Press Contact: Megan Stone
18 March 2025
English National Ballet has today announced its 2025-26 season, including the national premiere of Body & Soul which will mark the company’s first visit to Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) in 36 years.
Body & Soul is the season’s second new programme, with performances at Sadler’s Wells in March 2026 followed by its run at TRP from 30 April – 02 May 2026. The last time English National Ballet performed on The Lyric stage at TRP was in 1990.
The bill includes a world premiere from rising talent and acclaimed commercial dancer Kameron N. Saunders, whose recent work includes performing with Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan. Saunders brings his fresh choreographic voice to the UK stage with a work examining how we find our authentic self in the face of crushing societal pressure and expectation. A new score composed by Brandon Finklea and Harold Walker III will be played by English National Ballet Philharmonic, conducted by Maria Seletskaja.
The UK premiere of Body and Soul (Part 1) from Crystal Pite is recognised as one of today’s most original choreographic talents. Pite uses her distinctive blend of precision and fluidity to create a mesmerising work exploring the human response to bereavement.
Body & Soul will premiere at TRP in April 2026, demonstrating English National Ballet’s commitment to broadening access to new and innovative work.
English National Ballet’s Artistic Director, Aaron S. Watkin, said: “Body & Soul sees the creative synergy of an emerging choreographic talent and one of today’s most boundary-pushing dance makers, reimagining the possibilities of ballet. Together, Kameron and Crystal infuse the stage with innovation and creativity in this powerful double bill, promising an unforgettable experience for us all.”
Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Chief Executive and Executive Producer, James Mackenzie-Blackman, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome English National Ballet back to Theatre Royal Plymouth after nearly four decades. It is an incredible honour to host the national premiere of Body & Soul. This landmark event not only highlights our commitment to bringing world-class productions to our stage but also reinforces Plymouth’s place as a major destination for outstanding dance and performance. We can’t wait for a whole new generation of audiences to experience this breathtaking work and to celebrate this exciting new chapter with English National Ballet.”
Tickets for Body & Soul will go on sale soon. Visit www.theatreroyal.com to keep up to date with TRP news.
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