Last night I went to see The Birmingham Royal Ballet perform Romeo and Juliet, I went with my son who is 7. He loves the theater but is at an age where he feels its important to stay within gender rolls. I was curious as to how he would take it, after all it was long with two intermissions. the only other time I went to the ballet in my life I was younger than he was, to see the Nutcracker on a school trip the only thing I remember was the fact I was too light to hold down the seat, and I had to perch on top. So on the most part it was a new experience was a new one for both of us.
Beforehand I did some prep with the boy, we read a child's version of the story, and also watched Gnomio & Juliet i felt he was ready he knew the story. I the morning I was dropping him somewhere and he gazing out the window said, "It kinda has a happy ending, Romeo and Juliet cause went they both die they get to be together." We hadn't even been talking about it.
As soon as we got there he was entranced, so impressed with the sets that he gasped. "Oh, that's cool mummy" as a huge painting of two houses was lowered down while they moved scenery.
The first section I do think he struggled bit, after all there was no talking. We communicated in loud whispers, "Who's that?" "Why does everyone have swords?", and "She looks like a duck". I think we may have been annoying people a wee bit, but he clearly was enjoying the show quite a lot. I then started to read him the scene notes at the beginning of each act and this seemed to cut down on the boys questions.
I thought we may have to leave early, as it did run on late, we where well past his bedtime by the time it was all over but he was keen to stay. However he was very grumpy and refused to admit he was enjoying ballet, but this morning he was gushing to his Dad about the play and how good all the sword fighting was.