Youngsters and their teddy bear friends had a great time watching their first ballet and taking part in a special dance workshop.

Norwich Evening News: Children and their teddy bear friends had a great time watching Northern Ballets production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Norwich Theatre Royal and taking part in a special dance workshop. Pictured is Ruby Boucher, four, from Poringland, with her teddy bear Bit. Photo: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal.Children and their teddy bear friends had a great time watching Northern Ballets production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Norwich Theatre Royal and taking part in a special dance workshop. Pictured is Ruby Boucher, four, from Poringland, with her teddy bear Bit. Photo: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal. (Image: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal.)

The children all watched Northern Ballet's children's production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Norwich Theatre Royal yesterday, and ahead of that they took part in a dance workshop in the venue's Stage Two studio.

Philippa Ranger, Northern Ballet's education officer, said the creative dance workshops were for children aged 18 months up to six years and aimed to give them an understanding of the story before they saw the show.

The children were asked to dance like characters from the traditional fairy tale about a little girl with hair as bright as gold and whose curiosity leads her on an adventure at the home of the three bears.

'The workshop is designed to help them engage more with the ballet when they see it,' Philippa said.

Norwich Evening News: Children and their teddy bear friends had a great time watching Northern Ballets production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Norwich Theatre Royal and taking part in a special dance workshop. Pictured is Grace Courtney, six, from Norwich, with her bear Golden Bear. Photo: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal.Children and their teddy bear friends had a great time watching Northern Ballets production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Norwich Theatre Royal and taking part in a special dance workshop. Pictured is Grace Courtney, six, from Norwich, with her bear Golden Bear. Photo: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal. (Image: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal.)

'They are our theatre-goers of the future so we want to encourage them to enjoy it from an early age.

'Most importantly, the workshop allows them to feel they can think of their own movements and be creative.'

And judging from their responses, the children clearly had a great time.

Grace Courtney, six, from Norwich, took along her teddy bear Golden Bear to join in the fun.

Norwich Evening News: Children and their teddy bear friends had a great time watching Northern Ballets production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Norwich Theatre Royal and taking part in a special dance workshop. Photo: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal.Children and their teddy bear friends had a great time watching Northern Ballets production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Norwich Theatre Royal and taking part in a special dance workshop. Photo: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal. (Image: supplied by Norwich Theatre Royal.)

She said 'It was very funny. I liked Philippa and her teddy bear Humphrey.

'I liked pretending to be a baby bear and a sly fox and I liked jumping up and surprising Goldilocks.'

Ruby Boucher, aged four, from Poringland, took her teddy Bit with her. She also liked being the fox the best.

'I have never been to a big ballet before,' she said.

As well as presenting the children's production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears yesterday, Northern Ballet is also in performing the ballet Casanova at Norwich Theatre Royal this week. The final Casanova performances are today at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 630000.

Do you have a Norwich arts story? Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knghts@archant.co.uk