The English National Ballet 2023-2024 season, the first one programmed by incoming Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin, has just been announced.
Laurretta Summerscales, former Principal with English National Ballet and current Principal with Bavarian State Ballet, returns as a Guest Artist for the 2023-2024 Season performing as Clara in Nutcracker and as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake in-the-round.
This season will also see the continued national and international distribution of Creature, a collaboration between English National Ballet, Academy Award winning director Asif Kapadia and Akram Khan. Hailed as “a new frontier for cinema” (Little White Lies) Creature will also join Ballet on Demand May 22, 2023.
English National Ballet 2023-2024 Season Trailer
English National Ballet 2023-2024 Season Schedule
Our Voices | September 21-30, 2023
Sadler’s Wells
- Theme and Variations by George Balanchine
- Les Noces by Andrea Miller
- Four Last Songs by David Dawson
This triple bill features three distinct styles of dance which will highlight the company’s diversity.
Our Voices sees the world premiere of a new interpretation of Les Noces by American choreographer Andrea Miller with artwork by renowned sculptor Dame Phyllida Barlow. Presented in its centenary year, Les Noces is a visceral piece that sees the dancers joined on stage by a live chorus from Opera Holland Park, accompanied by English National Ballet Philharmonic.
Returning to English National Ballet for the first time in fiftenn years, one of the world’s leading neo-classical choreographers, David Dawson presents the world premiere of his latest creation Four Last Songs which explores the beauty of humanity and the circle of life, set to the final score by Richard Strauss.
“I was introduced to Four Last Songs at the age of 19 and it has been a constant presence in my life ever since – through all of my experiences, a true companion. It is an honour for me to be able to create this new ballet to a piece of music that is so close to my heart.” – David Dawson
Completing the program is Theme and Variations by one of the most influential choreographers in ballet, George Balanchine. New to English National Ballet’s repertoire, Theme and Variations sees 13 couples take to the stage in a beautiful showcase of virtuosity, featuring new set and designs for 2023 by Roberta Guidi di Bagno.
Giselle | October 19-21, 2023 + October 26-28, 2023
Palace Theatre, Manchester + Bristol Hippodrome
- Giselle by Akram Khan
Having been seen by over 140,000 people in 10 countries and 16 cities around the world, Akram Khan’s Giselle returns with performances on tour this autumn. In this acclaimed reimagining of the classic ballet, it tells the story of love, betrayal, and redemption, with an imposing set designed by Academy Award-winner Tim Yip.
PRINCIPAL CASTING
Principal casting for these performances sees debuts from Junior Soloists Emily Suzuki as Giselle, Henry Dowden as Albrecht and Victor Prigent as Hilarion. Lead Principal Emma Hawes and First Artist Angela Wood debut in the role of Myrtha.
(Giselle / Albrecht / Hilarion / Myrtha)
Palace Theatre, Manchester:
- Erina Takahashi / James Streeter / Ken Saruhashi / Emma Hawes*
19th October 19:30, 21st October 14:30 - Emily Suzuki*/ Henry Dowden*/ Erik Woolhouse / Angela Wood*
20th October 14:30 - Fernanda Oliveira / Aitor Arrieta / Victor Prigent* / Isabelle Brouwers
20th October 19:30, 21st October 19:30
Bristol Hippodrome:
- Fernanda Oliveira / Aitor Arrieta / Victor Prigent / Isabelle Brouwers
26th October 19:30, 28th October 14:30 - Emily Suzuki / Henry Dowden / Erik Woolhouse / Angela Wood
27th October 14:30 - Erina Takahashi / James Streeter / Ken Saruhashi / Emma Hawes
27th October 19:30, 28th October 19:30
The Nutcracker | November 30 – December 2, 2023 + December 14 – January 7, 2024
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton + London Coliseum
- The Nutcracker by Wayne Eagling
The magic of Christmas returns this festive season with Nutcracker on tour in Sothampton and London. Continuing English National Ballet’s tradition of presenting a version of Nutcracker every year since 1950, this production has already been seen be over 800,000 people, bringing joy to audiences young and old.
