English National Ballet announce: A Season to ‘Feel More’ 2026-2027

English National Ballet have today announced their 2026-2027 season, with a powerful message about the possibilities of ballet and offering more ways to discover, feel and engage with ballet, on stage and beyond.

English National Ballet’s Artistic Director, Aaron S. Watkin, said:

“Dance has the emotional power to move, creating space for multiple perspectives, reactions and experiences. Our 2026-2027 season offers a range of opportunities. We’re inviting audiences to ‘feel more’ through thought-provoking new works, much-loved classics, and creative learning, participation and digital programmes that reach more people, in more ways.”

The season kicks off in September at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, with Rhythm Riot (24 September – 3 October 2026), a dynamic new triple bill comprising two world premieres and a Company debut. The programme opens with George Balanchine’s Symphony in Three Movements, originally created for New York City Ballet in 1972. Performed by English National Ballet for the first time, the piece showcases the brilliance of Balanchine’s neo-classical style to full effect. 32 dancers perform the ballet’s three movements in a vibrant display of virtuosity, musicality and control, set to Stravinsky’s electrifying score, played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic.

The bill is completed by two world premieres: the UK debut of Jae Man Joo and a new work from rising choreographic talent Micaela Taylor. Korean-born choreographer Jae Man Joo, recipient of the 2009 Princess Grace Choreographer Award, creates Auguries of Innocence, drawing on William Blake’s profound poem of the same name. Micaela Taylor’s Bow Out closes the programme. Inspired by the 1930s jazz era and scene-sensations the Nicholas Brothers, Taylor brings a pulsing new work to English National Ballet’s repertoire. 

In Autum 2026, the company will tour Rudolf Nureyev’s Romeo & Juliet. This signature reimagining of one of the world’s greatest love stories travels to Liverpool’s Empire Theatre (15 - 17 October 2026), Manchester’s Palace Theatre (21 - 25 October 2026), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (3 - 5 December 2026), and the London Coliseum (14 - 24 January 2027), where it first premiered in 1977. 

Renowned for its compelling drama and exhilarating choreography, Nureyev’s production is brought to life with gorgeous sets and costumes by Ezio Frigerio and Franca Squarciapino. Sergei Prokofiev’s breathtaking score is played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic, conducted by Music Director Maria Seletskaja, Principal Guest Conductor Gavin Sutherland and Benjamin Pope.

The Nutcracker returns to the London Coliseum (17 December 2026 - 10 January 2027), choreographed by Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin and Olivier Award-winner Arielle Smith, and in spring 2027, Johan Inger’s award-winning Carmen returns to the company’s repertoire with performances at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London (7 - 17 April 2027), before touring nationally for the first time to the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (22 - 24 April 2027). 

For younger audiences, English National Ballet and English National Ballet School travel to towns and cities across the country with My First Ballet: Cinderella. This magical introduction to ballet is choreographed by George Williamson, with designs by Rachael Canning and lighting design by Stevie Mackie. Featuring a narrator to guide the audience, the production makes ballet accessible for children as young as three.

The national tour opens at the New Theatre, Oxford (6 - 7 February 2027), with further dates at the Grand Opera House, York (13 - 14 February 2027), Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury (16 - 17 February 2027), Opera House, Manchester (20 - 21 February 2027), and Peacock Theatre, London (25 March – 3 April 2027), with further dates to be announced. London dates include sensory adapted and BSL-interpreted performances, touch tour and visual story guides as part of the My First Inclusive Ballet programme, alongside family workshops offering more ways for audiences to connect with ballet.

English National Ballet’s 2026-2027 season closes with performances of Derek Deane’s spectacular Swan Lake in-the-round, marking its 30^th anniversary. and showing from 16 – 27 June 2027 at the Royal Albert Hall.

This season the company welcome world-class talent to perform with the company: Associate Guest Artist Ksenia Ovsyanick (former English National Ballet Soloist and Staatsballett Berlin Principal) in Rhythm Riot and Romeo & Juliet (London Coliseum); Paris Opera Ballet Étoile and two-time Prix Benois de la Danse winner Hugo Marchand in Romeo & Juliet (London Coliseum); and Associate Guest Artist Davi Ramos, First Soloist with The Australian Ballet, in Nutcracker. 

We are also delighted to continue welcoming our Associate Guest Repetiteur, Cynthia Harvey, along with Guest Repetiteurs Stephanie Arndt, Yannick Boquin, Manuel Legris, Elisabeth Maurin, and Alejandro Parente, giving our dancers the opportunity to work with a diverse range of artistic voices and expertise.

Through English National Ballet’s engagement, creative learning and participation, we connect with tens of thousands of adults, children and young people each year - in schools, on tour and in our local communities. Our sector leading Dance for Parkinson’s and Dance for Dementia are based at our studios and extend across the UK and online. My First Inclusive Ballet in schools and family hubs widens opportunities to feel inspired and unlock creativity. At the Mulryan Centre for Dance, activity includes youth dance development through Summer Intensives, ENBYouthCo-nnect and ENBYouthCo, Shared Ground artist support, our annual dance showcase Re-Play, Open House and Dance Classes for All.

Ballet Futures continues work to create a more inclusive, equitable and artistically rich art form. The programme supports young dancers from historically underrepresented backgrounds - particularly those of African Diaspora, Caribbean, South Asian and Southeast Asian heritage - through sustained training, mentorship and professional development. Students also benefit from performance opportunities with the company and wider artistic partners. 

The Company’s digital content, channels, and platforms bring ballet to audiences anywhere, anytime. BalletActive offers subscribers hundreds of online classes, while Ballet on Demand streams much-loved productions, which in 2026-2027 will include Aaron S. Watkin and Arielle Smith’s critically acclaimed Nutcracker. A new co-production partnership with Marquee TV will expand the Company’s digital reach, with world-class performances and behind-the-scenes content available through the subscription service for audiences across the globe.

View the trailer for English National Ballet’s 2026-2027 Season here: