English National Ballet

English National Ballet Opening up the possibilities of ballet, to move more people in more ways. English National Ballet has a long and distinguished history.
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Founded in 1950 as London Festival Ballet by the great English dancers Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, it has been at the forefront of ballet’s growth and evolution ever since. English National Ballet brings world class ballet to the widest possible audience through performances across the UK and on eminent international stages; its distinguished orchestra, English National Ballet Philharmonic; it

s digital platforms; as a leader in creative learning and engagement practice, building innovative partnerships to deliver flagship programmes such as Dance for Parkinson’s; and through talent development initiatives including Ballet Futures which looks to create a more diverse future for the artform. English National Ballet continues to add ground-breaking new works to its repertoire whilst celebrating the tradition of great classical ballet, gaining acclaim for artistic excellence and creativity. 2019 saw the Company enter a new chapter with a move to a purpose-built state-of-the-art home in east London, allowing a renewed commitment to creativity, ambition, and connection to more people, near and far, than ever before.

Before the lights, before the audience - this is where it begins. Take a first look at our dancers preparing for their d...
23/08/2026

Before the lights, before the audience - this is where it begins. Take a first look at our dancers preparing for their debuts in the title roles of Nureyev’s Romeo & Juliet.
 
🩰 Katja Khaniukova & Daniel McCormick, Emma Hawes & Aitor Arrieta
 
📍 From 15 Oct Liverpool Empire Theatre , Palace Theatre & Opera House Manchester Manchester, Mayflower Theatre Southampton & London Coliseum 
📸 Isabella Turolla ⚡️📸
UK Tour Sponsor: Cunard Cunard

We're delighted to be joined by three fantastic stagers - Manuel Legris, Elisabeth Maurin and Clotilde Vayer - supportin...
21/08/2026

We're delighted to be joined by three fantastic stagers - Manuel Legris, Elisabeth Maurin and Clotilde Vayer - supporting our dancers during rehearsals for Rudolf Nureyev's Romeo & Juliet. Their insight, drawn from their own experience performing the ballet, has been invaluable🩰

Manuel Legris - former Danseur Étoile of Paris Opera Ballet and Artistic Director of Wiener Staatsballett and Teatro alla Scala Ballet. He first danced Romeo aged 20, in Nureyev's original 1985 staging.

Elisabeth Maurin - debuted as Juliet in 1985 opposite Manuel Legris as Romeo, going on to dance the role six times through to 2005. Now a celebrated répétiteur, she's staged the ballet with us in 2015, 2017 and 2026.

Clotilde Vayer - trained at the Paris Opera School from age 8, dancing iconic Nureyev roles including Odette and Lady Capulet. She went on to become Maître de Ballet Associé à la Direction and later Director of Ballet at Teatro di San Carlo. She was recently awarded France's National Order of Merit.

It's been a privilege having all three guide our dancers in the studio🌹

20/08/2026

Jae Man Joo continues to shape Auguries of Innocence ahead of its world premiere at Rhythm Riot. Every rehearsal brings something new, making way for more emotion, musicality, and expression.

📍 From 24 September Sadler's Wells
🎟️ Secure your tickets: https://www.ballet.org.uk/production/rhythm-riot/

19/08/2026

A free day of discovery, dance and behind-the-scenes access! 👋
This September, join us for Open House Festival 2026 at the Mulryan Centre for Dance in East London.

💭 What to expect? 💭

Watch our professional dancers in class and rehearsal, explore our award-winning building, get up close to costumes, discover the history and heritage of English National Ballet in exhibitions, meet our artists, and get involved in dance workshops, exhibitions, wig and make-up demonstrations, arts and crafts, and more.

From ballet classes to a Bhangra Ceilidh, Company class to building tours and more, there’s something for all ages. Come and experience the magic, creativity and people behind the Company.

Some of our events are drop-in only while others must be booked in advance.

Click here to find out more: ballet.org.uk/production/open-house-festival-2026/

📅 Sat 19 Sep
🕙10am–5pm
📍Mulryan Centre for Dance, East London
🎟️Free entry

17/08/2026

Chance encounters ⚡

💡 Exploring how we’re all connected through movement, first-year students Toby and Pilar from English National Ballet School share their choreography journey and what it’s like to collaborate with their peers to create brand-new work.

Taking to the stage at Re-Play, our community performance platform, the students had the opportunity to create, perform, and bring their ideas to life, proving that the future of dance is looking very bright 🌟

What do Taylor Swift, zombies, and a jewellery collection by Van Cleef & Arpels all have in common? Romeo & Juliet, of c...
16/08/2026

What do Taylor Swift, zombies, and a jewellery collection by Van Cleef & Arpels all have in common?

Romeo & Juliet, of course💍

Read our latest blog on how Shakespeare's famed couple paved the way for countless modern interpretations.

🔗 Read more : https://www.ballet.org.uk/blog/romeo-juliet-pop-culture/

📷Top: Taylor Swift Elizabeth Taylor Single Cover
🎨Middle: 'Romeo and Juliet' painted by Frank Bernard Dicksee
📷Bottom: The Rumble from West Side Story 1957 ©️ Fred Fehl

14/08/2026

What happens when you mic up choreographer Jae Man Joo? Well you're in for a treat...

Hear the guidance and insight from Joo during rehearsals for his world premiere of Auguries of Innocence, soon to be performed at our triple bill Rhythm Riot.

Our takeaway? We're all different, and that's where the magic happens ✨

📍 From 24 September Sadler's Wells
🎟️ https://www.ballet.org.uk/production/rhythm-riot/

13/08/2026

What does freedom look like on stage?

For Micaela Taylor, it's Bow Out - vitality, groove and self-expression - closing our new triple bill, Rhythm Riot, in style ✨🎶

Hear from Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin on the essence of the piece.

📍 Sadler's Wells from 24 September
🎟️ Book tickets: https://www.ballet.org.uk/production/rhythm-riot/

12/08/2026

Inspiring the next generation 🌟

Recently, we welcomed an incredible group of young dancers into the studio for our Intermediate Summer Intensive! 🎭

💡 From learning alongside industry artists and English National Ballet Company Dancers, to exploring new dance styles, developing their technique, and pushing their creativity they explored new ways to move, create and express themselves!

Take a look inside the studio and see what they got up to 📸

Address

41 Hopewell Square
London
E140SY

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+442075811245

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