PRINCIPAL CASTING
New Lead Principal, Sangeun Lee, and Soloist, Precious Adams, make their debuts as Clara whilst the role of Nephew will be danced for the first time by First Soloist Gareth Haw, Soloist Skyler Martin, Junior Soloist Vsevolod Maievskyi and First Artist Edvinas Jakonis. Junior Soloists Victor Prigent and Noam Durand, and First Artists Miguel Angel Maidana and Eric Snyder, all perform the role of Nutcracker for the first time.
(Clara / Nephew / Nutcracker / Drosselmeyer)
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton:
- Ivana Bueno / Francesco Gabriele Frola / Rentaro Nakaaki / Fabian Reimair
29th November 19:30, 1st December 19:30 - Precious Adams* / Skyler Martin* / Daniel McCormick / Junor Souza
30th November 14:00 - Fernanda Oliveira / Aitor Arrieta / Henry Dowden / James Streeter
30th November 19:30, 2nd December 19:30 - Sangeun Lee* / Gareth Haw* / Skyler Martin / Junor Souza
2nd December 14:00
London Coliseum:
- Ivana Bueno / Francesco Gabriele Frola / Rentaro Nakaaki / Fabian Reimair
14th December 19:30, 17th December 14:30, 22nd December 14:30 - Fernanda Oliveira / Aitor Arrieta / Henry Dowden / James Streeter
15th December 19:30, 20th December 14:30 - Katja Khaniukova / Edvinas Jakonis* / Miguel Angel Maidana* / Giorgio Garrett
16th December 14:30, 19th December 14:30, 21st December 14:30 - Erina Takahashi / Fernando Carratala Coloma / Matthew Astley / James Streeter
16th December 19:30, 19th December 19:30, 23rd December 14:30, 28th December 14:30 - Laurretta Summerscales** / Lorenzo Trossello / Junor Souza / Fabian Reimair
20th December 19:30, 22nd December 19:30, 24th December 13:30 - Sangeun Lee / Gareth Haw / Skyler Martin / Junor Souza
21st December 19:30, 23rd December 19:30, 27th December 19:30 - Precious Adams / Skyler Martin / Daniel McCormick / Fabian Reimair
26th December 17:00, 29th December 19:30 - Emma Hawes / Vsevolod Maievskyi* / Junor Souza / James Streeter
27th December 14:30, 28th December 19:30, 30th December 14:30, 2nd January 19:30 - Shiori Kase / Erik Woolhouse / Victor Prigent* / Henry Dowden
29th December 14:30, 30th December 19:30, 4th January 19:30, 6th January 14:30 - Francesca Velicu / Ken Saruhashi / Noam Durand* / Giorgio Garrett
3rd January 14:30, 5th January 19:30, 7th January 14:30 - Julia Conway / Daniel McCormick / Eric Snyder* / Henry Dowden
3rd January 19:30, 5th January 14:30, 6th January 19:30
Giselle | January 11-21, 2024
London Coliseum
- Giselle by Mary Skeaping
Offering audiences the chance to see two versions of one of the great romantic ballets in the same season, Mary Skeaping’s production of Giselle returns to the London Coliseum. With its classical language, Giselle features some of ballet’s most dramatic scenes and otherworldly images.
PRINCIPAL CASTING
Lead Principals, Sangeun Lee, Emma Hawes and Shiori Kase will make their debut in the title role. Lead Principals Aitor Arrieta and Francesco Gabriele Frola, First Soloist Gareth Haw, Soloist Fernando Carratalá Coloma and Junior Soloist Vsevolod Maievskyi, debut as Albrecht. First Soloist Junor Souza, Soloist Erik Woolhouse, Junior Soloist Henry Dowden, and First Artist Giorgio Garrett perform the role of Hilarion for the first time. Soloist Precious Adams, Junior Soloists Anna Nevzorova and Emily Suzuki and First Artist Angela Wood, debut in the role of Myrtha.
