English National Ballet – Autumn 2025
The company’s autumn season starts in October at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, with R:Evolution – a celebration of four visionary dance innovators.
The programme opens with works from two of the most influential choreographers of the twentieth century, both created in 1940’s New York: George Balanchine’s dazzling showcase of virtuosity, Theme and Variations, and Martha Graham’s visceral Errand into the Maze, a company premiere marking the first performance of her work by English National Ballet.
Audiences will then be treated to the 1990’s classic Herman Schmerman (Quintet) by the legendary choreographer William Forsythe, who drew inspiration from both these visionaries and continued to propel ballet into the twenty-first-century.
Fast forward to present day and the work of David Dawson who is credited with evolving the artform through his physical and emotional choreographic language. This is epitomised by Dawson’s Four Last Songs, created in 2023 for English National Ballet.
The music for three of the works – by Tchaikovsky, Menotti and Richard Strauss – will be performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic conducted by Music Director, Maria Seletskaja, with soprano Madeleine Pierard singing Strauss’s masterwork.
Aaron S. Watkin, Artistic Director of English National Ballet said: ‘R:Evolution celebrates the rich lineage of four visionary choreographers, who have revolutionised ballet through decades of innovation. This programme will showcase a dynamic thread of creative evolution with works that have the power to ignite emotions. I can’t wait for our wonderful artists to share these.’
Honouring its commitment to the great tradition of classical ballet, the company will present Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s The Sleeping Beauty – a signature production, performed exclusively by English National Ballet, from one of Britain’s most celebrated choreographers. This timeless fairytale will tour to venues around the UK including Liverpool’s Empire Theatre (22-25 October 2025), Manchester’s Palace Theatre (19-22 November) and Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (26-29 November). It features stunning sets and costumes by legendary designers Nicholas Georgiadis and Peter Farmer. Tchaikovsky’s breathtaking score is played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic conducted by Maria Seletskaja, Dominic Grier and Kingsley Lin.
With its extensive Engagement programme English National Ballet continues to be a leader in creative health, learning and participation practice.
Throughout autumn, our varied events include Ballet Club holiday activities for children and families resident in Newham and Tower Hamlets, east London; Shared Ground, offering a valuable platform for artist development through free studio space and incubator labs; and ENBYouthCo, who welcome a new company of talented young dancers from September.
Alongside this, English National Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s, an evidence-based programme delivered nationally with its hub partners, and Dance for Dementia and Dancing East with Linkage Plus will provide creative health interventions that contribute to better health and well-being through artistry, creativity and community. The company will also host Centre Stage events in London and open door events on tour.
English National Ballet’s 2025-2026 season will be announced in full in due course.
On-sale Information: The Sleeping Beauty in Southampton opens for priority booking to Friends/ Members on Thursday 20 February 2025, with General booking open from Friday 21 February 2025.
The Sleeping Beauty in Liverpool and Manchester opens for priority booking to Friends/ Members on Wednesday 26 February 2025, with General booking open from Thursday 27 February 2025.
Tickets for R:Evolution will be available in spring 2025.
For more information and to book tickets CLICK HERE.
Previous recent news
English National Ballet’s 75th Season
- World premiere of English National Ballet’s new production of Nutcracker choreographed by Artistic Director, Aaron S. Watkin and Arielle Smith
- The Forsythe Programme to be performed at Sadler’s Wells, featuring the world premiere of a new work created for English National Ballet by William Forsythe
- Akram Khan’s Giselle returns to London for the first time since 2019
- English National Ballet marks its 75th Season with a free, 10-day digital celebration
- Extensive programme of Engagement work offered alongside performances
English National Ballet is thrilled to announce plans for its 75th Season, running from September 2024 – June 2025. Featuring two world premieres, a Company premiere and the return of audience favourites, English National Ballet’s 75th Season celebrates tradition whilst forging innovation – an ethos that has shaped the Company’s rich history and will inspire its future.
Artistic Director of English National Ballet, Aaron S. Watkin, said: ‘In this, English National Ballet’s 75th Season, we will be celebrating the myriad ways that ballet can excite, entertain, and inspire. Be it the renewal of a beloved classic with our new Nutcracker, cherished revivals, or a return to the ground-breaking works of Akram Khan and William Forsythe – this is a season that showcases the many wonderful things that ballet can offer.
I am thrilled that English National Ballet continues to attract world-class creative talent. I can’t wait to have Arielle Smith and William Forsythe back in our studios to create work and I know our dancers will be inspired by their presence.
Finally, its hugely important to me that we welcome as many people as possible to celebrate our 75th Season with us. I am therefore delighted that we will be presenting a free digital celebration that will enable us to connect with ballet fans and new audiences alike, all around the world.’
