London Children's Ballet facts for kids

The London Children's Ballet (LCB) is a special group that helps kids experience dancing in a professional ballet show. It started in 1994 and is a registered charitable trust. This means it's a non-profit organization that does good work for the community. LCB gives children from all kinds of backgrounds the chance to perform in a full-length ballet. The best part is, this amazing experience is completely free for the dancers!

LCB puts on big shows every year at the Peacock Theatre in the West End. This area is London's main theatre district. They create brand new ballets, and tickets for these shows sell out every year. LCB also does smaller projects. They have "£1 outreach matinees" so more people can watch a ballet without spending a lot. Plus, LCB2 is a touring group that visits places like hospitals, community centers, and schools. This way, people who can't go to the theatre can still enjoy a ballet performance.

How to Join LCB

If you want to dance in an LCB show, you first need to attend an audition. This helps LCB see if you're a good fit for their productions. If you're chosen, you'll have weekly rehearsals on Sundays. This is great because it means you can still go to school during the week!

Summer School Fun

LCB also hosts an annual summer school. It lasts for one week and welcomes about 100 children. During the summer school, kids take part in many different workshops. They learn Ballet and other dance styles like Jazz and Choreography (which is about creating dance moves). Older children even go on a special one-day tour. They perform their summer school show for elderly people in homes around London.

Behind the Scenes

LCB also helps new artists get started. They give recently graduated composers (who write music), choreographers (who create dances), and designers (who make costumes and sets) a chance to work on their productions. Many of these talented people come from the Wimbledon College of Art.

Past Performances

Every year, LCB performs new ballets based on classic children's stories. Here are some of their past shows:

• 2018 The Canterville Ghost
• 2017 The Secret Garden (a shorter version)
• 2016 Little Lord Fauntleroy
• 2015 Snow White
• 2014 Nanny McPhee
• 2013 The Secret Garden
• 2012 A Little Princess
• 2011 Rumpelstiltskin
• 2010 Ballet Shoes
• 2009 Snow White
• 2008 Jane Eyre
• 2007 The Secret Garden
• 2006 The Scarlet Pimpernel
• 2005 The Canterville Ghost
• 2004 A Little Princess
• 2003 Prince and the Pauper
• 2002 Faithful Gelert
• 2001 Ballet Shoes
• 2000 The Last Battle
• 1998 Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris
• 1997 Jane Eyre
• 1996 Faithful Gelert
• 1995 A Little Princess
• 1994 The Happy Prince

History

Lucille Briance started the LCB in 1994. Her daughter wanted to audition for dance schools, but Lucille felt she was too young. She looked for another option but couldn't find a dance company for children that let them perform while still going to school. So, Lucille decided to create her own! That's how the LCB began.

They hired a choreographer and advertised for auditions. Kids from many different communities joined. After their first season, LCB hired a composer and started creating brand new ballets. These shows were made for the whole family to enjoy. The very first new ballet LCB performed was The Happy Prince. It was a huge success and sold out!