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The image promotes accessible performances of festive operas and ballets, emphasizing inclusivity. It features dancers in colorful costumes on stage under an elegant, magical backdrop. Above the stage image, text reads, *"Experience accessible performances of magical festive operas and ballets."* Below, a bold red banner states: *"Join our free Access Scheme today"* with a button labeled *"Sign Up"* prominently displayed. The logo at the bottom reads *"Royal Ballet & Opera."* The overall design combines elegance and clarity, targeting audiences interested in inclusive cultural events.
Enjoy Accessible Performances Of Opera And Ballet This Festive Season At The Royal Ballet And Opera
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Enjoy Accessible Performances Of Opera And Ballet This Festive Season At The Royal Ballet And Opera

The image promotes accessible performances of festive operas and ballets, emphasizing inclusivity. It features dancers in colorful costumes on stage under an elegant, magical backdrop. Above the stage image, text reads, *"Experience accessible performances of magical festive operas and ballets."* Below, a bold red banner states: *"Join our free Access Scheme today"* with a button labeled *"Sign Up"* prominently displayed. The logo at the bottom reads *"Royal Ballet & Opera."* The overall design combines elegance and clarity, targeting audiences interested in inclusive cultural events.

This winter at the Royal Ballet and Opera, there is a range of accessible performances available across several different operas and ballets, offering something to suit all tastes. The performances available include captioned, audio-described, BSL-interpreted, relaxed and family-friendly performances. Visit the Royal Ballet and Opera Access Scheme page for information about the upcoming accessible performances.

Cinderella – Main Stage – 03/12/2024 –16/01/2025

The image is an artistic and dramatic portrayal of a ballerina in a classic ballet pose. She wears a sparkling white tutu and a delicate tiara, standing on pointe against a dark, starry background. Surrounding her are swirling elements such as clocks, feathers, and streaks of colorful light, creating a sense of magic and motion. The overall atmosphere suggests a fantastical or dreamlike narrative, possibly evoking themes of time or transformation, as seen in classic stories like *Cinderella*. The lighting highlights the dancer while the dynamic background adds an enchanting and otherworldly effect.
Photo: ©2024 Sebastian Nevols

On the Main Stage, the Royal Ballet performs Cinderella. Stuck at home and put to work by her spoiled Step-Sisters, Cinderella’s life is dreary and dull. But one day, everything changes when she helps a mysterious woman out… With a little magic, she is transported into an ethereal new world – one where fairies bring the gifts of the seasons, pumpkins turn into carriages, and true love awaits.

The run of Cinderella includes captioned, audio-described, family-friendly and relaxed performances. There will also be a pre-show touch tour ahead of select performances.

Upcoming accessible performances of Cinderella:

  • Audio-described: Sat 7 Dec at 7:30pm, Tues 10 Dec at 7:30pm, Thurs 12 Dec at 7:30pm, Sat 14 Dec at 7pm, Tues 17 Dec at 7:30pm, Thurs 19 Dec at 7:30pm, Sat 21 Dec at 1pm, Mon 23 Dec at 7:30pm, Sat 28 Dec at 1pm, Sat 28 Dec at 7pm, Tues 31 Dec at 1pm, Wed 1 Jan at 1pm & 7pm, Fri 3 Jan at 1pm & 7:30pm, Thurs 9 Jan at 7:30pm, Fri 10 Jan at 7:30pm, Thurs 16 Jan at 7:30pm
  • Audio-described and captioned: Mon 9 Dec at 7:30pm
  • Audio-described with Touch Tour: Sat 21 Dec at 7pm (Touch Tour begins at 6pm)
  • Relaxed, sensory adapted, audio-described and captioned: Sat 14 Dec at 12:30pm

Hansel and Gretel – Main Stage – 22/12/2024 – 07/01/2025

The image shows a dramatic stage set from a theatrical production, likely of *Hansel and Gretel*. At the center is a stylized, eerie-looking house resembling a witch's cottage, with an exaggeratedly sharp knife embedded in its roof and a large red apple at the blade's tip. The house sits on a rotating stage platform surrounded by a dark, foreboding forest backdrop, emphasizing a sinister, fairytale atmosphere.Two performers are on the stage: one seated in a bright blue and pink costume, representing a traditional folk dress style, and the other standing with an arm raised, dressed in rustic attire. The set features details like a rocking chair and an illuminated window with a dripping "blood" effect, adding to the eerie mood. Red petals or drops are scattered in the foreground, enhancing the dark fairytale theme.
Photo: © ROH Photographer: Clive Barda

This festive opera of Hansel and Gretel offers a fairy tale adventure for the whole family. Sent into the woods to look for strawberries, the hungry Hansel and Gretel are about to embark on a fantastic adventure. As they fall asleep, a fairy tale world comes to life around them. But the mysterious forest is not always safe for children, and little do they know, something darkly delicious awaits them when they wake…

Hansel and Gretel offers family-friendly, audio-described, BSL-interpreted, captioned and relaxed performances, as well as a pre-show touch tour ahead of select performances.

