26 JULY 1997, Page 27

Ballet for all

Sir: Why is the Royal Opera House always on the defensive? Just because the tabloids accuse it of being elitist does not mean it is.

On one recent Saturday I saw four ballets with half a dozen of the best dancers any- where in the world. The audience was a fair mixture, certainly no more elitist than at Wimbledon, or indeed Glastonbury where tickets were considerably more expensive without the pleasure of being seated in the most beautiful of theatres.

Michael White

M.W. Entertainments Limited, 48 Dean Street, London W1