Can opera appeal to children?

Opera can be quite intimidating for adults - so the idea of taking a child may seem daunting.

But The Royal Opera House, external is trying to change this by staging a new production which they hope will appeal to children as much as to their parents.

How the Whale Became by composer Julian Philips and librettist Edward Kemp, is based on Ted Hughes's well-loved story collection The Dreamfighter and Other Creation Tales.

Designer Tom Scutt has transformed The Linbury Studio Theatre into a magical world where singers and musicians bring the characters to life.

BBC News spoke to director Natalie Abrahami and some children in the audience.

Video Journalists: Alex Stanger, Susannah Reid and Claudia Redmond.