Photos

National Theatre’s Ballet Shoes – photos released

Katy Rudd’s production is back dancing on stage this Christmas

Alex Wood

Alex Wood

| London |

25 November 2025

The cast of Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS11518
The cast of Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir

Photos have been released for the stage adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s best-selling book Ballet Shoes, which will return this winter.

Adapted by Kendall Feaver, the family show will once more play on the National Theatre’s Olivier stage over the festive season this year. The piece follows three adopted sisters living in a crumbling house, learning to forge a future while keeping their family together.

Directed by Katy Rudd, it was first seen last autumn, where it opened to glowing reviews.

Playing the three Fossil sisters are Sienna Arif-Knights as Petrova Fossil, Nina Cassells as Pauline Fossil and Scarlett Monahan as Posy Fossil.

The cast also includes Julie Armstrong in the ensemble, Raj Bajaj as Jai, Rosie Boore in the ensemble, Eryck Brahmania as Prince, Chrissy Brooke in the ensemble, Luke Cinque-White as Flyman, Pandora Colin as Dr Jakes, Stephanie Elstob as a swing, Sebastian Goffin as a swing, Shailan Gohil in the ensemble, Mark Hammersley in the ensemble, Georges Hann as Flyman, Nadine Higgin as Theo, Gracie Hodson-Prior as Winifred, Anoushka Lucas as Sylvia, Kaitlyn Moore in the ensemble, Lesley Nicol as Nana, Anu Ogunmefun in the ensemble, Suzy Osadchyi as a swing, Xolisweh Ana Richards as Katerina Federovksy, Gabriela Rodriguez in the ensemble, Justin Salinger as Great Uncle Matthew/Fidolia/Mr French/Mr Sholsky/Madame Manoff and Katie Singh in the ensemble.

Alongside Rudd as director, the show’s creative team includes set designer Frankie Bradshaw, costume designer Samuel Wyer, choreographer Ellen Kane, composer Asaf Zohar, dance arranger and orchestrator Gavin Sutherland, lighting designer Paule Constable, sound designer Ian Dickinson for Autograph, video designer Ash J Woodward, illusions director Chris Fisher, casting directors Bryony Jarvis-Taylor and Martin Poile, classical coach Cira Robinson, dialect coach Penny Dyer, voice coaches Cathleen McCarron and Zoe Littleton, associate choreographer Luke Cinque-White, associate lighting designer Imogen Clarke, associate illusions Sam Lupton, associate sound designer Jonas Roebuck, associate video designer Hayley Egan, and staff director Jasmine Teo.

Xolisweh Ana Richards (Katerina) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS13845
Xolisweh Ana Richards (Katerina) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
The cast of Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS19466
The cast of Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
The cast of Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS14491
The cast of Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
The cast of Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS13271
The cast of Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (© Alastair Muir
The cast of Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS11518
The cast of Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Sienna Arif Knights (Petrova), Scarlett Monahan (Posy), Nina Cassells (Pauline) and Nadine Higgin (Theo Dane) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS02978
Sienna Arif Knights (Petrova), Scarlett Monahan (Posy), Nina Cassells (Pauline) and Nadine Higgin (Theo Dane) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Sienna Arif Knights (Petrova) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS18693
Sienna Arif Knights (Petrova) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Scarlett Monahan (Posy), Sienna Arif Knights (Petrova) and Nadine Higgin (Theo Dane) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS12129
Scarlett Monahan (Posy), Sienna Arif Knights (Petrova) and Nadine Higgin (Theo Dane) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Scarlett Monahan (Posy) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS20217
Scarlett Monahan (Posy) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Scarlett Monahan (Posy) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS17379
Scarlett Monahan (Posy) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Raj Bajaj (Jai) and Sienna Arif Knights (Petrova) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS15570
Raj Bajaj (Jai) and Sienna Arif Knights (Petrova) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Pandora Colin (Dr Jakes), Raj Bajaj (Jai), Anoushka Lucas (Sylvia) and Nadine Higgin (Theo Dane) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS14948
Pandora Colin (Dr Jakes), Raj Bajaj (Jai), Anoushka Lucas (Sylvia) and Nadine Higgin (Theo Dane) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Nina Cassells (Pauline), Sienna Arif Knights (Petrova) and Scarlett Monahan (Posy) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS00133
Nina Cassells (Pauline), Sienna Arif Knights (Petrova) and Scarlett Monahan (Posy) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Nina Cassells (Pauline) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS16206
Nina Cassells (Pauline) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Nadine Higgin (Theo Dane), Scarlett Monahan (Posy), Nina Cassells (Pauline) and Sienna Arif Knights (Petrova) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS12464
Nadine Higgin (Theo Dane), Scarlett Monahan (Posy), Nina Cassells (Pauline) and Sienna Arif Knights (Petrova) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Nadine Higgin (Theo Dane) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS17929
Nadine Higgin (Theo Dane) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Nadine Higgin (Theo Dane) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS09762
Nadine Higgin (Theo Dane) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Lesley Nicol (Nana) and Anoushka Lucas (Sylvia) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS16699
Lesley Nicol (Nana) and Anoushka Lucas (Sylvia) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Justin Salinger (Great Uncle Matthew) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS12006
Justin Salinger (Great Uncle Matthew) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Justin Salinger (Great Uncle Matthew) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS08921
Justin Salinger (Great Uncle Matthew) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Justin Salinger (Great Uncle Matthew) and Lesley Nicol (Nana) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS15474
Justin Salinger (Great Uncle Matthew) and Lesley Nicol (Nana) in Ballet Shoes (2025), © Alastair Muir
Justin Salinger (Great Uncle Matthew) and Anoushka Lucas (Sylvia) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS11916
Justin Salinger (Great Uncle Matthew) and Anoushka Lucas (Sylvia) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Justin Salinger (Fidolia) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS16370
Justin Salinger (Fidolia) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS16370© Alastair Muir
Georges Hann (Ensemble) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS14663
Georges Hann (Ensemble) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Eryck Brahmania (Prince) and Xolisweh Ana Richards (Katerina) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS13652
Eryck Brahmania (Prince) and Xolisweh Ana Richards (Katerina) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS20502
Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Anu Ogunmefun (Ensemble), Nina Cassells (Pauline), Sienna Arif Knights (Petrova) and Scarlett Monahan (Posy) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS15971
Anu Ogunmefun (Ensemble), Nina Cassells (Pauline), Sienna Arif Knights (Petrova) and Scarlett Monahan (Posy) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir
Anu Ogunmefun (Ensemble), Georges Hann (Ensemble), Gabriela Rodriguez (Ensemble) and Gracie Hodson Prior (Winifred) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. (c) Alastair Muir BS13013
Anu Ogunmefun (Ensemble), Georges Hann (Ensemble), Gabriela Rodriguez (Ensemble) and Gracie Hodson Prior (Winifred) in Ballet Shoes (2025) at the National Theatre. © Alastair Muir

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