Ballet Shoes – Olivier, National Theatre

Nadine Higgin, Scarlett Monahan, Nina Cassells and Sienna Arif-Knights in Ballet Shoes at the Olivier, National Theatre. Picture: Alastair Muir

Ballet Shoes continues at the Olivier, National Theatre, London until 21 February 2026.

Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

It’s a powerful thing, discovering something you enjoy.

Noel Streatfeild’s beloved story Ballet Shoes returns to the Olivier Theatre after a glittering run in 2024. This new version by Olivier-nominated playwright Kendall Feaver is as inventive as it is heartfelt. From the moment you step into the auditorium, the show works its magic. Dancers drift through the audience before curtain-up, teaching pliés to delighted adults and children alike. Watching grown-ups gamely bend their knees alongside children buzzing with wonder is a joy and sets the tone for a fun-filled evening.

The set resembling Darwin’s laboratory – cluttered with skeletons, trinkets and prehistoric diagrams – captures the imagination. Throughout the performance we see it transform effortlessly from the much-loved but often-in-need-of-repairs Fossil family home to a dance studio, theatre and even the “road to Croydon aerodrome!”

The cast is charming across the board. Special praise must go to Justin Salinger, who plays multiple roles with impeccable comedic timing, from the hapless Professor Gum trekking across the globe and collecting babies for Sylvia and Nana to care for, to the flamboyant Russian dance teacher Fidolia, mentor to aspiring ballerina Posy.

Throughout the play, Ballet Shoes shows real respect for the capacity of its younger audiences. There is a standout exchange between Pauline and ‘Lady’ Dr Jakes, played brilliantly by Nina Cassells and Pandora Colin, in which Dr Jakes speaks openly about loving a woman recently passed. Her story of grief and the discrimination she has endured is delivered with honesty and without hesitation.

That spirit carries through the whole production. We see the Fossil sisters passionate about ballet, theatre and motor cars, but there is also room for their anxieties about the family’s money troubles, for arguments, loss and learning the delicate balance between confidence and humility. There are moments when you wonder whether young audiences are taking it all in, or if it might be too much. But that is the power of a story like this: it teaches us, at any age, how to express our emotions, understand our past and chart a path toward what we want.

Petrova – played with great heart by Sienna Arif Knights – may be overshadowed by her sisters’ talents, yet she becomes the quiet anchor when things get tough. Her instinct to problem solve and organise resonates deeply. It is striking how Ballet Shoes reveals the early expectations placed on girls to nurture and carry responsibility, handled here with compassion rather than judgement.

Katy Rudd’s production of Ballet Shoes is a celebration of curiosity, courage and the joy of discovering what lights you up. It is as empowering as it is entertaining: a lovingly crafted production that leaves you fuller, warmer and a little more alive.

Elisha Owen