Having been seen by over 156,000 people in ten countries and 16 cities around the world, Akram Khan’s Giselle opens English National Ballet’s 2024/2025 Season with a return to London (Sadler’s Wells) for the first time since 2019. In this acclaimed reimagining of the iconic ballet, Khan tells a story of love, betrayal, and redemption. The production features an imposing set designed by Academy Award-winner Tim Yip and a powerful score by Vincenzo Lamagna.
Offering audiences the opportunity to see two versions of one of the great Romantic ballets in the same season, Mary Skeaping’s Giselle, will also be performed, touring to the Liverpool Empire and Manchester’s Palace Theatre in the autumn, before returning to the London Coliseum in January 2025. With its beautiful classical language and thoughtful staging, this Giselle features some of ballet’s most dramatic scenes and otherworldly images.
Christmas 2024 will see the world premiere of a new production of the classic festive ballet, Nutcracker, choreographed by English National Ballet’s Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin and Olivier Award-winning choreographer Arielle Smith. The production will take audiences on a fantastical adventure as they join Clara on her journey of discovery, from Edwardian London to the Land of Sweets & Delights. Nutcracker is bought to life by exquisite dancing, spectacular new costumes and sets by Dick Bird, lighting by Paul Pyant, and Tchaikovsky’s instantly recognisable score played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic.
English National Ballet’s Artistic Director and joint choreographer of Nutcracker, Aaron S. Watkin, said: ‘Nutcracker holds a special place in English National Ballet’s history and in the hearts of our audiences. The Company has performed a version of it every year since it was founded in 1950 and it is an honour to be working with Arielle and Dick, to bring new magic and wonder to this much-loved ballet.’
Continuing the Company’s commitment to UK touring and sharing world-class ballet with the widest possible audience, Nutcracker will receive its world premiere at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre before performances at the London Coliseum. For the first time, English National Ballet will present a relaxed performance of Nutcracker, at the London Coliseum on 9 January 2025. The creation of this new production has been made possible by Charles Holloway, Lead Supporter of Nutcracker.
In spring 2025, English National Ballet returns to Sadler’s Wells, London, with The Forsythe Programme, a triple bill showcasing highlights of master choreographer, William Forsythe’s, broad catalogue of work. Combining ballet classicism and athleticism with the music of Barry White, Natalie Cole and Khalid to name just a few, audience favourite, Playlist (EP) returns alongside New Suite, an arrangement of eight earlier pas de deux set to scores by Händel, Berio and Bach, presented by English National Ballet for the first time. Completing the programme is the world premiere of a new work created for the Company in which Forsythe takes inspiration from the second movement of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.3 in C major Op.26; ‘Tema con Variazioni’.
For younger audiences, English National Ballet and English National Ballet School revive My First Ballet: Swan Lake at Sadler’s Wells’ West End venue, the Peacock Theatre, in April 2025. The perfect introduction to the artform, this is a specially adapted version of the world’s most iconic ballet. Featuring choreography by Antonio Castilla, English National Ballet’s Repetiteur, and with a narrator to guide the audience, the production is accessible to children aged three upwards. The run will also include a relaxed performance as part of the My First Inclusive Ballet outreach programme as well as a series of on-stage family workshops.
In summer 2025, English National Ballet continues its investment in Emerging Talent programmes with the launch of Choreo Labs – a supportive and inspiring environment for Company dancers to develop their skills and explore new choreographic ideas. Open to dancers across the Company, the series will culminate with an in-house sharing session. Choreo Labs is part of English National Ballet’s future commitment to create a wider Emerging Talent performance programme, which will bring together its existing Emerging Dancer event and Choreo Labs.
To mark English National Ballet’s 75th Season, a free, 10-day digital celebration will be presented in June 2025. Showcasing English National Ballet’s past, present and future, ENB@75 will feature performance excerpts filmed especially in the Company’s in-house Holloway Production Studio as well as interviews, archive footage and exclusive behind-the-scenes insight. Recognising the important role digital content plays in engaging and inspiring new audiences, English National Ballet offers this as a free to view event. This will be an inclusive opportunity for online audiences around the world to celebrate with the Company at this significant moment in its history.
2024/2025 marks Music Director, Maria Seletskaja’s, first full season in post. Alongside Principal Guest Conductor, Gavin Sutherland, Seletskaja will conduct English National Ballet Philharmonic for performances of Akram Khan’s Giselle, Mary Skeaping’s Giselle and Nutcracker. Also conducting performances of Nutcracker are Daniel Parkinson and Kingsley Lin.
With its extensive Engagement programme for 2024/2025, English National Ballet continues to be a leader in creative health and learning and participation practice. The Shared Ground Space Scheme and co-curated Ideas Incubation Labs provide valuable platforms for artist development and support. Alongside this, English National Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s, an evidence-based programme delivered nationally via six hub partners, and Dance for Dementia, offer creative health interventions that contribute to better health and well-being through artistry, creativity and community. Insights into the creative industries continue to be offered through our schools programme, Ballet Explored, and there will be celebrations of co-created dance from our youth companies and community performance groups through Re-Play, an annual sharing platform at English National Ballet’s studios. Following its launch in February 2024, the Company’s Ballet Club for children, young people and families resident in Newham, east London, also returns for the 2024/2025 season.
