No longer booking
  • Venue Royal Opera House, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 20 September 2025
  • Running time 1 hour 40 minutes (including interval)
  • Age guidelines 12+

Experience the London premiere of A Single Man, a groundbreaking contemporary ballet from The Royal Ballet, at the Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House from 8 to 20 September 2025. Featuring Ed Watson and Jonathan Goddard, with a live score by John Grant and Jasmin Kent Rodgman.

Overview

Opening the Royal Ballet and Opera’s 2025/26 Season, A Single Man is a powerful new ballet adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s celebrated novel. This bold co-production between The Royal Ballet and Factory International fuses dance, live music and theatre into an unforgettable experience at London’s Linbury Theatre.

Renowned choreographer Jonathan Watkins directs and choreographs this London premiere following a celebrated world premiere at the Manchester International Festival. With a new score by Jasmin Kent Rodgman and exclusive songs performed live on stage by singer-songwriter John Grant, A Single Man is a moving exploration of grief, identity, and love in 1960s California.

About the Ballet

Based on Isherwood’s 1964 novel, A Single Man follows George, a gay, middle-aged professor, through a single day in 1960s Los Angeles as he grieves the loss of his partner. This production interprets George’s inner world through dance and song, capturing the emotional intricacy of his journey.

Grant’s haunting live vocals act as George’s internal monologue, while choreography by Watkins (known for Kes, 1984) blends classical ballet and contemporary movement. With a visually striking design team—including creatives linked to Poor Things, SZA, and Björk—this is a ballet that’s both emotionally raw and artistically bold.

Why See It?

  • Rare opportunity to see Ed Watson return to the stage in a lead role
  • Experience Jonathan Goddard performing new material live
  • A poignant, timely story brought to life by queer artists and creators
  • A fusion of dance, live music and theatrical storytelling unlike any other ballet

Book Tickets

Tickets for A Single Man at the Royal Opera House are not yet on sale.

A Day in the Life

George is grieving after the sudden death of his long-term partner Jim. He wonders if life is still worth living and spends his day looking for ways to connect with the people around him. But there is another George: one who loves life. Can he reconcile these two parts of himself? Will a chance encounter remind him of joy?

Sign-up for booking alerts, offers & news about A Single Man and other shows:

Performance Information

Check booking calendar for full details

Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of A Single Man?

  • George: Ed Watson (8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 20 Sept) / Jonathan Goddard (9, 10, 13, 17, 19 Sept)
  • Jim: Jonathan Goddard
  • Kenny: James Hay
  • Charley: Kristen McNally
  • Ensemble: Harry Alexander, Naia Bautista, Laura Careless, Felicity Chadwick, Winnie Dias, Elle Fierce, Chester Hayes, Greig Matthews, Marie Astrid Mence, Nina Murphy, James Stephens

Who are the creative team of A Single Man?

  • Choreographer & Director: Jonathan Watkins
  • Original Score: Jasmin Kent Rodgman
  • Songs (Live Performance): John Grant
  • Music Direction & Arrangement: Fiona Brice
  • Set Design: Chiara Stephenson
  • Costume Design: Eleanor Bull
  • Costume Concepts: Holly Waddington
  • Lighting Design: Simisola Majekodunmi
  • Sound Design: Emma Laxton
  • Dramaturg: Luke Pell
  • Musicians: Manchester Collective

Important Notes

Accessible Performances of A Single Man
All performances are captioned. A BSL interpreted, relaxed, and live audio described performance (with touch tour) will take place on 13 September 2025 for RBO Access Scheme members. A recorded audio described performance with touch tour is on 17 September, and a BSL interpreted performance on 18 September.

Venue Information

Royal Opera House , Bow Street, London, WC2E 9DD

Nearest Tube or Train: Covent Garden (Piccadilly line), Leicester Square (Piccadilly line, Northern line)

Nearest Buses: 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 26, 68, 76, 77a, 91, 168, 171, 176, 188, 501(southbound only), 505, 521, X68 all go to the Aldwych.

Directions

Google Apple

Frequently Asked Questions

A Single Man is playing at the Royal Opera House in London
The running time of A Single Man is 1 hour 40 minutes (including interval)
The age recommendations for A Single Man are: 12+
Yes, A Single Man has matinee performances on the following days: Saturday
No, sorry, A Single Man has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

News about A Single Man

More Great Shows

See all