The best time to bring the kids to the ballet: at the National Ballet of Canada’s Nutcracker

So, when is the best time to bring the kids to the ballet? Are they too young still? Will they appreciate it? Will they get bored? Should I wait until they’re a little bit older? When should I take my kids to the ballet? Well, my answer to that is Christmas eve! This year, we decided to do something different for Christmas eve, at least for our family. We went to the Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts to see the National Ballet of Canada’s Nutcracker. I had waited a few years until DD#2 was 5 to take them to see a ballet. They’ve seen the Nutcracker ballet on video and even Barbie’s version, but I wanted them to see an actual performance. I figured it was about time.

Garbed in their holiday wear, we took the train downtown to catch the story time at 12:15pm. The kids were seated on the floor of the Richard Bradshaw Ampitheatre to be closer to the two actors (portraying Marie and Misha) who told the story of their version of the Nutcracker. They told it from the viewpoint of the grownup kids remembering the wonderful dream they had many years ago. It was about 30 minutes long with just a little bit of audience participation. It was creatively presented and the kids actually thought that was what we came to see. Boy, were they in for a treat if expectations were low!

We then headed off to the theatre and the show began promptly at 1pm. Act 1 was not as exciting as Act 2 even if it had the battle with the Mouse king. The act was mostly on preparing for the feast and greeting guests. The stage, made to look like a barn, with snowy scenery outside, was beautiful. There were also nice dance numbers for each of the family guests. Of course, the Nutcracker, the uncle’s present to Marie, was first shown in this act. The highlight for us was the dancing bears. The costumes were very realistic. Apart from the bears, the horse bearing the gifts looked like a real horse, if not for the legs! In this act, Marie and Misha fought over the Nutcracker until they were sent off to bed. At midnight, the tree and the Nutcracker grew larger than life and the kids were transported into a different world. The Mouse king battled with the Nutcracker and the kids helped defeat the Mouse king through a great big pillow fight. This scene was actually so short, hubby failed to realize it was the big battle scene. I think he was dozing off  Speaking of boys and the ballet, the kids I saw were mostly girls. There were only less than a handful of boys during story time. Grown men were aplenty, though, which made me think that men are able to appreciate ballet as they grow older. Either that or they appreciate their women enough to take them to see these performances.

Intermission was a walk back to the ampitheatre to get autographs and pictures of a couple of Snowflake ballerinas. Others got some snacks and merchandise at the booths outside.

Act 2 was at the palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy with the Empress Dowager. The costumes were very dazzling and the dancing was just exquisite. It was mainly another sort of feast in the honor of the kids, showcasing different sets of dances from the chocolates, sheep, flowers (no gingerbread houses in this one). The snow plum fairy emerging from the Faberge egg to perform to one of the best known Tchaikovsky music was just awesome. The prima ballerina was the very picture of grace itself. Together with the Nutcracker turned Grand Duke, they seemed to have been dancing on air! They were such a beautiful sight to behold. It was just about the time to end. Each act was about 50 minutes long. Anything longer would have my 5 year old off to a nap.

Overall, watching the Nutcracker was a delightful experience. It was enchanting to see the beautiful dancing and intricate costumes and to hear the music. It will not be for the plot that you will appreciate this performance, though. Now, since we were left wanting more story on top of dancing, music and costumes, I think we will go see the Swan Lake next time. Hubby did not shoot down this next plan so he must have sincerely liked the Nutcracker--maybe as much as the girls and I did.

Hope your holiday was just as special. Here’s to a new year full of new memories!