• Performance dates 19 August 2027 - 26 February 2028
  • Running time 2 hours and 30 minutes (including interval)
  • Age guidelines 7+

Ballet Shoes - Tour Dates

Performance information is for guidance only. Check booking calendar for details.

Aylesbury Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
19 August 2027 - 21 August 2027
Book Now
Sadlers Wells Theatre
25 August 2027 - 11 September 2027
Booking Soon
Norwich Theatre Royal
14 September 2027 - 18 September 2027
Booking Soon
Canterbury The Marlowe Theatre
21 September 2027 - 25 September 2027
Booking Soon
Nottingham Theatre Royal & Concert Hall
5 October 2027 - 9 October 2027
Book Now
Birmingham Hippodrome
12 October 2027 - 16 October 2027
Booking Soon
Edinburgh Playhouse
19 October 2027 - 23 October 2027
Book Now
Glasgow King's Theatre
26 October 2027 - 30 October 2027
Book Now
Chichester Festival Theatre
4 November 2027 - 13 November 2027
Booking Soon
Bristol Hippodrome
16 November 2027 - 20 November 2027
Book Now
Sunderland Empire Theatre
30 November 2027 - 4 December 2027
Book Now
Salford The Lowry
8 December 2027 - 2 January 2028
Book Now
Oxford New Theatre
5 January 2028 - 8 January 2028
Book Now
Liverpool Empire Theatre
11 January 2028 - 15 January 2028
Book Now
Milton Keynes Milton Keynes Theatre
18 January 2028 - 22 January 2028
Book Now
Southampton Mayflower Theatre
22 February 2028 - 26 February 2028
Book Now

The National Theatre production of Ballet Shoes, based on the beloved novel by Noel Streatfeild, embarks on a major UK tour starring Strictly’s Anton Du Beke

A beloved story now on tour

The National Theatre’s acclaimed production of Noel Streatfeild’s much-loved children’s classic, adapted for the stage by Kendall Feaver and directed by Katy Rudd, Ballet Shoes embarks on a major UK tour from August 2027, running through to 2028.

It tells the story of three adopted sisters discovering their dreams. Set in a creaking London house filled with fossils and curiosities, the story follows Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil as they grow up together and begin to pursue their very different ambitions.

Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke will make his debut in the National Theatre production, playing Great Uncle Matthew and Fidolia at select venues and performances.

Book Ballet Shoes tickets

The UK tour of Ballet Shoes opens at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury in August 2027 before heading to Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London. It then continues to venues across the UK including Norwich, Canterbury, Nottingham, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and more.

In a crumbling house full of dinosaur bones and fossils, three adopted sisters — Pauline, Petrova and Posy — are learning who they are and discovering who they want to be. Under the watchful eyes and guidance of their new guardians and some unlikely lodgers, they fight to pursue their individual passions: but in a world that wasn’t built for women with big ambitions, can they forge a future, keep their family together, and even learn a dance or two along the way?

Sign-up for booking alerts, offers & news about Ballet Shoes and other shows:
★★★★★
“I’d recommend this Christmas show to absolutely anyone.”
The Times (2025)
★★★★
“As nimble and twinkling as any dainty dancer’s fleet, satin-slippered feet.”
The Stage (2025)
★★★★
“Thrills again with its spry visual ingenuity and gung-ho warmth.”
Evening Standard (2025)

Videos & Photos

Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of Ballet Shoes?

  • Great Uncle Matthew / Fidolia: Anton Du Beke *(performing at select venues and performances only)

Further casting to be announced at a later date.

Who are the creative team of Ballet Shoes?

  • Writer: Noel Streatfeild
  • Adapted by: Kendall Feaver
  • Director: Katy Rudd
  • Set designer: Frankie Bradshaw
  • Costume designer: Samuel Wyer
  • Choreographer: Ellen Kane
  • Composer: Asaf Zohar
  • Dance arrangements and orchestrations: Gavin Sutherland
  • Lighting designer: Paule Constable
  • Sound designer: Ian Dickinson for Autograph
  • Video designer: Ash J Woodward
  • Illusions: Chris Fisher

Venue Information

, , ,

Nearest Tube or Train:

Nearest Buses:

Directions

Google Apple

Critics' reviews of Ballet Shoes

★★★★★ “I’d recommend this Christmas show to absolutely anyone.” The Times (2025)

★★★★ “As nimble and twinkling as any dainty dancer’s fleet, satin-slippered feet.” The Stage (2025)

★★★★ “Thrills again with its spry visual ingenuity and gung-ho warmth.” Evening Standard (2025)

★★★★ "Ballet Shoes is a perfect Christmas show" - TimeOut

★★★★★ "A playful, graceful adaptation – and a palpable hit" - The Telegraph (2024)

★★★★★ "A perfect joy" - The i Paper (2024)

★★★★★ "Bravo – this superlative adaptation never puts a foot wrong" - The Evening Standard (2024)

★★★★★ "If you see one show this Christmas season, make it the effusive, lovable Ballet Shoes" - The Independent (2024)

★★★★★ "Intelligent and alluring family entertainment with an edge" - Express (2024)

★★★★★ "A Christmas show with heart, soul and a flurry of movement to sweep you away" - What's On Stage (2024)

★★★★ "Thrills again with its spry visual ingenuity and gung-ho warmth" - Evening Standard (2025)

★★★★ "An elegant Christmas cracker of a show" - The Guardian (2024)

★★★★ "The National at its best" - The Times (2024)

★★★★ "A vivid stage version of Noel Streatfeild’s tale of self-discovery" - The Financial Times (2024)

Also see: Ballet Shoes Reviews Round-up

Frequently Asked Questions

The running time of Ballet Shoes is 2 hours and 30 minutes (including interval)
The age recommendations for Ballet Shoes are: 7+
To buy official London Theatre tickets to Ballet Shoes, click on the Get Tickets button at the top of this page. You will be able to access the booking calendar to check live ticket availability and prices and see any exclusive offers or discounts. You will be purchasing tickets from an authorised retailer and member of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers.
Yes, Ballet Shoes has matinee performances on the following days:

News about Ballet Shoes

More Touring Shows

See all