Whether it's breathing in the magic of the theatre, marvelling at the artistry of the performers, or simply enjoying the thrill of a well-deserved night out, there is undeniably something unforgettable about an evening spent at the ballet.
We encouraged our Twitter followers to indulge in a moment of nostalgia and tell us about their first experiences of the ballet — be it live on the Covent Garden stage, or further afield — and we were not disappointed:
@TheRoyalBallet Saturday is 50th anniversary of my first ballet, RB's Sleeping Beauty at the ROH. Will never forget it -N Nerina & C Gable — Anne Logan (@AnneFHLoganKent) May 10, 2016
@TheRoyalBallet my first experience was to take my son to see #ROHNutcracker . Last Christmas he danced as a small soldier @TheRoyalBallet
— JakiJ (@jakij) May 11, 2016
.@TheRoyalBallet first ballet I saw was Swan Lake at La Scala in Milan. I was 6. Changed my life. Powerful storytelling. #TutuTuesday — M.G. Leonard (@MGLnrd) May 10, 2016
@TheRoyalBallet Romeo and Juliet, live cinema in Cleveleys. I adored it and can't wait go see #Frankenstein at the cinema at Cheshire oaks — Sarah Jordan (@SjGirlieX) May 10, 2016
@TheRoyalBallet the first ballet I ever saw was Raven Girl with @hmelissa84 in June 2013 blown away is an understatement
— Jéan-Paul aka JP (@Balletstalker) May 10, 2016
@TheRoyalBallet My first was an old clip of Anna Pavlova in Swan Lake onTV. I was 5 and danced for the next 10 yrs. #TutuTuesday — Jacqueline Nuttall (@jacqnut) May 10, 2016
@TheRoyalBallet as a kid in about 1986. La Fille, Swan Lake, Beauty etc. In the days of Fiona Chadwick, Stephen Jefferies, etc — Rachel Holland (@LowerSlipsGirl) May 10, 2016
@TheRoyalBallet #TutuTuesday First ballet I saw as a child Swan Lake with Nureyev and Fonteyn. Was hooked from that day. Love livescreenings — sheila ann lally (@lallys) May 10, 2016
@TheRoyalBallet Onegin with the wonderful @ianasalenko. how did I feel - addicted. Inspired me to take up ballet at the tender age of 31 :) — Solveig (@Solli_21) May 10, 2016
@TheRoyalBallet @BRB The Nutcracker at The Birmingham Hippodrome - Leanne Benjamin was Clara & it was still Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet — Louise Jones (@LouiseJones1403) May 10, 2016
@TheRoyalBallet The Red Shoes by Moira Shearer. Full of passion, power, sadness and beauty! — Sue (@susu_law) May 10, 2016
@TheRoyalBallet @RoyalOperaHouse I think it must have been Giselle with Sylvie Guilhem. I felt I had to come back... And I did :) — isabelle osman (@isao7) May 10, 2016
What was your first experience of ballet?
Let us know via the comments below.
ROH Live Cinema relays are a great way to experience ballet for the first time. Find your nearest cinema and sign up to our mailing list.
