The National Ballet of Japan Makes Its Royal Opera House Debut
This summer, the National Ballet of Japan – a resident company at the New National Theatre Tokyo – will grace the stage of London’s Royal Opera House for the first time, marking its highly anticipated debut at Covent Garden. This historic occasion also represents the first time in over 15 years that an Asian dance company has performed on the main stage of the Royal Opera House.
The performances will serve as a homecoming for Miyako Yoshida, the company’s Artistic Director, who was the first Japanese ballerina to be named a Principal Dancer of The Royal Ballet. As part of this milestone event, the company will present the European premiere of Yoshida’s production of Giselle.
Giselle (Photo credti: Takashi Shikama)
The National Ballet of Japan will stage five performances of its acclaimed Giselle, reimagined by Yoshida, who made history as the first Japanese ballerina to hold the title of Principal Dancer at both the Birmingham Royal Ballet (1988–1995) and The Royal Ballet (1995–2010). Recognised for her contributions to dance, she was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2007.
Miyako Yoshida (Photo credti: Jörgen Axelvall)
Reflecting on this momentous occasion, Yoshida shares:
“It is with immense joy and gratitude that I bring our national company to the theatre and the city that shaped me as a dancer. It is also with great pride that I witness Japanese dancers flourishing at every level of The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and The Royal Ballet School—something I could never have imagined when I first arrived in Britain as a young student in 1983. With our production of Giselle, I hope London audiences will recognise a familiar blend of natural lyricism and virtuosic brilliance, enhanced by our distinct musicality and refinement.”
Royal Opera House (Photo credit: Luke Hayes)
Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, also celebrates the occasion, stating:
“Miyako and I have known each other since our days as students at The Royal Ballet School and as young dancers at Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet. Her extraordinary achievements have inspired an entire generation of Japanese dancers, now represented in the upper ranks of major ballet companies worldwide. As a Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet, she was a beloved artist and a perfect ambassador for the enduring friendship between Japan and the UK. We are delighted to welcome the National Ballet of Japan to the Royal Opera House next summer.”
The company’s production of Giselle, choreographed by Miyako Yoshida with additional staging and choreography by British choreographer Alastair Marriott, will bring fresh artistic insight to this beloved 19th-century classic. Award-winning British designer Dick Bird has crafted a striking set inspired by Lithuania’s hauntingly beautiful Hill of Crosses, providing a poignant backdrop for this timeless tale of love, betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption.
About National Ballet of Japan
Founded in 1997, the National Ballet of Japan is the resident dance company of the New National Theatre in Tokyo and remains Japan’s only state-funded ballet company. With a company of 75 full-time dancers, it boasts a diverse repertoire that includes 19th-century classics, masterpieces by Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Roland Petit, and Kenneth MacMillan, as well as contemporary works by Christopher Wheeldon, David Bintley, Nacho Duato, and Will Tuckett. The company made its international debut at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center in 2008, followed by a season at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre in 2009. Since the 2020/21 season, Miyako Yoshida has served as its Artistic Director, guiding the company to new heights.
For those unable to experience this landmark production in London from 24 – 27 Jul, the National Ballet of Japan warmly invites audiences to witness Giselle in Tokyo from 10 –20 Apr.
10 – 20 Apr 2025/ New National Theatre, Tokyo
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/english/productions/ballet-dance/giselle.html
24 – 27 Jul 2025 / Royal Opera House, London
https://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/national-ballet-of-japan-giselle-details