The ballet that left children cowering in terror

Billed as "a magical introduction to ballet", an adaptation of children's favourite Angelina Ballerina looked like an ideal treat.

There was a buzz of excitement in the theatre as scores of little girls, many dressed in pink tutus like their fictional heroine, waited for the curtain to rise.

But shortly after the show began many were having second thoughts.

Scenes featuring a baby being snatched by a black-clad villain, a ballerina stabbed in the stomach by a pin from a spinning wheel and a ghost appearing as the lights were dimmed sent children cowering behind the seats.

Others started sobbing and buried their heads in their mothers' laps.

Afterwards, many parents complained that the English National Ballet performance was unsuitable for small children, although publicity for the show said it would "enchant' three-year-olds upwards.

Clare Gardner, 40, who took her five-year-old daughter Georgi to one of the opening matinees at Wimbledon Theatre in south-west London, said the adaptation bore little resemblance to the Angelina Ballerina books.

"I chose this production because my daughter loves the books and thought this would be an ideal way to introduce her to ballet," she said.

"But it was totally unsuitable for its target audience. My little girl was terrified.

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Terrified: Five-year-old Georgi Gardner was taken to the matinee by her mother Clare

"The baby-snatching scene was totally inappropriate for three-year-olds - especially in the current climate after Madeleine McCann's disappearance.

"When the ballerina was stabbed with the spinning wheel pin everyone gasped - no one was sure if she had been murdered or not."

Angelina Ballerina is a fictional mouse who dreams of becoming a famous ballerina, created by author Katharine Holabird.

The first illustrated book was published in 1982 and there are now 20 of them.

It is the first time the series has been adapted for the stage. The ballet, which is based on the story of Sleeping Beauty, opened last weekend in Wimbledon and is currently showing in Sunderland, before visiting a further 20 venues around the country.

On the English National Ballet website the show is described as an enchanting production suitable for children aged three and upwards and "a magical introduction to ballet for all ages".

A spokesman for the company said the opening night had been "a resounding success".

She said: "If members of the audience are concerned about any part of the show then I would welcome their comments."