The National Theatre has announced the initial casting for the highly anticipated festive return of Ballet Shoes, Kendall Feaver’s acclaimed adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s beloved novel.
Part of Indhu Rubasingham’s inaugural season as Director and Co-CEO, Ballet Shoes will run in the Olivier Theatre from 25 November 2025 to 21 February 2026.
Taking on the roles of the Fossil sisters are Sienna Arif-Knights as Petrova, Nina Cassells as Pauline, and Scarlett Monahan as Posy.
Returning to the cast are Eryck Brahmania as Prince, Luke Cinque-White and Georges Hann as Flyman, Nadine Higgin as Theo, Xolisweh Ana Richards as Katerina Federovsky, Justin Salinger in multiple roles including Great Uncle Matthew and Madame Manoff, and Katie Singh in the Ensemble.
New additions include Raj Bajaj as Jai, Rosie Boore, Kaitlyn Moore, Anu Ogunmefun in the Ensemble, Chrissy Brooke as Young Manoff and The Ballerina, Pandora Colin as Dr Jakes, Stephanie Elstob, Suzy Osadchyi, and Sebastian Goffin as Swings, Gracie Hodson-Prior as Winifred, Anoushka Lucas as Sylvia, and Lesley Nicol as Nana. Further casting will be announced.
Directed by Katy Rudd, this “playful, graceful adaptation” (★★★★★ Financial Times) “never puts a foot wrong” (★★★★★ London Standard). The production “springs from page to stage with panache” (★★★★★ WhatsonStage).
Set in a crumbling house filled with fossils and dreams, Ballet Shoes follows three adopted sisters—Pauline, Petrova, and Posy—as they discover their passions and fight to pursue them in a world not built for ambitious women.
The creative team includes set designer Frankie Bradshaw, costume designer Samuel Wyer, choreographer Ellen Kane, composer Asaf Zohar, orchestrator Gavin Sutherland, lighting designer Paule Constable, sound designer Ian Dickinson for Autograph, video designer Ash J Woodward, illusions by Chris Fisher, casting directors Bryony Jarvis-Taylor CDG and Martin Poile CDG, classical coach Cira Robinson, dialect coach Penny Dyer, voice coach Cathleen McCarron, associate choreographer Luke Cinque-White, and staff director Jasmine Teo.
The National Theatre continues its partnership with Coram, the UK’s oldest children’s charity, throughout the run of Ballet Shoes.
Ballet Shoes is recommended for ages 7 to 107 and promises to be a heartwarming treat for families this winter.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
