National Theatre’s Ballet Shoes to embark on tour with Anton Du Beke

The National Theatre’s adaptation of Ballet Shoes will embark on a tour across the UK following its premiere run at the Olivier Theatre in London.

Katy Rudd directs the production, which brings Noel Streatfeild’s 1936 novel to the stage. Adapted by Kendall Feaver, the story follows the lives of three adopted sisters, Pauline, Petrova, and Posy Fossil, as they navigate their ambitions, talents, and training at the Academy of Dancing and Stage Training in London.

Rudd is joined on the creative team by 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 Chris Fisher and the casting director is Bryony Jarvis-Taylor.

The tour will visit Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (19 to 21 August 2027), Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London (25 August to 11 September 2027), Norwich Theatre Royal (14 to 18 September 2027), The Marlowe in Canterbury (21 to 25 September 2027), Nottingham Theatre Royal (5 to 9 October 2027), Birmingham Hippodrome (12 to 16 October 2027), Edinburgh Playhouse (19 to 23 October 2027), King’s Theatre in Glasgow (26 to 30 October 2027), Chichester Festival Theatre (4 to 13 November 2027), Bristol Hippodrome (16 to 20 November 2027), Sunderland Empire (30 November to 4 December 2027), The Lowry in Salford (8 December 2027 to 2 January 2028), New Theatre Oxford (5 to 8 January 2028), Liverpool Empire (11 to 15 January 2028), Milton Keynes Theatre (18 to 22 January 2028) and Mayflower Theatre in Southampton (22 to 26 February 2028). Beke, playing Great Uncle Matthew / Fidolia, will be missing a selection of shows during the run – the National has advised bookers to check potential dates.

†See the National Theatre’s season in the guide below