportive, retweeting my tweets about the show. Wonderful dancer.
Ah that’s lovely to hear. Her sister Abi is a choreographer here in Lincolnshire and worked with our AmDram group on a show we were performing a few years ago.
What a wonderfully creative family.
I would love to take my daughter to something like this. She loves dancing but we have yet to see a show solely focused around dance. An hour long fairytale dance performance sounds perfect. Thanks for linking #citytripping
Somehow your comment ended up in the spam. No idea why. Anyhow I hope a performance like this heads your way soon, there must be rich pickings in London so I hope you find something to inspire your little girl.
How weird! Glad you retrieved it. Yes, I should look into some appropriate shows to take her to in London.