National Tour Saturday 28 March – Sunday 31 May 2026
English National Ballet and English National Ballet School open up the world of ballet to young audiences with a magical new production of My First Ballet: Cinderella – a specially adapted version of the classic fairytale for children as young as three.
This spring, My First Ballet returns with a national tour, bringing the wonder of ballet to more families across the country and providing the perfect day out this spring. The new production of My First Ballet: Cinderella travels to New Victoria Theatre, Woking (28-29 March), the Peacock Theatre, London (2-11 April), Lighthouse, Poole (18-19 April), Grand Opera House, York (9-10 May), Wyvern Theatre, Swindon (23-24 May), and Newcastle Theatre Royal (30-31 May).
The story follows nature-loving Cinderella, who lives on the edge of an enchanted forest where she once gardened and sang with her mother. But, when loss and silence settle over her home, she’s left in the care of a sharp-tongued stepmother, two noisy stepsisters, and a house full of chores and shadows. Everything changes when an invitation to the Garden Ball arrives, setting Cinderella on a journey of self-discovery – guided by the spirit of her mother and the magic of the forest.
My First Ballet: Cinderella is choreographed by George Williamson and performed by English National Ballet School students and participants of the Graduate Artists Programme. With a running time of one hour and 20 minutes (including an interval), a narrator to help young audiences follow the story, and a shortened version of Prokofiev’s famous score, this charming reimagining is the perfect introduction to ballet for children and families.
Award-winning designer Rachael Canning brings the world of Cinderella to life through enchanting costumes, sets and puppetry, creating a colourful, imaginative landscape where animals, nature and magic make the story tangible for young audiences.
Since its creation in 2012, over 370,000 people have enjoyed English National Ballet’s My First Ballet series.
Performances at the Peacock Theatre, London also include Relaxed and BSL Interpreted performances as part of the My First Inclusive Ballet programme, as well as a series of family workshops for audiences to connect with ballet in more ways.