2025 Programme
Following a highly successful tour in 2024, Ballet Central returns in 2025 with a brand-new company of dancers and a revitalising programme of classical ballet and contemporary dance. The first piece in the 2025 summer programme is Frederick Ashton’s majestic Foyer de Danse. Staged for the first time in over 90 years, the ballet brings Edgar Degas paintings to life and has been reconstructed and staged by Ursual Hageli in collaboration with The Frederick Ashton Foundation. In contrast, Ballet Central presents two new contemporary commissions by Dickson Mbi and Thick & Tight. Vastly energetic, Mbi takes influence from his success as a Hip Hop dancer and his signature popping style. Thick & Tight’s theatrical work Keeping Up with the Apocalypse, will combine dance, theatre and mime, whilst commenting on social and political current affairs. The final instalment in this vibrant new programme is Kristen McNally’s modern ballet, sure to charm audiences and showcase the talent of Central School of Ballet’s graduating cohort of 2025. Continue reading to find out more about this year’s repertoire…
Foyer de Danse
Choreographed by Frederick Ashton. Reconstructed and staged by Ursula Hageli
Founder and choreographer of The Royal Ballet, Frederick Ashton (1904-88) was one of the most influential dance figures of the 20th century. Through his work with the company he developed the distinctive ‘English style’ and left a vast repertoire of works that continue to be performed by The Royal Ballet and companies worldwide. ,These include La Fille mal gardée, Marrguerite and Armand and The Two Pigeons, the latter performed by Ballet Central in 2023.
Ursula Hageli was born in Zurich before moving to the UK to train at The Royal Ballet School. Over a performing career spanning more than 30 years, she danced most of the leading classical roles and had many roles created for her. Her professional career began in New York at the age of 17 with Stuttgart Ballet. After retiring from performance, she transitioned to teaching and became Ballet Mistress of The Royal Ballet in 2005.
Ursula Hageli has been dedicated to reconstructing and staging Ashton’s lost ballet Foyer de Danse. Following over 10 years of research, Ballet Central will have the opportunity to perform this piece as part of this year’s tour.
Keeping Up with the Apocalypse
Choreographed by Thick & Tight
Thick & Tight is an award-winning dance theatre company based in the UK, co-directed by Daniel Hay-Gordon and El Perry. Daniel and El create a mix of dance, mime, theatre, satire and drag, taking influence from a wide range of historical, political, literary and artistic subjects. At the heart of Thick & Tight’s practice, steered by a queer identity and perspective, is the intention to open up restrictive and elitist ideas of ‘artistic excellence’ and to explore dance as a political art form with the power to entertain while challenging social stigma.
Keeping Up with the Apocalypse is a new commission for Ballet Central, a poignant and sophisticated work that explores social and political controversies. Years ahead in the future of Planet Earth, only one species remains, thriving in a desolate post-apocalyptic landscape. The Kardashians! Famous for being famous and living on money alone, they dominate a decimated planet. A meditation on greed, vanity and the absurdity of a species bringing about its own undoing.
Music – Nixon In China by John Adams
New Commissions
Two exciting new commissions will form part of the 2025 tour…
Kristen McNally is an English dancer and choreographer, and a Principal Character Artist of The Royal Ballet. Kristen has an extensive performance career with The Royal Ballet since 2002, where she performed under the roles of First Artist, Soloist and then Principal Character Artist. McNally’s regularly works with the Royal Opera House’s Learning and Participation department, with work including choreographing for Chance for Dance and co-presenting World Ballet Day. Other choreography work includes the ‘Tiny Dancer’ television advert for John Lewis (2015) and Lonesome Gun, Mad Women and Moonshine for New English Ballet Theatre. McNally choreographed The Limit for The Royal Ballet, which premiered in the Linbury Theatre in 2034/24 Season.
Dickson Mbi was born in Cameroon and grew up in London where he studied at Lewisham College and London Contemporary Dance School. He is a world-renowned dancer in the Hip Hop dance community and best known for his popping skills which is integral to the work that he creates today. As a leader in his community, Dickson focuses on fostering the future generations of dancers with his partner Brooke Milliner in their battle crews Prototype and FIYA HOUSE. As a choreographer, Dickson enjoys making works for other companies as well as presenting his own works under Dickson Mbi Company.
More information on these new works to come soon!
Discover more…
About Ballet Central
Find out more about the history of Ballet Central and its mission to provide Central’s graduating students the opportunity of professional performing experience to ticket-buying audiences.
Book Tickets
Our diverse repertoire appeals to first-time audiences and makes us a firm favourite amongst dance enthusiasts. Find out where to book tickets for a show near you here.
The Company
Meet the 2025 Ballet Central Company involving final year students at the Central School of Ballet.
The Creatives
Meet the 2025 creative team who will help bring the 2025 Ballet Central repertoire to life.
Support Us
By supporting the critically-acclaimed Ballet Central Company, you can give Central School of Ballet’s final year students a unique touring experience. Find out how you can help to make this a reality.
On Film
Here you will be able to see excerpts of selected repertoire from Ballet Central, Central’s graduate touring company, and trailers and special dance performances captured on film.