Another delightful family group! Belated thanks for your Good Wishes, Jamie, Star, Sinbad and Xena - and mine to you all for 2009.

How I miss the ballet, especially at Christmas. For many years, I used to attend our Royal Ballet's performances at The Royal Opera House in London, and their 'Friends Christmas Party' was always something else!

I agree that The Nutcracker is a fine introduction to the world of ballet and, whilst I agree with Rex that Balanchine's works are not to be missed, I would have thought them, on the whole, better to be savoured later - especially by the children. Many of them, whilst exciting to watch, are abstract works of some complexity. In my opinion, ballets that tell a story (perhaps with a little humour added), such as 'La Fille Mal Gardee' or 'Coppelia', or Classics like 'Swan Lake' would be more appropriate as a next stage.

So, with a couple of jetées, an entrechat and a massive tour dans l'air .....

Take care,
Ham.