(Giselle / Albrecht / Hilarion / Myrtha / Peasant Pas de Deux)
- Katja Khaniukova / Aitor Arrieta* / Fabian Reimair / Alison McWhinney / Ivana Bueno* / Daniel McCormick*
11th January 19:30, 16th January 19:30, 21st January 14:30 - Fernanda Oliveira / Francesco Gabriele Frola* / Henry Dowden* / Jung ah Choi / Adriana Lizardi* / Miguel Angel Maidana*
12th January 19:30, 14th January 14:30 - Sangeun Lee*/ Gareth Haw* / Junor Souza* / Anna Nevzorova* / Julia Conway* / Victor Prigent*
13th January 14:30, 19th January 19:30 - Erina Takahashi / Fernando Carratala Coloma* / Erik Woolhouse* / Emily Suzuki* / Francesca Velicu* / Shunhei Fuchiyama*
13th January 19:30, 17th January 19:30 - Emma Hawes* / Vsevolod Maievskyi* / James Streeter / Precious Adams* / Chloe Keneally* / Noam Durand*
18th January 14:30, 20th January 19:30 - Shiori Kase* / Ken Saruhashi / Giorgio Garrett* / Angela Wood* / Ivana Bueno / Daniel McCormick
18th January 19:30, 20th January 14:30
Carmen | March 27 – April 6, 2024
Sadler’s Wells
- Carmen by Johan Inger
The UK Premiere of Johan Inger’s award-winning Carmen was originally created for Spain’s Compañía Nacional de Danza. The tragic love story of Carmen, Don Jose and the Toreador is set to a score by Bizet and Shchedrin with new music from Spanish composer Marc Álvarez. Carmen offers audiences the chance to see a bold reimagining of this classic tragedy from Inger, whose work is rarely seen in the UK.
Swan Lake in-the-round | June 12-23, 2024
Royal Albert Hall, London
- Swan Lake in-the-round by Derek Deane
One of the biggest spectacles in ballet, Derek Deane’s Swan Lake in-the-round returns to the Royal Albert Hall. Over 100 performers, including 60 dancing swans, bring the classic love story to life on one of the world’s most famous stages. Featuring Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic, Swan Lake in-the-round is perfect for both dedicated fans and first-time ballet goers.
PRINCIPAL CASTING
Lead Principals Sangeun Lee and Emma Hawes make their debut in the dual role of Odette/Odile whilst Lead Principals Aitor Arrieta and Francesca Gabriele Frola, First Soloist Gareth Haw and Soloist Lorenzo Trossello debut as Prince Siegfried.
(Odette-Odile / Prince Siegfried / Rothbart)
- Sangeun Lee* / Gareth Haw* / James Streeter
12th June 19:30, 15th June 19:30, 18th June 19:30 - Fernanda Oliveira / Francesco Gabriele Frola* / Fabian Reimair
13th June 19:30, 15th June 14:30, 20th June 19:30 - Emma Hawes* / Aitor Arrieta* / Junor Souza
14th June 19:30, 16th June 14:30, 22nd June 19:30 - Laurretta Summerscales** / Lorenzo Trossello* / James Streeter
19th June 19:30, 21st June 19:30, 23rd June 14:30 - To be announced
20th June 14:30, 22nd June 14:30
This season will also see the continued national and international distribution of Creature, a collaboration between English National Ballet, Academy Award winning director Asif Kapadia and Akram Khan. Hailed as “a new frontier for cinema” (Little White Lies) Creature will also join Ballet on Demand on 22 May 2023.
*Debut
**Guest Artist
Featured Photo for the English National Ballet 2023-2024 Season of the company in The Nutcracker. Photo © Laurent Liotardo.
