Strictly judge to star in Ballet Shoes
Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke is to star in the National Theatre’s tour of hit show Ballet Shoes coming to the Edinburgh Playhouse and Glasgow King’s theatres in October next year, 2027.
Tickets go on general sale this Thursday, 24 September, at 10am for the reimagining of Noel Streatfeild’s beloved novel, adapted for the stage by Kendall Feaver and directed by Katy Rudd. Du Beke will make his National Theatre debut playing Great Uncle Matthew and Fidolia.
Anton Du Beke who is to play Great Uncle Matthew in the UK tour of Ballet Shoes. Pic: Matt Crockett.
Ballet Shoes has had two successful runs at the National Theatre and will be going out on UK tour for the first time in 2027.
It will open in Aylesbury in August, visiting the Edinburgh Playhouse Tue 19 to Sat 23 October (tickets) and the Glasgow King’s the following week, Tue 26 – Sat 30 Oct 2027 (tickets), in a tour that is booked through to February 2028
Due to Du Beke’s Strictly television commitments, he will only be performing Monday to Friday during the Autumn dates, which include the Playhouse and Glasgow King’s. Further casting details will be announced at a later date.
Director Katy Rudd spoke of her excitement at going back to the production, saying “Ballet Shoes is a much-loved story written by Noel Streatfeild about three young, orphaned girls who, despite the odds, learn to pursue their individual passions, build their futures and do it for themselves.
“A revolutionary idea in the 1930s when the book first appeared and still very potent today.”
joyful
Actor Anton du Beke says that he took his family to see Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre, where he fell in love with the show.
“It was such a beautiful, joyful production,” he says, “and when I was given the opportunity to be part of it, I jumped at the chance.
“I couldn’t wait to step into that world and be a part of the magic. It gives me an exciting opportunity to test myself further as an actor – and dance and family are at the core, the two most important things to me.”
Nina Cassells (Pauline), Sienna Arif-Knights (Petrova) and Scarlett Monahan (Posy) in Ballet Shoes at at the National Theatre in 2025. Pic: Alastair Muir.
Ballet Shoes follows three adopted sisters – Pauline, Petrova and Posy – who live in a crumbling house full of dinosaur bones and fossils, where they are learning who they are and discovering who they want to be.
Under the watchful eyes and guidance of their new guardians and some unlikely lodgers, they fight to pursue their individual passions: but in a world that wasn’t built for women with big ambitions, can they forge a future, keep their family together, and even learn a dance or two along the way?
transformational
Rudd adds: “I love this story because it shows us the transformational power of the arts to change lives. The arts help us to work out who we are, find empathy and community with others and build resilience to overcome the obstacles in our way.
“These ideas are central to the children in this story – and – importantly, to young people up and down our country today. I can’t wait for people to experience Kendall Feaver’s gorgeous adaptation of Ballet Shoes; it has something for everyone. It is an uplifting and magical family show. It will make you laugh, cry and fall in love with the theatre.”
Listings
Ballet Shoes
Edinburgh Playhouse, 18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA.
Tue 19 – Sat 23 Oct 2027
Tue – Sat: 7pm; Wed, Thur, Sat mats: 2pm.
Tickets and details: Book here from 10am Thu 24 Sept.
Glasgow King’s Theatre, 297 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4JN
Tue 26 – Sat 30 Oct 2027
Tue – Sat: 7pm; Wed, Thur, Sat mats: 2pm.
Tickets and details: Book here from 10am Thu 24 Sept.
Waterside Theatre
Sadler’s Wells
Theatre Royal
Marlowe Theatre
Theatre Royal
Hippodrome
Playhouse
Kings Theatre
Festival Theatre
Hippodrome
Empire Theatre
Lowry
New Theatre
Empire Theatre
Milton Keynes Theatre
Mayflower Theatre
Justin Salinger (Great Uncle Matthew) in Ballet Shoes at at the National Theatre in 2025. Pic: Alastair Muir.
ENDS