Ballet Shoes Revival – Initial Casting Announced at the National Theatre

The National Theatre has announced initial casting for the festive return of Ballet Shoes, Kendall Feaver’s acclaimed adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s beloved novel.

The production, directed by Katy Rudd, runs in the Olivier Theatre from 17 November 2025 to 21 February 2026.

Leading the company as the three Fossil sisters will be Sienna Arif-Knights as Petrova, Nina Cassells as Pauline and Scarlett Monahan as Posy.

Downton Abbey’s Lesley Nicol will play Nana with Anoushka Lucas (Elephant, A Face in the Crowd) in the role of Sylvia.

Returning to the production are Eryck Brahmania (Prince), Luke Cinque-White and Georges Hann (Flymen), Nadine Higgin (Theo), Xolisweh Ana Richards (Katerina Federovksy), Justin Salinger (Great Uncle Matthew/Fidolia/Mr French/Mr Sholsky/Madame Manoff), and Katie Singh (Ensemble).

New cast members include Raj Bajaj (Jai), Rosie Boore (Ensemble), Chrissy Brooke (Young Manoff/The Ballerina/Ensemble), Pandora Colin (Dr Jakes), Stephanie Elstob, Sebastian Goffin and Suzy Osadchyi (Swings), Gracie Hodson-Prior (Winifred), Kaitlyn Moore (Ensemble), and Anu Ogunmefun (Ensemble).

Further casting is to be announced.

Based on Noel Streatfeild’s novel, Ballet Shoes follows three adopted sisters – Pauline, Petrova and Posy – as they discover their talents and ambitions under the guidance of guardian Sylvia, Nana, and a household of eccentric lodgers.

Premiering in 2024, Ballet Shoes received widespread critical praise, with the Financial Times hailing it as a “playful, graceful adaptation”, the Evening Standard declaring it “never puts a foot wrong”, and “a playful, graceful adaptation” (★★★★★ Financial Times) that “springs from page to stage with panache” (★★★★★ WhatsonStage).

The creative team behind the production includes set designer Frankie Bradshaw, costume designer Samuel Wyer, choreographer Ellen Kane, and composer Asaf Zohar. Dance arrangements and orchestrations are by Gavin Sutherland, lighting is designed by Paule Constable, with sound design by Ian Dickinson for Autograph. The team also features video designer Ash J Woodward, illusions by Chris Fisher, and casting by Bryony Jarvis-Taylor and Martin Poile CDG, classical coach Cira Robinson, dialect coach Penny Dyer, voice coach Cathleen McCarron, associate choreographer Luke Cinque-White, and staff director Jasmine Teo.

Ballet Shoes is playing at the Olivier Theatre from 17 November 2025 to 21 February 2026.

Book tickets to Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre London