Opera and More in London's Heart
Royal Opera House Has Something for Everyone
This historic London theatre offers more than just performances. Tours, exhibits, workshops and free concerts will keep the whole family entertained.
Visitors to London often pass by the Royal Opera House, thinking it's all about the highbrow arts. Yet behind its impressive Covent Garden façade, state-of-the-art technology, interactive family fun and ghostly shivers are all on offer to visitors throughout the day. Even better, the website offers a regularly updated list of free events alongside the big-ticket performances.
Family Fun for Free
Apart from its world-renowned opera and ballet performances, the ROH, as it's known to fans, has a fascinating and constantly-changing programme. Family-friendly workshops are held at intervals throughout the year. For example, from May 27-31, 2008 there are sessions covering drawing, makeup, crafts, dance and music-making, plus "ghost tours" of the 150-year-old building. Some events are completely free.
Throughout the summer there are free Monday lunchtime concerts in the Crush Room. Booking is required because of limited space - it opens 10 days before each event.
Every year, two main exhibitions and several smaller ones are held in the front-of-house spaces, again free of charge. Until August 2008 a fascinating display marks the opening of the present theatre, the third on the site, in 1858. It features historic names like Queen Victoria's favourite singer Adelina Patti, Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, and ballerinas Anna Pavlova and Margot Fonteyn. Photographs, playbills, posters and costumes bring the ROH's history to life. Check front of house opening times (usually 10 am - 3.30 pm) by calling +44 (0)20 7212 4000.
Accessible Art and Culture
Those who want to learn more about the life of the ROH can book for talks, workshops and even afternoon tea dances. Recently, ballerina Violette Verdy talked about her career as a dancer and teacher, impresario Lilian Hochhauser described 50 years of bringing Russian performers to the West, and tenor Jonas Kaufmann discussed his repertoire. There was even a Tosca singalong session with the ROH's Chorus and its Assistant Director. Cost is around £10, less for students.
Tour the House
The ROH building is a star in its own right, home to the Royal Ballet and Royal Opera. With three centuries of theatre tradition behind it, it's a wonderful place to tour. You can book a place on one of the 90 minute tours, held daily except Sunday, for £9. Because the programmes and rehearsal schedules are constantly changing, every tour is unique, but you might see the huge auditorium, look at the state-of-the-art technology used backstage, or peek into a Royal Ballet class. Your guide will tell you all about the history of the building, its recent redevelopment, and give you an overview of current shows.
Beyond the House
You can see the ROH in action without even visiting London. Podcasts, YouTube clips and its own FaceBook site are the latest ways this amazing arts centre reaches out to new audiences.
The ROH Education unit also presents workshops and tours in communities all over Britain, with dedicated productions for children of all ages and for people with mental and physical challenges.
For those who can't visit, the ROH Shop offers DVDs and CDs of great performances, gifts and memorabilia, all to buy online.
If you're planning a visit to London, don't miss the chance to see just how lively, fascinating and full of creative ideas one stately old building can be. The Royal Opera House is for anyone who loves history, theatre, music and creativity. Go along and let yourself be surprised!