Upcoming accessible performances of Hansel and Gretel:

  • Audio-described: Tues 24 Dec at 12:30pm, Fri 27 Dec at 7:30pm, Sun 29 Dec at 2pm, Mon 30 Dec at 7:30pm, Thurs 2 Jan at 7:30pm
  • BSL interpreted, captioned and audio-described with Touch Tour: Tues 7 Jan at 7:30pm (Touch Tour begins at 6:30pm)
  • Relaxed, sensory adapted, and audio-description and Touch Tour: Sat 4 Jan at 12:30pm (Touch Tour begins at 11:30am)

La bohème – Main Stage – 13/12/2024 – 17/01/2025

This image captures a scene from a stage production of *La Bohème*. The setting appears to be a bustling street or public gathering, with a diverse group of performers in period costumes evocative of 19th-century Paris. Key details: - **Costumes**: The characters are dressed in historically inspired clothing, including long coats, capes, top hats, and other formal attire. Notably, one performer in the center wears a red coat, standing out vividly against the darker tones. - **Atmosphere**: Snow falls gently across the scene, adding a sense of winter and creating a poignant, festive, or nostalgic mood. - **Interaction**: A central couple is depicted in a tender moment, with the man and woman holding hands, suggesting a romantic connection. - **Composition**: The background features other characters, some playing musical instruments, adding depth and liveliness to the scene. - **Lighting**: The lighting enhances the warm and emotional tone of the production, spotlighting the central figures while keeping the surroundings atmospheric. This image likely reflects a significant moment in the opera, emphasizing themes of love, camaraderie, and the struggles of Bohemian life.
Photo: ©2020 ROH. Photographed by Tristram Kenton

La bohème sees a spark of love kindled on a snowy Christmas Eve. When penniless poet Rodolfo meets Mimì, a seamstress, they fall instantly in love, but their happiness is threatened by Mimì’s grave illness. With its Christmas setting, tender exploration of first love and both humorous and heartbreaking celebration of friendship, Puccini’s famous love story makes the perfect choice for your first or fiftieth visit to the opera.

This festive opera offers audio-described, BSL-interpreted and captioned performances, with a pre-show touch tour.

Upcoming accessible performances of La bohème:

  • Audio-described: Mon 16 Dec at 7:30pm, Fri 20 Dec at 7:30pm, Mon 23 Dec at 12pm, Sat 4 Jan at 7:30pm, Wed 8 Jan at 7:30pm, Sat 11 Jan at 7:30pm, Fri 17 Jan at 7:30pm
  • BSL interpreted, captioned, and audio-described with Touch Tour: Wed 18 Dec at 7:30pm (Touch Tour begins at 6:30pm)

Ruination – Linbury Theatre – 02/12/2024 – 04/01/2025

This image portrays an intimate, emotional moment between two performers during a theatrical or dance production. Key details: - **Characters**: The pair is closely embraced, with their faces gently touching, evoking a sense of connection, vulnerability, or passion. - **Costumes**: - The performer on the left wears a delicate pink, multi-layered ruffled garment resembling a tutu or an avant-garde costume. - The performer on the right wears modern, fitted attire, including a white tank top and vibrant pink trousers, creating a striking juxtaposition between classical and contemporary styles. - **Lighting**: The lighting is focused and soft, emphasizing the performers against a dark background, enhancing the emotional intensity and isolating the moment. - **Mood**: The embrace, their focused expressions, and the close framing suggest themes of intimacy, confrontation, or understanding. This striking composition likely reflects a climactic or poignant moment in the performance, blending modern aesthetics with classical or symbolic elements.
Photo: ©2022 ROH

The final production on offer is in the smaller Linbury Theatre. Dance theatre company Lost Dog presents Ruination, a reimagining of the Greek myth of Medea. This alternative festive show offers a serving of Greek tragedy, in contrast to the sparkle of Cinderella going on upstairs. Everything you think you know about the myth of Medea is turned on its head in this critically acclaimed production combining words, live music and contemporary dance.

Ruination is suitable for ages 14+. There will be relaxed, BSL-interpreted, captioned and audio-described performances, with a pre-show touch tour.

Upcoming accessible performances of Ruination: 

  • Relaxed, BSL Interpreted and captioned: Sat 7 Dec at 2:30pm
  • BSL Interpreted and captioned: Thurs 12 Dec at 7:15pm
  • Captioned: Tues 17 Dec at 7:15pm and Friday 3 Jan at 7:15pm
  • Audio-described with Touch Tour: Wed 18 Dec at 7:15pm (Touch Tour begins at 6pm)

Join the Access Scheme and book accessible performances

The easiest way to book accessible performances at the Royal Ballet and Opera is by joining the free Access Scheme. This will give you access to accessible seating, free companion tickets and more. Find out more and join the Access Scheme.

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