Pride of the ROH
Pride of the ROH
Pride of the ROH
Explore the rich contributions made by the LGBTQ+ icons who have helped shape The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.
Explore the rich contributions made by the LGBTQ+ icons who have helped shape The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.
Explore the rich contributions made by the LGBTQ+ icons who have helped shape The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.
If you have any access requirements for your tour, please contact tours@roh.org.uk after booking so we can deliver the necessary arrangements.
Looking to have this tour as private experience for you and your group? Or perhaps you need this tour run in a different language? We offer bespoke private tours to suit you. Find out more about booking private tours.
When you book a tour you'll also receive one month of RBO Stream for free and 10% off in the Royal Ballet and Opera Shop and Royal Opera House café. Simply show your tour ticket at the till, valid on the day of your tour.
Discover more tours, how to get to the tour venues and in-depth accessibility information.
Background
From the enduring legacy of choreographer Frederick Ashton and composer George Frideric Handel, who challenged traditional gender boundaries, to the vibrant history of queer performers in Covent Garden, this tour immerses you in the transformative moments that have advanced LGBTQ+ representation in the performing arts.
Discover the trailblazing figures who have been part of the Royal Ballet and Opera’s history; the first female composer to be awarded a damehood in England, a proud lesbian who defied gender norms in music, and the ballerina whose career faced upheaval after performing a masculine character in drag. Delve into riveting tales like Rudolph Nureyev’s dramatic 1961 defection from Russia and his legendary partnership with Dame Margot Fonteyn.
During this 75-minute tour, explore how composers and choreographers have pushed the boundaries of gender roles on stage for centuries, from cross-dressing characters in ballets to the enduring tradition of trouser roles in operas.
Join us for the Pride of the Royal Opera House Tour, a celebration of the enduring spirit of innovation and creativity championed by LGBTQ+ icons past, present and future.
—
The meeting point for this tour is the Ground Floor cloakroom of the Royal Opera House. This tour is available all year round. New dates are added on a rolling basis. Please check back in the coming months for updated availability.
Find out more important information about your tour.
As the Royal Opera House is a working theatre each tour provides a unique experience and content may vary according to what spaces are available on the day.
Important information about your tour
- The meeting point for this tour is the Ground Floor cloakroom of the Royal Opera House.
- Latecomers will not be admitted.
- We may be using headsets on our tours, so you don’t miss any important information from our guides. All equipment is fully sanitised after each tour. You can use your own headphones if you wish. Please note headphones need to have a standard jack connection to be used with our devices.
- Contact-free bag checks will be in operation when you enter the building.
Accessibility
The Royal Opera House is a large building with long corridors and many stairs. You are required to walk distances and stand for the duration of the tour. Where possible, we can facilitate stops in the tour where you can sit. This cannot be guaranteed.
All tours are fully accessible to wheelchair users, those with reduced mobility or other disabilities. To have the right support in place for you, please contact boxoffice.access@roh.org.uk after booking so we can deliver the necessary access arrangements for your visit.
Donate
The Royal Ballet and Opera is a charity and relies on your support. No matter the size, every gift is critical to our work and helps us to secure the future of ballet and opera.
Your donation will enable us to keep extraordinary work on our stages, inspire the next generation and support the Royal Ballet and Opera's community of artists, technicians and craftspeople.
Culture, crafted by contribution
Be the first to know
Sign up to hear the latest Royal Ballet and Opera news, receive ticket alerts, and discover how to support us.
Sign up to hear the latest Royal Ballet and Opera news, receive ticket alerts, and discover how to support us.
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)