Review: Royal Opera House, Behind The Scenes Tour

Whilst the lyrics “Living in a material world/And I am a material girl” have been burnt onto our cultural consciousness, the consensus these days is that a good experience trump material gifts. So, if you’re still undecided (and you can be forgiven because there’s ample time yet) on what to get that cherished someone for Christmas this year, may I suggest, my reformed Barbie 2.0s, that you look no further. For what could possibly cause more excitement than the prospect of discovering what lies behind the original 19th century structure of the Royal Opera House?

As I waltz into the lobby, I'm greeted by the living embodiment the enthusiastic actor stereotype, with vibes so over the top that I wonder if I’ve walked through the wrong door. Have I signed up for a behind-the-scenes pantomime on steroids?  

The tour gets you VIP access to the costume store, where you can gawk over preliminary designs and sterilising units (because even garments need their spa days).

But hold your judgment! I soon realise my initial assumption was about as accurate as a weather forecast in a fishbowl. Our host, the dramatist extraordinaire, is not just a performer; he's the maestro of storytelling. By the end of the tour, I'm convinced his lively hands and oratorical flair are fuelled by a genuine passion for the site's history, not some repressed urge to audition for Broadway. Who knew a tour guide could be so entertaining? Move over, Hollywood—I've found my historical hype-man!

Embarking on this tour is akin to sipping on a delicious cocktail mixed from just the right ingredients. It’s equal parts interactive escapades and enlightening facts about the Royal Opera House's dramatic history (did you know it's had more fire incidents than a pyromaniac's barbecue party? The 1856 incident involved an aristocrat, fireworks, and an auditorium— classic).

If that's still not enough, we get to ogle at a principal ballerina practicing in the studio

The tour gets you VIP access to the costume store, where you can gawk over preliminary designs and sterilising units (because even garments need their spa days). It's an haute couture adventure. But wait, there's more! How about an exclusive sneak peek of their upcoming show, straight from the stage? It's like the theatre version of a movie trailer, only with more skill and less popcorn. If that's still not enough, we get to ogle at a principal ballerina practicing in the studio, under the watchful eye of a seasoned veteran whose enduring grace is jaw-droppingly impressive.

As the grand finale, we emerge from the tour's magical rabbit hole, a.k.a. the gift shop, feeling like the Pevensie children stumbling out of Narnia. Ours was a diverse group—different ages, nationalities, and backgrounds—all sporting the same gleeful expression, proving that the tour has this uncanny ability to enchant beyond boundaries. Of course, this gift shop encore is carefully premeditated to get you forking out for tea towels and fridge magnets that are absurdly pretty… but I’m not mad.

 For more information and bookings, please visit the Royal Opera House’s website.