English National Ballet Nutcracker. Image: A ballerina in white stands in a barren, snowy forest. She is turned to the side en pointe with one leg stretched out behind her. Her arms are extended and she holds a nutcracker above her face staring up at it.
The English National Ballet logo sits in the top left corner. Giselle IMAGE: A Woman in white poses gracefully, arms crossed, hands pointing up toward her shoulders. She is standing in a bower of flowers.
English National Ballet Nutcracker. Image: A ballerina in white stands in a barren, snowy forest. She is turned to the side en pointe with one leg stretched out behind her. Her arms are extended and she holds a nutcracker above her face staring up at it.
The English National Ballet logo sits in the top left corner. Giselle IMAGE: A Woman in white poses gracefully, arms crossed, hands pointing up toward her shoulders. She is standing in a bower of flowers.

English National Ballet Tickets

Nutcracker

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Giselle

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English National Ballet Shows in London

Maybe you have just started exploring the world of ballet, or perhaps you are a dedicated fan. Either way, the English National Ballet is for you. From classics to contemporary performances, the company offers a wide range of styles, making it one of the best places for ballet. Their performances cater to every generation. So, what are you waiting for? Book your English National Ballet tickets and enjoy a memorable experience for the whole family.

Sir Anton Dolin and Dame Alicia Markova founded the English National Ballet as London Festival Ballet. It is one of the five biggest ballet companies in the UK and a leading European touring company. It consists of a symphony orchestra—the English National Ballet Philharmonic—and around 67 dancers. They regularly perform at the London Coliseum and also conduct special performances at the Royal Albert Hall. The London Festival Ballet became the English National Ballet when Peter Schaufuss became director in 1984. He also established the English National Ballet School, which is part of the company premises even though independent. The company became the Sadler's Wells' Associate Company in 2014. See jaw-dropping performances by getting English National Ballet tickets today!

The Company's Beginnings

The British dance couple Anton Dolin and Alicia Markova founded the company in 1950. What was then named the Gala Performances of Ballet would later be called Festival Ballet, then the London Festival Ballet. It wasn't until 1989 that it took its current name. The couple were the star dancers of Ballet Russes—a major 20th-century ballet company. Its director, Serge Diaghilev, died in 1929, which led to the company disbanding two years later. Ninette de Valois was one of its dancers, who went on to open the Vic-Wells Ballet Company and made Dolin and Markova its principal dancers. In 1935, they left the company and began performing as the Markova-Dolin Company. They performed several successful shows and decided to start their own company for national and international tours.

While the company saw huge success, it often faced bankruptcy but never stopped. Olivier Evening Standard Award-winner dancer, Peter Schaufuss, managed to put the company back on track. He also presented several renowned choreographers ballets and invited Princess Diana to be the company's patron. This was the golden age that saw the company reach a higher level of prominence than ever before. There were several other directors throughout the years. In 2012, Tamara Rajo, The Royal Ballet's principal dancer, became the new director.

The English National Ballet has some of the world's finest dancers who put up spectacular shows every time they perform. If you want to see the best of Ballet, grab your English National Ballet tickets today!