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Ballet

The Mad Hatter's Tea Party

The Royal Ballet and Opera

  • Date night
  • Great for groups
  • Family-friendly
Date
Fri, 20 Aug 2027
Time
19:00
Venue
Royal Opera House
City
London
Tickets
See booking site
Book tickets ↗

You'll be taken to the ensemble's official site.

Summary

The Royal Ballet and Opera performs The Mad Hatter's Tea Party at the Royal Opera House.

Why it's fantastic

Kate Prince reimagines Wonderland as a high-energy dance drama, swapping traditional orchestral scores for the beats of DJ Walde and Josh Cohen. It is a sharp, contemporary take on a familiar fable that replaces classical conventions with the vibrant movement and urban sounds of modern London.

Good to know

When to clap
Clap after solos and at the end of each scene

Our guide to this performance

What you'll hear

We are invited into a reimagined version of a familiar fable, where the traditional ballet vocabulary is replaced by the pulse and energy of contemporary urban movement. You will hear a departure from the usual orchestral sounds of this house, as the performance is built around the modern beats of DJ Walde and Josh Cohen. This sonic landscape shapes a high-energy dance drama that mirrors the frantic and eccentric spirit of the story. Rather than ethereal strings, you should listen for the rhythmic complexity and heavy basslines that drive the narrative forward. The evening is structured to highlight the distinct personalities of the characters through sharp, physical storytelling that feels deeply connected to the sounds of current London. You will notice how the choreography interacts with these electronic textures to create a sense of constant momentum, transforming the stage into a lively, percussive environment that feels quite different from a classical production.

Who's performing

The Royal Ballet and Opera performs this production at their home ground in Covent Garden. While this ensemble is famous for its long history of classical excellence, they are also known for pushing the boundaries of dance by collaborating with innovative choreographers and contemporary composers. Based in the heart of London, the company frequently balances a repertoire of grand heritage works with modern dramas that reflect the city's diverse culture. The dancers are recognised for their versatility, bringing technical precision to a range of styles from traditional pointe work to the street-influenced movement seen in this staging.

Planning your evening

This performance takes place at the Royal Opera House in London. As a ballet that uses modern music and a high-energy approach to a well-known story, it is a suitable choice if you are a first-time visitor or prefer a contemporary alternative to nineteenth-century classics. The venue does not specify a dress code, though many visitors choose smart-casual attire. The running time has not been confirmed for this specific date, so you may wish to check the schedule closer to your visit. No vocal language or surtitles are required for this dance-led production.

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.

Programme

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