Did you know that the dance studio where the Royal Opera House ballet dancers rehearse is the same size as the stage in the main auditorium?

That was just one fact I learned on a behind-the-scenes tour I recently took of this iconic theatre.

The tour, which was brilliantly delivered, provided insight into the complex logistics that are required to enable performances to take place.

And the people that make it happen.

The working hours can be so unsociable. It got me wondering how hard it is to strike a balance between work and other things in life when this is your workplace. Would your love of ballet, opera, the arts, theatre override the challenges that come with working such unsociable hours? Would you compromise your earning potential to work amongst such talent and beauty? Would it be a worthwhile price to pay?

When I interviewed a surgeon on the blog a while ago, he reflected quite positively about the unsociable hours he worked, which he says were balanced out with having sporadic time at home during the week, making him available for childcare, domestic tasks and some time to himself. This was, of course, only possible because his wife was the primary carer of their children.

How do people who are primary care-givers manage to maintain their balance when working in jobs that require commitment at unsociable hours? Is this yet another example of a “motherhood penalty”?

Lots to think about as the week winds to a close.

I’d love to hear from anyone that works, or has worked, in an environment like this to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their work-life balance story. If that sounds like you, or someone you know, and you’d like to share your perspective on the blog or podcast, you can get in touch in the usual ways.

Meanwhile, happy weekend all, be it a sociable or unsociable one for you!