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Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke is set to make his National Theatre debut in Ballet Shoes, as the acclaimed production embarks on a major UK tour beginning next August. The reimagining played to sold-out houses in the National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre in 2024 and 2025, and was praised for breathing new life into the classic story of adopted sisters Pauline, Petrova and Posy.

The National Theatre’s much lauded production of Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild, adapted for the stage by Kendall Feaver and directed by Katy Rudd, will embark on a major tour in 2027 with Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke making his National Theatre debut as Great Uncle Matthew and Fidolia. More casting is expected at a later date.

The tour is due to begin in Aylesbury in August 2027 before making stops around the country through February 2028, with further dates and venues to be announced.

On the news of his joining the cast, Anton Du Beke said:

‘I took my family to see Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre, and I completely fell in love with the show. It was such a beautiful, joyful production, and when I was given the opportunity to be part of it, I jumped at the chance.

I couldn’t wait to step into that world and be a part of the magic. It gives me an exciting opportunity to test myself further as an actor – and dance and family are at the core, the two most important things to me.’

About Ballet Shoes

In what The Times called ‘a flaming masterpiece,’ this reimagining of Noel Streatfeild’s beloved novel breathes fresh life into the classic story. It follows three adopted sisters — Pauline, Petrova and Posy — as learn who they are and discover who they want to be. Under the watchful eyes of their new guardians and some unlikely lodgers, they fight to pursue their individual passions, in a world that wasn’t built for women with big ambitions.

Director Katy Rudd is joined on the creative team by set designer Frankie Bradshaw, costume designer Samuel Wyer, choreographer Ellen Kane, composer Asaf Zohar, lighting designer Paule Constable, sound designer Ian Dickinson for Autograph and video designer Ash J Woodward.

The production will also work with Frozen Light, an award-winning theatre company creating multi-sensory theatre for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities, at select venues on the tour, with access performances and family ticket rates available throughout.

Ballet Shoes confirmed tour dates

So far, a select number of dates and venues for the upcoming tour have been announced. Ballet Shoes will stop at the following locations, with more venues across the UK expected to be announced at a later date.

  • Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury, from 19–21 August 2027
  • Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, from 25 August – 11 September 2027
  • Norwich Theatre Royal, from 14–18 September 2027
  • Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, from 21–25 September 2027
  • Nottingham Theatre Royal, from 5–9 October 2027
  • Birmingham Hippodrome, from 12–16 October 2027
  • Edinburgh Playhouse, from 19–23 October 2027
  • Kings Theatre, Glasgow, from 26–30 October 2027
  • Chichester Festival Theatre, from 4–13 November 2027
  • Bristol Hippodrome, from 16–20 November 2027
  • Sunderland Empire Theatre, from 30 November – 4 December 2027
  • Lowry, Salford, from 8 December 2027 – 2 January 2028
  • New Theatre Oxford, from 5–8 January 2028
  • Liverpool Empire Theatre, from 11–15 January 2028
  • Milton Keynes Theatre, from 18–22 January 2028
  • Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, from 22–26 February 2028

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Main photo: Ballet Shoes UK Tour: Anton Du Beke. Photo by Matt Crockett

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