The ballet orchestra in London you need to see

The Varna International Ballet and Orchestra is set to grace the UK once again with a captivating tour in 2025, following their astounding debut in 2023.

Ballet enthusiasts and newcomers alike will be enchanted by timeless productions of Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Romeo and Juliet as the esteemed company visits 20 venues across the UK.

Founded in 1947, the Varna International Ballet is celebrated for its award-winning soloists and exceptional corps de ballet, known for delivering performances of unparalleled quality in Bulgaria and internationally. Under the artistic direction of Daniela Dimova and the musical guidance of Chief Conductor Peter Tuleshkov, the company is poised to charm British audiences with its revered repertoire.

Artistic Director Daniela Dimova expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming tour, stating, “We are thrilled to be bringing our highly talented company of dancers and musicians back to the UK. We can’t wait to perform for British audiences again and to bring these magical ballets to life on stage.”

The 2025 tour kicks off in Manchester on 2nd January and will journey through Buxton, Bristol, Liverpool, Blackpool, Edinburgh, and many more, culminating in Northampton on 5th March. Each performance promises to deliver the enchantment and elegance that define the art of ballet.

For those eager to witness Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, audiences will be whisked away to a magical realm on Christmas Eve, where toy dolls spring to life, battles ensue, and a journey through the Land of Snow awaits. Swan Lake, often hailed as the greatest romantic ballet, will mesmerise with its haunting score and breathtaking choreography, while Romeo and Juliet offers a poignant portrayal of love and tragedy, set to Prokofiev’s soaring composition.

For further details, interviews, press tickets, or images, contact Caroline Ansdell at CAPR via caroline@capr.co.uk.

Full tour details:

MANCHESTER

• The Bridgewater Hall
  • Bridgewater-hall.co.uk
  • 2 Jan: Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7pm
  • 3 Jan: Swan Lake 2.30pm & 7pm

BUXTON Opera House

• buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
  • 4 Jan: Swan Lake 2pm & 7pm
  • 5 Jan: Nutcracker 2pm & 5.30pm

BRISTOL Hippodrome

• atgtickets.com/Bristol
  • 7 Jan: Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
  • 8 Jan: Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm
  • 9 Jan: Swan Lake 7.30pm

LIVERPOOL Empire Theatre

• atgtickets.com/Liverpool
  • 10 Jan: Swan Lake 7.30pm
  • 11 Jan: Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre

• blackpoolgrand.co.uk
  • 13 Jan: Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
  • 14 Jan: Swan Lake 7.30pm
  • 15 Jan: Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

EDINBURGH Playhouse

• atgtickets.com/Edinburgh
  • 16 Jan: Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
  • 17 Jan: Swan Lake 7.30pm
  • 18 Jan: Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

BASINGSTOKE The Anvil

• anvilarts.org.uk
  • 21 Jan: Nutcracker 7.30pm
  • 22 Jan: Swan Lake 7.30pm

IPSWICH Regent Theatre

• ipswichregenttheatres.co.uk
  • 23 Jan: Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
  • 24 Jan: Swan Lake 7.30pm
  • 25 Jan: Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion

• thecliffspavilion.co.uk
  • 26 Jan: Nutcracker 2pm & 5.30pm

BRIGHTON Theatre Royal

• atgtickets.com/brighton
  • 27 Jan: Romeo and Juliet 7.45pm
  • 28 Jan: Swan Lake 7.45pm
  • 29 Jan: Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.45pm

NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall

• trch.co.uk
  • 30 Jan: Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
  • 31 Jan: Swan Lake 7.30pm
  • 1 Feb: Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

READING The Hexagon

• whatsonreading.com
  • 2 Feb: Nutcracker 2pm & 5.30pm
  • 3 Feb: Swan Lake 7.30pm

OXFORD New Theatre

• atgtickets.com/oxford
  • 5 Feb: Nutcracker 7.30pm
  • 6 Feb: Swan Lake 2.30pm & 7.30pm
  • 7 Feb: Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm

DARLINGTON Hippodrome

• darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
  • 8 Feb: Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm
  • 9 Feb: Swan Lake 2.30pm
  • 10 Feb: Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm

WIMBLEDON New Theatre

• atgtickets.com/Wimbledon
  • 13 Feb: Swan Lake 7.30pm
  • 14 Feb: Swan Lake 7.30pm
  • 15 Feb: Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

NORWICH Theatre Royal

• norwichtheatre.org
  • 17 Feb: Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
  • 18 Feb: Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm
  • 19 Feb: Swan Lake 2.30pm & 7.30pm

HULL New Theatre

• hulltheatres.co.uk
  • 20 Feb: Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
  • 21 Feb: Swan Lake 7.30pm
  • 22 Feb: Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

SHEFFIELD City Hall

• Sheffieldcityhall.co.uk
  • 23 Feb: Swan Lake 3.30pm
  • 24 Feb: Swan Lake 7.30pm

LEICESTER De Montfort Hall

• demontfordhall.co.uk
  • 27 Feb: Nutcracker 7.30pm
  • 28 Feb: Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
  • 1 Mar: Swan Lake 2.30pm & 7.30pm

NORTHAMPTON Royal & Derngate

• royalandderngate.co.uk
  • 3 Mar: Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
  • 4 Mar: Swan Lake 7.30pm
  • 5 Mar: Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the magic of Varna International Ballet’s exquisite performances as they bring these beloved classics to life across the UK. Secure your tickets and prepare to be transported into a world of grace, elegance, and timeless storytelling.