Today, the English National Ballet [ENB] has announced its plans for the 2025-2026 season. The company will perform works by Martha Graham and Crystal Pite for the first time, and there will be a newly commissioned work from rising choreographic talent, Kameron N. Saunders.
Kenneth MacMillan‘s The Sleeping Beauty will be revived for a national tour and presented at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time.
ENB’s UK touring programme has been extended and includes taking a contemporary programme to the Theatre Royal in Plymouth.
Also, Akram Khan‘s Giselle reaches its 10th anniversary with performances at the London Coliseum for the first time.
English National Ballet’s Artistic Director, Aaron S. Watkin, said:
At English National Ballet, we believe in the boundless emotional power of dance to move more people, in more ways. Alongside works that honour tradition and drive innovation, we offer a wide-ranging programme of creative learning and participation. So however you choose to connect with us, we invite you to ‘feel more’ with ENB.
The season opens at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London in October, with a new programme R:Evolution, celebrating four visionary dance innovators. It features works from two of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century, both created in 1940’s New York: George Balanchine‘s Theme and Variations, and Martha Graham’s Errand into the Maze – a company premiere marking the first performance of her work by English National Ballet. There is also the 1990’s classic Herman Schmerman (Quintet) by William Forsythe, who drew inspiration from both these visionaries and continued to propel ballet into the 21st century. Fast forward to present day and the work of David Dawson and his Four Last Songs, created in 2023 for English National Ballet.
Body & Soul is the season’s second new programme, with performances at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in March 2026. The bill includes a world premiere from rising talent and acclaimed commercial dancer Kameron N. Saunders, whose recent work includes performing with Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan. A new score composed by Brandon Finklea and Harold Walker III will be played by English National Ballet Philharmonic, conducted by Maria Seletskaja. Completing the bill is the UK premiere of Body and Soul (Part 1) from Crystal Pite. Pite uses her distinctive blend of precision and fluidity to create a work exploring the human response to bereavement.
Watkin said:
Body & Soul sees the creative synergy of an emerging choreographic talent and one of today’s most boundary-pushing dance makers, reimagining the possibilities of ballet. Together, Kameron and Crystal infuse the stage with innovation and creativity in this powerful double bill, promising an unforgettable experience for us all.
Kenneth MacMillan’s The Sleeping Beauty is a signature work from one of Britain’s most celebrated choreographers and performed exclusively by ENB. It will tour venues around the UK including Liverpool’s Empire Theatre (23-25 October 2025), Manchester’s Palace Theatre (19-22 November 2025), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (26-29 November 2025) and, for the first time, the Royal Albert Hall, London (18-23 June 2026). It features stunning costumes and sets by Nicholas Georgiadis and Peter Farmer.
ENB’s new Nutcracker, choreographed by Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin and Arielle Smith, returns this Christmas with performances at the London Coliseum (11 December 2025 – 11 January 2026).
Akram Khan’s Giselle celebrates its 10th anniversary with its first performances in the West End, at the London Coliseum (15 – 18 January 2026). The phenomenal success of this production, which was created on ENB, has seen it tour to 11 countries and 17 cities around the world since its 2016 premiere. Khan’s iconic take on the tragic tale of love, betrayal, and redemption features an imposing set from Academy Award-winner Tim Yip and a powerful score by Vincenzo Lamagna.
For younger audiences, English National Ballet and English National Ballet School present First Ballet at Sadler’s Wells’ West End venue, the Peacock Theatre, in April 2026, as well as embarking on a national tour for the first time since 2019.
Returning in spring, Emerging Dancer shines a light on rising talent throughout the Company, with finalists showcasing their dedication and artistry. The event will be streamed online.
R:Evolution
Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London
1 – 11 October 2025
www.ballet.org.uk/r-evolution
The Sleeping Beauty
Liverpool Empire Theatre
23 – 25 October 2025
www.ballet.org.uk/sleepingbeauty
Palace Theatre, Manchester
19 – 22 November 2025
www.ballet.org.uk/sleepingbeauty
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
26 – 29 November 2025
www.ballet.org.uk/sleepingbeauty
Nutcracker
London Coliseum
11 December 2025 – 11 January 2026
www.ballet.org.uk/nutcracker
Akram Khan’s Giselle
London Coliseum
15 – 18 January 2026
www.ballet.org.uk/khan-giselle
Body & Soul
Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London
19 – 28 March 2026
www.ballet.org.uk/body-and-soul
My First Ballet
The Peacock, London
2 – 11 April 2026
Body & Soul
Theatre Royal Plymouth
30 April – 2 May 2026
www.ballet.org.uk/body-and-soul
Emerging Dancer
English National Ballet’s Mulryan Centre for Dance
Spring 2026
Also streamed for digital audiences
www.ballet.org.uk/emerging-dancer-2026
The Sleeping Beauty
Royal Albert Hall, London
25 – 28 June 2026
www.ballet.org.uk/sleepingbeauty
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.