The Peacock Theatre is located in London’s West End, close to Covent Garden and to the Holborn and Temple tube stations.
Opened in 1960, it was originally known as the Royalty Theatre, and it used to be a cinema and television studio before becoming the Peacock Theatre in 1996. It provides a modern backdrop to a vast stage, often hosting hit musicals, theatres, talks and of course ballet!
Your experience will begin the moment you walk through the door. Look out for our programmes, where you can find further information about who will be performing, the story of the ballet, as well as fun activities and colouring pages for your little one to complete. There will also be a selection of pre-theatre drinks and snacks available before heading into the auditorium
To ensure little one gets the best view of the magic on stage, booster seats are available at the theatre — just ask a member of staff.
If you’d like to take a piece of the My First Ballet magic home with you, you’ll find a selection of themed souvenirs and mementos available in the foyer. For more information on planning your visit click here.
You can also see a visual guide to the Peacock Theatre here.
My First Ballet: Swan Lake tells the story of the princess Odette, who has been turned into a swan by the magician Rothbart: only at night can she return to human form. Will Prince Siegfried be able to save her, or will he fall for Rothbart’s sorcery?
Find out more about the story here, as told by children:
Though not usually a fixture of traditional ballets, My First Ballet: Swan Lake has a narrator to help younger audiences follow the story. The narrator will lead you through ballet, describing key moments to give more context about what is happening and the characters on stage.
Watch this video for an example of how this works while watching the ballet on stage:
Did you know we have a BSL interpreted performance for My First Ballet on 23 April, as well as a Relaxed Performance on 24 April? Find out more about our access events here.
As the show is about to begin, the theatre lights dim, the crowd goes quiet, the curtain lifts and the music starts!
Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the score for Swan Lake includes some of the most iconic and recognisable ballet music ever written pieces . In My First Ballet you’ll hear a shortened version of the original, recorded by the English National Ballet Philharmonic.
From the graceful swans moving as one in the moonlight by the lake to the unforgettable pas de deux of Siegried and Odile, you’ll see exceptional dancing from students of English National Ballet School.
You can watch this video of Chloe Kenneally teaching some of the steps from the ballet, so your little ones will be able to recognise them on stage, and try them out at home!
The iconic white tutus of the swans, the menacing outfit of the sorcerer Rothbart and the vibrant colours of the court princesses’ dresses: this production features sumptuous costumes and memorable sets to bring the story to life.
There’s lots more content to explore ahead of your visit to My First Ballet.
Use our Resource Hub to prepare your little ones for their first ballet experience. The Listen and Learn section will help you to discover the story behind Swan Lake and the beauty of its soundtrack. Head to the Create section for a colouring page, tutu craft and mask craft activity, available to download and print. Or familiarise yourself with some memorable film extracts from this beautiful production.
Budding ballet dancers can experience the thrill of taking to the stage at the Peacock Theatre in our series of creative ballet workshops.
Led by English National Ballet’s highly experienced Associate Dance Artists, these workshops, created especially for children aged x-x, will explore the wonderful music, iconic swan-inspired movement, and famous characters of My First Ballet: Swan Lake. Participants will also have the chance to get up close to the beautiful costumes and production scenery!
Limited places remain. Check availability for our here and be sure to sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about opportunities like this.
If you require Audio Description and access to our pre-show Touch Tour on Thu 24 April, please email tickets@sadlerswells.com and they will be happy to book you in.
We can’t wait to welcome you to an unforgettable experience with English National Ballet. And if you haven’t yet booked your tickets, you can do so here!