The Royal Ballet presents A Single Man, based on the book by Christopher Isherwood

There is a lot of buzz around the London premiere of A Single Man. From 8 September, the Royal Ballet and Opera will host the new work at the Linbury Theatre at The Royal Opera House. It was first seen last month at the Manchester International Festival.

The new ballet is based on Christopher Isherwood’s 1964 novel that follows George, a gay, middle-aged professor, navigating life in 1960s California. Tom Ford made a highly acclaimed film of the story with Colin Firth as George, which came out in 2009.

Former Royal Ballet Principal dancer Ed Watson (formally credited as Edward Watson) shares the role of George with contemporary dancer Jonathan Goddard. The cast also includes Royal Ballet First Soloist James Hay as Kenny, and Royal Ballet Principal Character Artist Kristen McNally as Charley.

Director and choreographer Jonathan Watkins has transformed the book into a contemporary work, weaving together ballet and contemporary dance. Music comes from singer-songwriter John Grant and composer Jasmin Kent Rodgman, whose score is performed by the Manchester Collective. The dancers playing George will express the physicality of George’s exterior life while John Grant performs a collection of new songs, live on stage, revealing George’s internal monologue.

Grant says,

When Jonathan Watkins got in touch to ask me to write songs for a production of Christopher Isherwood’s A Single Man, I was certainly intrigued. I had seen Tom Ford’s excellent film adaption of the book but never read it myself. So I did just that and I have to say I was completely blown away and I still can’t believe it took more than 56 years to get to it. I don’t remember ever having had it recommended to me which puzzles me. After meeting with Jonathan and hearing him speak about his passion and vision for the project I knew I had to have a part in interpreting this masterpiece.

The creative team includes costume designer Eleanor Bull, with costume concepts by Oscar-winning Holly Waddington (Poor Things), set designer Chiara Stephenson – known for her work with SZA, Lorde, Florence + the Machine and Björk – as well as lighting designer Simisola Majekodunmi and Sound Designer Emma Laxton.

Watkins, says, 

This poetic novel is an inspiring and complex story of the human experience and what it means to be alive. It’s this and Isherwood’s approach to the relationship between mind and body that gives me the reasons to imagine it using dance narrative and song. Bringing the mind’s voice out in the production with the incredible singer-songwriter John Grant is a dream come true. To weave these new songs with the sound world of the brilliant composer Jasmin Kent Rodgman and work in collaboration with a highly talented group of dance artists and creatives to achieve this vision is truly an honour. I am passionate about Queer stories being represented on the stage in this way.

PHOTO ALBUM BELOW

A Single Man first premiered at the Manchester International Festival in July 2025, and transfers to Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House from 8 – 20 September 2025.

Ed Watson will perform the central role of George on 8,11,12,15,16,18 and 20 September. Multi-award-winning dancer, choreographer, and movement director Jonathan Goddard will dance the role of George on 9,10,13,17 and 19 September and Jim at all other performances.

London premiere 
A SINGLE MAN 
Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, WC2E 9DD
8 – 20 September 2025 
A co-production with Factory International based on the Christopher Isherwood novel (1964) 

Tickets: £7 – £60 
For more information, and to book, visit: A Single Man (rbo.org.uk) 

Direction and Choreography Jonathan Watkins  
Original Score Jasmin Kent Rodgman  
Original Songs John Grant  
Music Director and Arranger Fiona Brice  
Set Designer Chiara Stephenson  
Costume Designer Eleanor Bull
Costume Concepts Holly Waddington  
Lighting Designer Simisola Majekodunmi  
Dramaturg Luke Pell  
Musicians Manchester Collective 

Gramilano Editor

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.