It isn’t often you can say you are popping out to the cinema to watch a classical opera or ballet but throughout December you will be able to do just that, writes Andy Bloss.

Performances of famous operas and ballets will be available in towns and cities across the UK with the launch of Vue Cinemas’ biggest season of Vue Classical screenings to date at 35 locations including Croydon.

The cinema chain will screen performances by the Royal Opera House, recorded or broadcast live from London’s Covent Garden and the MET Opera from New York.

It will give culture vultures and newcomers the chance to see famous classical productions, such as The Nutcracker, Le Boheme and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, for a fraction of the usual cost..

Dave Pearce, film programmer of Vue Entertainment, says: "We are immensely proud to be bringing the Royal Opera House and MET’s performances to cinemas across the UK, providing people with an affordable and convenient way to enjoy this amazing art form, especially for people outside of London.

"After the success of previous screenings with the Royal Opera House and The Metropolitan Opera, we are sure that audiences will be as excited as we are to see these magical performances, from the epic scale of Les Troyens and magical wonder of The Nutcracker, to the poetic romance and heartbreak of Le Boheme."

Vue Cinema, Purley, The Nutcracker, from the Royal Opera House, Thursday December 13 and La Boheme Thursday January 15. AIDA, from New York’s Metropolitan Opera, Saturday December 15, Prices for the Metropolitan Opera are £20 and for the Royal Opera House, £15.

Go to www.myvue.com/special-events for tickets and more details.