Ballet Shoes
By Noel Streatfeild
A new version by Kendall Feaver
The ‘playful, graceful adaptation’ (Telegraph) returns
In a crumbling house full of dinosaur bones and fossils, three adopted sisters – Pauline, Petrova and Posy – are learning who they are and what they want to be.
Under the watchful eyes and guidance of their guardian Sylvia, Nana, 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?
Katy Rudd (The Ocean at the End of the Lane) returns to the National Theatre to direct this ‘perfect joy’ (The i), as Noel Streatfeild’s beloved novel is brought back to the Olivier Stage in this new version by Kendall Feaver (The Almighty Sometimes).
Reviews
‘A playful, graceful adaptation – and a palpable hit.’
Telegraph
‘This superlative adaptation never puts a foot wrong.’
Evening Standard
‘If you see one show this Christmas season, make it the effusive, lovable Ballet Shoes.‘
Independent
‘A perfect joy.’
The i
‘Springs from page to stage with panache.’
WhatsOnStage
Daily Express
‘This production constantly oozes charm and astounds from beginning to end.’
Afridiziak
‘This snappy family show is the National at its best.’
Times
‘Filled with spectacular theatricality and fabulous performances.’
Guardian
‘Plenty for everyone to rejoice in.’
Observer
‘Inspirational’
Mail On Sunday
‘Spirited, wholesome and hearty.’
Daily Mail
‘Feaver’s dramatisation galvanises Streatfeild’s chronicle into a lively feminist tale of self-discovery.’
Financial Times
Nominated for the Olivier Awards 2025:
- Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play
- Best Set Design
- Outstanding Musical Contribution
Suitability
Please note: This production contains themes of adoption and death. Suitable for ages 7 – 107
Supporters
The original production at the National Theatre was supported by Rosetrees Trust and The Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater. This is an Edgerton New Plays Commission. New Play Commissions are also supported by the Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation
Cast to be announced
Artistic team
Writer
Playwright
Director
Katy Rudd
Katy Rudd
For the National Theatre: Ballet Shoes and The Ocean at the End of the Lane (also in the West End and on tour)
Set Designer
Frankie Bradshaw
Frankie Bradshaw
For the National Theatre: Alterations, Ballet Shoes, Dear Octopus, Blues for an Alabama Sky and Hamlet for young audiences (on UK schools tour)
Costume Designer
Samuel Wyer
Samuel Wyer
For the National Theatre: as costume designer, Ballet Shoes; and as costume and puppet designer, The Ocean at the End of the Lane (also in the West End and on tour) and The Elephantom
Choreographer
Ellen Kane
Ellen Kane
For the National Theatre: as co-movement director, Dear England (2025), and as choreographer, Ballet Shoes and Dear England (2023; also at Prince Edward)
Composer
Dance Arrangements and Orchestration
Lighting Designer
Paule Constable
Paule Constable
Recently for the National Theatre: Ballet Shoes, Nye (also Wales Millennium Centre), Till the Stars Come Down, The Confessions, Dixon and Daughters, The Normal Heart, The Visit, or The Old Lady Comes to Call and The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Sound Designer
Ian Dickinson for Autograph
Ian Dickinson for Autograph
For the National Theatre: Ballet Shoes, The Witches, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Translations, Small Island, Angels in America (also Broadway), Evening at the Talk House, The Red Lion, Rules for Living, A Taste of Honey, Emil and the Detectives, This House (also Chichester and Garrick) and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Video Designer
Ash J Woodward
Ash J Woodward
For the National Theatre: as video and projection designer includes Dear England (2025 and 2023), Ballet Shoes, Coriolanus, Roald Dahl’s The Witches and Hex
Illusions
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher
For the National Theatre: Ballet Shoes, The Witches, Peter Gynt, Julie, Angels in America (also Broadway), Here We Go, Pinocchio and Treasure Island
Casting Director
Bryony Jarvis-Taylor
Bryony Jarvis-Taylor
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023 and in the West End), Ballet Shoes, Coriolanus, London Tide, Dear Octopus, Roald Dahl’s The Witches, The Odyssey, Dixon and Daughters, Romeo and Julie, Much Ado About Nothing, Trouble in Mind, Hex, After Life, Dick Whittington, The Visit, My Brilliant Friend and Peter Gynt
Dialect Coach
Penny Dyer
Penny Dyer
For the National Theatre: Ballet Shoes, The Corn is Green, The Normal Heart, Follies, The Red Barn and This House
Voice Coach
Cathleen McCarron
Cathleen McCarron
For the National Theatre: Dear England (2025, 2023 and in the West End), Ballet Shoes, The Other Place for A Zeldin Company, Coriolanus, Mnemonic (2024, with Complicité), Nye (also Wales Millennium Centre), Till the Stars Come Down, The House of Bernarda Alba, The Confessions and The Motive and the Cue, Death of England: Closing Time and Romeo and Julie
Tickets
Monday – Thursday evenings and matinees:
£25, £39, £59, £79, £99
Friday – Saturday evenings and matinees:
£30, £49, £66, £86, £110
Previews 17 – 22 November:
£20, £35, £49, £64, £79
For concessions and discounts, including group bookings, see Ways to save
Please note the 6.30pm start time on Tuesday evening performances (excluding 25 Nov, 23 & 30 Dec).
Visit our Ticketing FAQs for information on how to book, ticket exchanges and more.
Prices may change according to demand
Assisted performances
Captioned
BSL Interpreted
Audio described
No Chilled performance available.
No Dementia-friendly performances available.
Relaxed performance
The interpreter for the BSL performance will be announced closer to the performance date.
Audio-described performances are preceded by a Touch Tour, 90 minutes before the performance start time. Call the Access line on 020 7452 3961 to book Touch Tours.
The Audio describers will be announced closer to the performance date.
We have an allocation of tickets held for members of our Access scheme and if any of the assisted performances above are shown as “Sold Out”, tickets may still be available: Please log in to your account to view all available tickets, or call Box Office on 020 7452 3961.
Smart caption glasses
Are not available for Ballet Shoes.
Shop
Visit our Shop website for a wide range of playtexts, gifts and prints of past production posters.
Image. Art direction and design by Louise Richardson and National Theatre Graphic Design Studio.