Anton Du Beke swaps ballroom for ballet next summer

Directed by Katy Rudd, the National Theatre’s acclaimed production of Ballet Shoes will tour the UK next year, with performances running until January 2028.

The first stop on the much-anticipated tour is the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury on 19th August 2027, before the cast heads to Sadler’s Wells in London. A total of 16 venues are booked for the productions run, with more dates and full casting expected to be announced at a later date.

Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer-turned-judge, Anton Du Beke will be playing the eccentric Great Uncle Matthew, as well as the retired Russian ballerina Madame Fidolia during select performances.

Tour dates

About Ballet Shoes

Based on the 1936 book by Noel Streatfeild, and adapted for the stage by Kendall Feaver, Ballet Shoes tells the classic tale of palaeontologist, Great Uncle Matthew who adopts three orphaned girls - Pauline, Petrova and Posy.

The adopted sisters are enrolled in a dance and drama academy, where each pursues their own ambitions, tests their perseverance, and learn a dance or two along the way.

“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.”

Katy Rudd, director 

The critically acclaimed Ballet Shoes first opened at the National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre in 2024 where it run until February 2025. The new tour will be the first time the production has been performed outside of London. 

About Anton Du Beke

Anton Du Beke is best known for his work on Strictly Come Dancing, originally joining the cast for the first series in 2004 as a professional dancer, and returning each season since. Du Beke stepped into the judge’s seat in 2020, before he was offered a permanent chair in 2021.

Anton has been confirmed to be performing at 11 different venues along the tour of Ballet Shoes, including shows in London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol.

On joining the cast, Anton said: “I took my family to see Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre, and I completely fell in love with the show. 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.”

As relevant as ever

Director Katy Rudd, who recently directed the acclaimed production of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and will be directing Emma Thompson’s brand-new musical adaptation of Nanny McPhee in the West End added: “After two successful runs at the National Theatre, I am excited to share Ballet Shoes with an even bigger audience as it embarks on its first tour of the UK.”

The story was pioneering in the 1930s as it put the ambitions of young girls at the forefront. On why it still feels relevant in 2026, Katy said: “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.”

Priority booking will open for select venues on 18th September 2026, while other venues will release tickets shortly.