Ballet Shoes
By Noel Streatfeild
A new version by Kendall Feaver
The ‘playful, graceful adaptation’ (Telegraph) returns
In a crumbling house full of dinosaur bones and fossils, three adopted sisters – Pauline, Petrova and Posy – are learning who they are and what they want to be.
Under the watchful eyes and guidance of their guardian Sylvia, Nana, and some unlikely lodgers, they fight to pursue their individual passions. But in a world that wasn’t built for women with big ambitions, can they forge a future, keep their family together, and even learn a dance or two along the way?
Katy Rudd (The Ocean at the End of the Lane) returns to the National Theatre to direct this ‘perfect joy’ (The i), as Noel Streatfeild’s beloved novel is brought back to the Olivier Stage in this new version by Kendall Feaver (The Almighty Sometimes).
Reviews
Nominated for the Olivier Awards 2025:
- Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play
- Best Set Design
- Outstanding Musical Contribution
Suitability
Please note: This production contains themes of adoption and death. Suitable for ages 7 – 107
Supporters
The original production at the National Theatre was supported by Rosetrees Trust and The Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater. This is an Edgerton New Plays Commission. New Play Commissions are also supported by the Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation
Cast to be announced
Artistic team
Writer
Noel Streatfeild
Playwright
Kendall Feaver
Director
Katy Rudd
Set Designer
Frankie Bradshaw
Costume Designer
Samuel Wyer
Choreographer
Ellen Kane
Composer
Asaf Zohar
Dance Arrangements and Orchestration
Gavin Sutherland
Lighting Designer
Paule Constable
Sound Designer
Ian Dickinson for Autograph
Video Designer
Ash J Woodward
Illusions
Chris Fisher
Casting Director
Bryony Jarvis-Taylor CDG
Dialect Coach
Penny Dyer
Voice Coach
Cathleen McCarron
Booking information
Ticket prices
Monday – Thursday evenings and matinees:
£25, £39, £59, £79, £99
Friday – Saturday evenings and matinees:
£30, £49, £66, £86, £110
Previews 17 – 22 November:
£20, £35, £49, £64, £79
Prices may change according to demand
For concessions and discounts, including group bookings, see Ways to save
Early evening performances
Please note the 6.30pm start time on Tuesday evening performances (excluding 25 Nov, 23 & 30 Dec).
Ticketing FAQs
- Fees: We charge no extra booking fees online. A £3 transaction fee applies by phone.
- Payment types: We accept Amex, MasterCard & Visa.
- Ticket delivery: We send mobile tickets 7 days before the performance. These can be saved to the wallet on your phone.
- Ticket exchanges: You can request to exchange some or all of your tickets in the Account section of this website, up to 24hrs before the performance. A fee of £4 per performance returned online applies.
Visit our full Ticketing FAQs if you need more information on how to book, ticket exchanges and more.
What's on guide
Download the latest guide (PDF 1.8MB)
What’s on Jan – Dec 2025
Download the Alternative format of the Jan – Dec 2025 guide (PDF 515KB)
Assisted performances
Captioned
BSL Interpreted
Audio described
No Chilled performance available.
No Dementia-friendly performances available.
Relaxed performance
The interpreter for the BSL performance will be announced closer to the performance date.
Audio-described performances are preceded by a Touch Tour, 90 minutes before the performance start time. Call the Access line on 020 7452 3961 to book Touch Tours.
The Audio describers will be announced closer to the performance date.
We have an allocation of tickets held for members of our Access scheme and if any of the assisted performances above are shown as “Sold Out”, tickets may still be available: Please log in to your account to view all available tickets, or call Box Office on 020 7452 3961.
Smart caption glasses
Are not available for Ballet Shoes.
Shop
Visit our Shop website for a wide range of playtexts, gifts and prints of past production posters.
Image. Art direction and design by Louise Richardson and National Theatre Graphic Design Studio.