orzak - the beatrix potter is a great video suggestion - onstage it's a touch boring, i'm afraid (even ashton never liked it onstage, i believe)...have you seen/got ashton's 'The Dream' on video, or is it balanchine's version? i would like a video copy of ashton's dream, but have never seen one....<P>

Hello Grace - yes, I have "The Dream" with Anthony Dowell, and Merl Park - the complete ballet. I taped it from a television program in 1979. I used the tape many times as an example for my students, of a man dancing on pointe. Also, of humor in the ballet. People tend to think the ballet is always soooooooooo serious. <P>I have heard many varied comments about the "Tales of Beatrix Potter", but silly woman that I am, I liked it. The idea of a food fight on pointe really captivated me!! (Guess I always wanted to do that) Basheva

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>a food fight on pointe<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Sounds captivating to me too!

Another ballet that is suitable, and fun, for children is Cinderella. Depending on the production the step-sisters are sometimes portrayed as comedic roles. This was certainly true of the Frederick Ashton version for Royal Ballet. The step-sisters were danced by men (in absurd costumes) - and I believe that in the first version Ashton, himself, danced one of the step-sister roles.<P>It sometimes comes as a surprise to people, that the ballet can be humorous!! Dancers like to laugh, too!! In addition to "Tales of Beatrice Potter" (my husband liked that one too), "Cinderella", "The Dream", there is also "Mistake Waltz" which is, I believe by Balanchine.

And the other Ugly Sister was Helpmann. He and Ashton relived on-stage many years of rivalry and (not a little) spite, by all accounts.