
MADDADDAM
The Royal Ballet and Opera
- Date night
- Great for groups
- Family-friendly
- Date
- Mon, 1 Mar 2027
- Time
- 19:30
- Venue
- Royal Opera House
- City
- London
- Tickets
- See booking site
You'll be taken to the ensemble's official site.
Summary
The Royal Ballet performs Maddaddam, a production inspired by Margaret Atwood’s trilogy, at the Royal Opera House.
Why it's fantastic
Max Richter provides the score for this production, which brings Margaret Atwood’s vision of a post-apocalyptic world to the stage. It is an ambitious collaboration involving costume designer Gareth Pugh, blending contemporary soundscapes with a narrative that questions what remains of humanity after a global collapse.
Our guide to this performance
What you'll hear
The production draws its narrative arc from Margaret Atwood’s dystopian literary trilogy, exploring themes of survival and human fragility after a societal collapse. You will hear a score by Max Richter, which combines electronic layers with traditional orchestral elements to create an immersive soundscape. The evening is shaped by a collaboration between contemporary choreography and striking aesthetic choices, including costumes by Gareth Pugh that reflect the harshness and isolation of a post-apocalyptic world. Listen for how the music transitions between moments of haunting solitude and more driving, propulsive movements that reflect the struggle of the remaining survivors. As the dancers navigate this reimagined landscape, the choreography focuses on the physical toll of environmental change and the search for connection in a fragmented world. The work balances high-concept design with a narrative that examines what defines humanity when the systems of the modern world have fallen away, creating a reflective atmosphere for the audience.
Who's performing
The Royal Ballet and Opera is the resident company of the Royal Opera House in London, widely respected for its commitment to both nineteenth-century heritage and the development of new artistic voices. Based at its historic home in Covent Garden, the ensemble is known for its versatility, moving between the demands of technical classicism and the innovative physicality required by modern commissions. By collaborating with contemporary composers and designers, the company continues to expand the reach of dance, maintaining a reputation for precision and large-scale dramatic storytelling that appeals to a global audience.
Planning your evening
This performance takes place at the Royal Opera House in London. As a full-scale ballet production featuring a modern score and a narrative based on popular contemporary literature, it is well-suited to those who enjoy seeing current fiction translated into physical performance. There is no specific dress code for this venue, though many visitors choose smart-casual attire. The running time has not been confirmed for this date, so you should check the final schedule closer to the performance for interval details and the expected finish time.
Written by the Bravura editorial team from the ensemble's published programme and venue information. We don't reproduce copy from box-office sites. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.


