English National Ballet has revealed its 2025-2026 Season, featuring a vibrant and varied lineup designed to captivate audiences of all ages and expand the ways they can engage with ballet.
English National Ballet’s Artistic Director, Aaron S. Watkin, said: “At English National Ballet, we believe in the boundless emotional power of dance to move more people, in more ways. Alongside works that honour tradition and drive innovation, we offer a wide-ranging programme of creative learning and participation. So however you choose to connect with us, we invite you to ‘feel more’ with ENB.”
The season opens at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London in October, with a new programme R:Evolution, celebrating four visionary dance innovators.
It features works from two of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century, both created in 1940’s New York: George Balanchine’s brilliant Theme and Variations and Martha Graham’s intense Errand into the Maze, a company premiere marking English National Ballet’s first performance of her work. The program then shifts to the 1990s with William Forsythe’s iconic Herman Schmerman (Quintet), a work inspired by Balanchine and Graham that pushed ballet into the modern era. Bringing us to today, David Dawson’s innovative choreography shines in Four Last Songs, created for English National Ballet in 2023, exemplifying his ability to advance the art form through a powerful blend of physicality and emotion.
Body & Soul is the season’s second new programme, with performances at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in March 2026. The bill includes a world premiere from rising talent and acclaimed commercial dancer Kameron N. Saunders, whose recent work includes performing with Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan. Saunders brings his fresh choreographic voice to the UK stage with a work examining how we find our authentic self in the face of crushing societal pressure and expectation.
Completing the bill is the UK premiere of Body and Soul (Part 1) from Crystal Pite. Recognised as one of today’s most original choreographic talents, Pite uses her distinctive blend of precision and fluidity to create a mesmerising work exploring the human response to bereavement.
Body & Soul then travels to make its national premiere at the Theatre Royal Plymouth (30 April – 2 May 2026), demonstrating the Company’s commitment to broadening access to new and innovative work.
Aaron S. Watkin said: “Body & Soul sees the creative synergy of an emerging choreographic talent and one of today’s most boundary-pushing dance makers, reimagining the possibilities of ballet. Together, Kameron and Crystal infuse the stage with innovation and creativity in this powerful double bill, promising an unforgettable experience for us all.”
Honouring ENB’s commitment to the great tradition of classical ballet, the company presents Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s The Sleeping Beauty – a signature work from one ofBritain’s most celebrated choreographers, performed exclusively by English National Ballet. MacMillian’s timeless fairytale ballet will tour to venues around the UK including Liverpool’s Empire Theatre (23-25 October 2025), Manchester’s Palace Theatre (19-22 November 2025), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (26-29 November 2025) and, for the first time, the Royal Albert Hall, London (18-23 June 2026). It features stunning costumes and sets by legendary designers Nicholas Georgiadis and Peter Farmer.
Following 2024’s sell-out performances, English National Ballet’s acclaimed Nutcracker, choreographed by Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin and Olivier Award-winner Arielle Smith, returns this Christmas. With performances at the London Coliseum (11 December 2025 – 11 January 2026), audiences will join Clara on her fantastical adventure, from Edwardian London to the magical Land of Sweets & Delights. Nutcracker is brought to life by exquisite dancing, spectacular costumes and sets by Dick Bird and Tchaikovsky’s instantly recognisable score.
Akram Khan’s Giselle celebrates its 10th anniversary with its first performances in the West End, at the London Coliseum (15 – 18 January 2026). The phenomenal success of this production, which was created on the Company, has seen it tour to 11 countries and 17 cities around the world since its 2016 premiere. Khan’s iconic take on the tragic tale of love, betrayal, and redemption features an imposing set from Academy Award-winner Tim Yip and powerful score by Vincenzo Lamagna.
English National Ballet and English National Ballet School are bringing My First Ballet to younger audiences at the Peacock Theatre, Sadler’s Wells’ West End venue, in April 2026, followed by the series’ first national tour since 2019 (with more details to come). Designed as an ideal entry point to ballet, this production features a narrator to guide viewers, welcoming children as young as three into the art form. The season includes a Relaxed performance and a BSL-interpreted performance within the My First Inclusive Ballet program, alongside family workshops to enrich the experience for all attendees.
Returning in spring, Emerging Dancer shines a light on rising talent throughout the Company, with finalists showcasing their dedication and artistry. The event will be streamed to digital audiences and also includes The People’s Choice Award, as chosen by audience members, and the Corps de Ballet Award, for an Artist of the Company who has gone above and beyond, both on stage and off.
Through its robust Engagement program, English National Ballet remains a trailblazer in creative health, education, and participation, crafting inspiring opportunities for people to connect with its productions as participants, spectators, creators, and performers. Each year, ENB reaches tens of thousands of adults, children, and young people with these initiatives.
The company’s pioneering Dance Health programs, including Dance for Parkinson’s and Dance for Dementia, will be offered at their East London studios, across the UK, and online. Their inclusive efforts with schools and youth provide distinctive avenues to spark imagination and delve into their works. The diverse lineup features youth dance talent programs like ENBYouthCo-nnect and ENBYouthCo, artist support to foster creative growth, the annual Re-Play dance talent showcase, and Dance Classes for All.
English National Ballet will continue to grow its digital reach in 2025-2026, bringing ballet to more people in the UK and beyond. The company’s online platforms, BalletActive and Ballet on Demand will be further developed with additional productions, including the recently premiered Nutcracker, made available for audiences to enjoy from home.
Ballet Futures, English National Ballet’s initiative to encourage children from underrepresented communities (including African Diaspora, Caribbean, South Asian, and South East Asian heritage) to pursue professional ballet training, will continue through the 2025-2026 season. The program has expanded to include 35 students across five schools nationwide. Building on the success of selected students performing in ENB’s Nutcracker in 2024, the upcoming season will offer additional performance opportunities within the Ballet Futures framework.
Visit ballet.org.uk for more details on this year’s season.
