After a magical two-week run, My First Ballet: Swan Lake has officially wrapped at the Peacock Theatre — and what a season it was! This enchanting production delighted audiences across 23 performances, including family matinees and evening shows.

“ENBS, under the artistic direction of Lynne Charles, is on an upward trajectory. Footwork has gained more clarity, more strength and personalities are being encouraged and developed. This presents in a more professional overall look.” – Deborah Weiss, bachtrack

Presented by English National Ballet in partnership with English National Ballet School, My First Ballet introduces the beauty of classical dance to young audiences. It clearly fulfilled its mission, with children literally jumping out of their seats to cheer on Prince Siegfried, hiding under parents’ jackets at the sight of Rothbart, and practising pirouettes at intermission.

A Stage for Rising Stars

For our students, My First Ballet: Swan Lake is more than a performance, it’s a powerful stepping stone. This production gives graduate students the chance to dance leading and ensemble roles on a professional stage, gaining valuable theatre experience in front of live audiences. It’s also an opportunity for the year group to come together, work as a team and experience the energy that a live production generates.

From graceful pas de deux to dynamic corps de ballet work, the grads brought this beloved story to life with poise, artistry, and growing confidence. For many, this marks the first time performing for such large audiences — and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Opening Stage Door to sign autographs for the keen young audience members was a particular thrill for the students, enabling them to experience first-hand the joy ballet brings to so many.

Making Ballet Accessible

A core goal of My First Ballet is to introduce classical dance to families and first-time audiences. The production is specially adapted for younger viewers, shortened to under 90 minutes, narrated for clarity, and choreographed with storytelling at its heart.

This year’s run included:

• A BSL-interpreted performance

• A relaxed performance

• An audio-described show and touch tour

These thoughtful additions ensured that more children and families could experience the joy of ballet in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Over a Decade of First Ballets

Since its inception in 2012 My First Ballet has introduced over 350,000 people to the art form. For many children, this is their first time in a theatre, watching a live ballet, and we’re extremely proud ENBS dancers are at the heart of that magical first memory.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our Artistic team, Juan Eymar and Ibrahim Önal lead by Artistic Director, Lynne Charles and our wonderful support staff, including Bethanie Harrison and Paulo Gomes, who have been working behind the scenes for months to bring this incredible production to life, alongside English National Ballet company staff.

Plus a special thanks to the Peacock Theatre and English National Ballet and everyone behind the scenes.

Finally, to the students, to say we are extremely proud is an understatement, let the reviews speak for themselves!

“It has been amazing to see the growth and artistic development in the students from show to show. We did 11 shows in 4 days. The consensus is they look like professional dancers, but in fact they’re 18 and students, so this is wonderful.” – Lynne Charles, Artistic Director

“My First Ballet is performed by students of English National Ballet School and its Young Artists Development Programme, who do a wonderful job of negotiating Antonio Castilla’s choreography, which doesn’t spare them the difficulties of the original, not even the notoriously difficult Black Swan pas de deux, with its regulation 32 fouettés, which challenges even seasoned professionals.” – Teresa Guerreiro, balletposition.com