Ballet Shoes

Ballet Shoes photos

Ballet Shoes description

About the Show

In 1930s London, three adopted sisters, Pauline, Petrova and Posy, grow up in a crumbling house full of dinosaur bones and fossils belonging to the palaeontologist Great Uncle Matthew. Cared for by their guardian Sylvia, their nurse Nana and a group of unlikely lodgers, the girls train at Madame Fidolia's dance academy and discover very different ambitions: Pauline for acting, Petrova for flying and Posy for ballet. Together they try to build a future and keep their family together.

Ballet Shoes is based on Noel Streatfeild's 1936 children's novel. The National Theatre production played sold-out seasons in the Olivier Theatre in 2024 and 2025 and now tours the UK, with a London run at Sadler's Wells. It received five-star reviews from The Sunday Times, The i and The Daily Telegraph, and tells its story through drama, dance, illusions and an original score.

Cast and Creatives

The play is adapted by Kendall Feaver (The Almighty Sometimes) and directed by Katy Rudd (The Ocean at the End of the Lane). The creative team includes set designer Frankie Bradshaw, costume designer Samuel Wyer, choreographer Ellen Kane, composer Asaf Zohar and lighting designer Paule Constable.

Anton Du Beke (Strictly Come Dancing) makes his National Theatre debut as Great Uncle Matthew and Fidolia at selected performances. Further casting is to be announced.

Why You Should Watch It

A family story about ambition, sisterhood and dance, adapted from a classic children's book. Book your tickets now.

Playing at Sadlers Wells (venue info)