Paul Hamlyn Christmas Treat
Each year, thanks to the generosity of the Helen Hamlyn Trust, we invite an audience of people who have never experienced ballet or opera at the Royal Opera House to fill our Main Stage auditorium.
On 9th December 2023, we are delighted to welcome families to the the first ever relaxed performance to take place on our Main Stage. This will be a performance of the magical ballet, The Nutcracker.
A relaxed performance means that the day is geared towards neurodiverse people and others with access requirements to whom a relaxed performance would be beneficial. Performances are adapted in several ways to lower anxiety and create an inclusive and supportive environment, such as providing chill-out zones and embracing audience noise.
Tickets for the Paul Hamlyn Christmas Treat can be purchased by those signed up to the Royal Opera House Access Scheme. Make sure that you have signed in first. Once you have signed in, click on the link below to book. Find out more about accessibility at the Royal Opera House and how to sign up to the Access Scheme on our dedicated Accessibility Page.
Visual Story Guides for The Nutcracker
You can view or download a Visual Story [PDF, 23.7 MB], a Visual Guide (Long Version) [PDF, 20.6 MB] and a Visual Guide (short version) [PDF, 14.5 MB] for more information about The Nutcracker and the Royal Opera House.
“The Paul Hamlyn Christmas Treat is all about welcoming audiences, who, for whatever reason have not had the opportunity to enjoy a performance in the main house at the Royal Opera House. This year is another special year when we are delighted to welcome families to the first ever relaxed performance to take place on the Main Stage, a performance of the magical ballet,The Nutcracker. My Trust first welcomed new audiences in 1986 and I look forward to sharing this special performance, adapted for neurodiverse people and others who will receive a warm welcome at the Royal Opera House.”
The Paul Hamlyn Christmas Treat has previously welcomed National Federation of Women’s Institutes, Girlguiding UK and a network of arts and health charities. We have also welcomed an audience of teachers and their families to the Royal Opera House. For the past two years we have been honoured to dedicate the Paul Hamlyn Christmas Treat to NHS staff as part of our ROH Thanks the NHS programme, a show of appreciation for the incredible work of NHS staff throughout the pandemic and beyond.
The Paul Hamlyn Christmas Treat is generously supported by The Helen Hamlyn Trust, in memory of the late Paul Hamlyn. Please direct any questions about the Paul Hamlyn Christmas Treat to the Community Engagement Team by emailing welcomeperformances@roh.org.uk
Find out more information about The Helen Hamlyn Trust.
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)