Ballet Futures, English National Ballet’s talent pipeline project to incentivise children from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds (African Diaspora, Caribbean, South Asian and South East Asian heritage) to participate in professional training, continues throughout 2024/2025. Now with over thirty students across five schools nationally, this year will see the inclusion of further performance opportunities for the programme’s participants.
English National Ballet’s plans for international touring will be announced in due course.
On-sale Information:
Mary Skeaping’s Giselle and the new Nutcracker open for priority booking to Friends/Members on Friday 16 February 2024, with general booking open from 21 February 2024.
Tickets for Arkam Khan’s Giselle will be available in spring 2024 and for The Forsythe Programme and My First Ballet: Swan Lake in autumn 2024.
For full details CLICK HERE.
PREVIOUS NEWS
English National Ballet – Emerging Dancer 2024, Sadler’s Wells, London on Friday 24 May, 7.30pm
For more information CLICK HERE
Celebrating the talent of tomorrow’s stars, English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer returns to a live audience at Sadler’s Wells, London this year, on Friday 24 May.
Emerging Dancer recognises the excellence of English National Ballet’s artists. Selected by their peers, six promising dancers showcase their technical accomplishments and artistry in front of an eminent panel of expert judges, before one is named the winner of the Emerging Dancer Award.
The 2024 finalists are: Anna Ciriano, Breanna Foad, Shunhei Fuchiyama, Jose María Lorca Menchón, Thiago Pereira and Anna-Babette Winkler
Aaron S. Watkin, Artistic Director of English National Ballet, said: ‘I am delighted to see the Company coming together to celebrate some of our most talented colleagues. Emerging Dancer spotlights the future of ballet, and it’s always a privilege to watch the nominees shine on stage. I wish the six finalists the best of luck and I truly hope they enjoy the process of learning and growing‘.
This year’s event will be hosted by Aaron S. Watkin, Artistic Director of English National Ballet. The esteemed judging panel comprises: Amanda Britton MA, Chief Executive, Principal and Artistic Director of Rambert School; Monica Zamora, Former Principal Dancer of Birmingham Royal Ballet; Freddie Opoku-Addaie, Artistic Director and CEO of Dance Umbrella; and Edward Watson MBE, Former Principal Dancer of The Royal Ballet.
The event also includes the presentation of the People’s Choice Award, a public vote decided by audience members throughout the season, and the Corps de Ballet Award, given by the Artistic team to an Artist of the Company who has gone above and beyond, both on stage and off.
There will be special performances by previous Emerging Dancer winner Eric Snyder and People’s Choice winner Precious Adams.
Emerging Dancer 2024 will be filmed and made available to stream for free on English National Ballet’s YouTube channel in the week following the event, for a limited time only.
English National Ballet announces appointment of Maria Seletskaja as new Music Director
Maria Seletskaja started her career as a professional ballet dancer performing with leading companies around the world, before making the transition to conductor. She studied music theory, harmony, and orchestration at Berklee College of Music in Boston and during her final years as a dancer, was also an assistant conductor at Stuttgart Ballet where she made her conducting debut in April 2017. Since 2018, Seletskaja has dedicated herself to conducting, working with prestigious ballet companies including The National Ballet of Canada where she was Conductor-in-Residence, San Francisco Ballet, The Royal Danish Ballet and most recently, Paris Opera Ballet, where she conducted Soirée Robbins (review here).
Aaron. S. Watkin, English National Ballet’s Artistic Director, said: ‘Maria’s innate understanding of the art form gives her a unique perspective, which, alongside her energy and intelligence, are a perfect fit for Music Director at English National Ballet. I am excited to work together and look forward to welcoming her to the Company.‘
Maria Seletskaja said: ‘Taking up the position of Music Director at English National Ballet marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in my professional life, which I am thrilled about. I am looking forward to working alongside English National Ballet’s Artistic Director, Aaron Watkin, and sharing my love of music with the wonderful musicians of English National Ballet Philharmonic, the dancers, and of course, our audiences.‘
Working closely with the Artistic Director, the role of Music Director will see Seletskaja oversee the creative direction and quality of music at English National Ballet and English National Ballet Philharmonic, as well as leadership of the Music Department.
Seletskaja will conduct with English National Ballet at performances of Nutcracker and Swan Lake in-the-round in January and June 2024 respectively, before starting her full-time role as Music Director at the beginning of the 2024-2025 Season.
Seletskaja takes over from previous Music Director, Gavin Sutherland, who continues to work with English National Ballet as Principal Guest Conductor.