YOUNG CANBERRANS will benefit from the Australian Ballet’s newly-announced program “Storytime Ballet”, designed specifically for children.

The company, supported by Telstra, has created a brand new production of “The Sleeping Beauty” ballet and this first ballet in the series will tour nationally to introduce children across the country to the world of ballet.

Aimed at children aged three years old and up, the Ballet has had young people in mind in planning a live and interactive show under an hour in length and performed by dancers from The Australian Ballet. Kids will have the opportunity to learn about ballet in pre-show activities and will be encouraged to dress up in their favourite ballet-inspired outfits.

The Australian Ballet’s executive director Libby Christie, said the project was created in response to the popularity of the company’s programs for children.

Children will follow the well-known story of a sleeping princess and a prince searching for his true love. They will watch as Princess Aurora wanders the woods and meets her friends Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and the Big Bad Wolf. The large-scale, elegant production will be packed with dazzling dancing, sparkling tutus and Tchaikovsky’s music.

STORYTIME BALLET: “The Sleeping Beauty tour”, at The Playhouse, January 20 – 23, booking sot canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.