Narrator at Royal Ballet

The normally serene and sophisticated Royal Ballet and Opera in the heart of London's Covent Garden was filled with the laughter and chatter of thousands of excited children from all over England. They'd come to see the first performance of the ballet version of Cinderella, the fairy tale about a downtrodden young woman who is suddenly blessed by fortune and ends up marrying a prince.

The normally serene and sophisticated Royal Ballet and Opera in the heart of London's Covent Garden was filled with the laughter and chatter of thousands of excited children from all over England. They'd come to see the first performance of the ballet version of Cinderella, the fairy tale about a downtrodden young woman who is suddenly blessed by fortune and ends up marrying a prince.

And the young audience also got a glimpse behind the scenes, finding out how the enormous intricate sets are moved and changed during the intervals. For many children, opportunities like this are not common. But thanks to money from donors, the theatre has hosted seven such schools events this year, including ballet and opera performances of Alice in Wonderland and Hansel and Gretel.

And the young audience also got a glimpse behind the scenes, finding out how the enormous intricate sets are moved and changed during the intervals. For many children, opportunities like this are not common. But thanks to money from donors, the theatre has hosted seven such schools events this year, including ballet and opera performances of Alice in Wonderland and Hansel and Gretel.

These children from a school in Rotherham in the north of England spoke about what the experience meant to them.

These children from a school in Rotherham in the north of England spoke about what the experience meant to them.

Gillian Barker, Director of Learning and Participation, explained why it's important this tradition continues.

Gillian Barker, Director of Learning and Participation, explained why it's important this tradition continues.

The reaction of the children spoke for itself. Kevin O'Hare is the director of the Royal Ballet.

The reaction of the children spoke for itself. Kevin O'Hare is the director of the Royal Ballet.

Kevin O'Hare says opportunities like this can truly shape a child's life. What can seem like just a memory can actually be the moment someone decides what they want to spend their life doing.

Kevin O'Hare says opportunities like this can truly shape a child's life. What can seem like just a memory can actually be the moment someone decides what they want to spend their life doing.

So what did the children think of their first Royal Ballet experience?

So what did the children think of their first Royal Ballet experience?

The normally serene and sophisticated Royal Ballet and Opera in the heart of London's Covent Garden was filled with the laughter and chatter of thousands of excited children from all over England. They'd come to see the first performance of the ballet version of Cinderella, the fairy tale about a downtrodden young woman who is suddenly blessed by fortune and ends up marrying a prince.

And the young audience also got a glimpse behind the scenes, finding out how the enormous intricate sets are moved and changed during the intervals. For many children, opportunities like this are not common. But thanks to money from donors, the theatre has hosted seven such schools events this year, including ballet and opera performances of Alice in Wonderland and Hansel and Gretel.

These children from a school in Rotherham in the north of England spoke about what the experience meant to them.

Gillian Barker, Director of Learning and Participation, explained why it's important this tradition continues.

The reaction of the children spoke for itself. Kevin O'Hare is the director of the Royal Ballet.

Kevin O'Hare says opportunities like this can truly shape a child's life. What can seem like just a memory can actually be the moment someone decides what they want to spend their life doing.

So what did the children think of their first Royal Ballet experience?