Summer Performances 2026
A highlight of our year-long centenary celebrations, our annual Summer Performances celebrate the passion and dedication that our remarkable students apply to their training throughout the year. Featuring dancers aged 11 to 19, this is a unique opportunity for you to witness the next generation of ballet artists take to the stage.
To mark the School’s centenary, Artistic Director Iain Mackay has curated a special programme that will embrace the classical heritage for which the School is renowned, alongside works by budding student choreographers and alumni choreographers who have shaped the art form in the 21st century.
Students from all years of the School will perform eight times across three venues: the Next Generation Festival at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre, Opera Holland Park, and the Royal Opera House main stage.
Programme highlights include:
- Sir Peter Wright’s Swan Lake Act II
- Founder Dame Ninette de Valois’ Checkmate Suite
- Christopher Wheeldon’s Christening Suite
- New creations by David Bintely, Cathy Marston, Jessica Lang, Andrew McNicol and Kristen McNally
- New creations by students selected through the Ninette de Valois Choreographic Programme.
The performance will close with the spectacular Grand Défilé, uniting all 228 students of the School together on stage to celebrate a century of excellence in ballet education.
Dates
Next Generation Festival
Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House
Tuesday 16 June, 19.15 Sold out
Wednesday 17 June, 19.15 Sold out
Thursday 18 June, 19.15
Friday 19 June, 19.15
Opera Holland Park
Ilchester Place, London
Wednesday 8 July, 19.00
Thursday 9 July, 19.00
Friday 10 July, 19.00
Saturday 11 July, 14.00
Saturday 11 July, 19.00
Opera Holland Park offer
10% off for groups of 6+ will automatically apply when there are 6 tickets in the basket
Royal Opera House matinee
Main stage, Royal Opera House
Saturday 18 July 2026, 12.00
Sold out
Summer Performance news
2nd Year students Harry and Maria on reuniting with choreographer Jessica Lang for our 2026 Summer Performances When Artistic Director Iain Mackay announced the 2026 Summer Performance programme early in the autumn term, 2nd Year students Harry and Maria were thrilled to learn that they would continue working with acclaimed international choreographer Jessica Lang. Jessica worked with the pair and their classmates last year, when she created Sweet Morning Blooms for our 2025 Summer […]
Choreographer Jessica Lang returns with a new work inspired by Dame Ninette de Valois’ poems for the School’s 2026 Summer Performances Choreographer Jessica Lang returns to the School for the second consecutive year to create a new work for the centenary edition of our annual Summer Performances. It’s so exciting to be a part of the centenary celebration. I’m super honoured as an American to be contributing to this programme to honour the School’s legacy. Jessica is working with […]
The School launches 2026 centenary campaign to celebrate 100 years of nurturing the next generation We are thrilled to reveal The Royal Ballet School’s centenary campaign as we prepare to celebrate 100 years in 2026. In 1926, founder Dame Ninette de Valois created a foundation that would transform British ballet for years to come. A […]
In review: 2025 Summer Performance at the Royal Opera House Saturday 12 July marked the final show of our 2025 Summer Performance season on the Royal Opera House main stage, following two stellar performances at the Linbury Theatre and five at Opera Holland Park. Each year, our students exceed expectations, bringing energy, passion and immense […]
Overheard at Opera Holland Park: student soundbites from backstage We have now wrapped up our annual Summer Performances with our students performing a selection of new choreographies and classical works. These performances are a highlight of the school year, marking the debuts of some students and the final bows of others. We went backstage at […]
Our sponsor
Since Kinoshita Group was established in 1990, it has conducted its business based on the corporate philosophy of being a ‘comprehensive lifestyle company’ that is always close to people and is always there for them. Today, the Group consists of 23 companies in the core business areas of housing, healthcare and welfare, and entertainment.
In addition to providing a better living environment, they believe that in order for people to lead more colourful lives, it is of utmost importance to enrich them both physically and spiritually. This is why Kinoshita Group has been passionately involved in supporting the arts and culture to date. In particular, they have been supporting Japanese students at The Royal Ballet School since 2017 as part of their educational support activities in the field of sports and elite performance. Kinoshita Group are proud that their talented students receive the best education at The Royal Ballet School and become artists who excel on the international stage after graduation.
Kinoshita Group are Centenary Corporate Partner of The Royal Ballet School
