Initial casting announced for 'Ballet Shoes' at the National Theatre

Playing the three Fossil sisters are Sienna Arif-Knights as Petrova Fossil, Nina Cassells as Pauline Fossil, and Scarlett Monahan as Posy Fossil.

Summary

• Kendall Feaver’s adaptation of the children's book returns to the National Theatre this Christmas
• The three Fossil sisters will be played by Sienna Arif-Knights Nina Cassells and Scarlett Monahan
• The show forms part of Indhu Rubasingham’s inaugural season at the London venue

Initial casting has been revealed for the festive return of Kendall Feaver’s National Theatre adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s Ballet Shoes. Performances begin in the Olivier theatre on 25 November, running through 21 February 2026.

Playing the three Fossil sisters are Sienna Arif-Knights as Petrova Fossil, Nina Cassells as Pauline Fossil, and Scarlett Monahan as Posy Fossil.

Also joining the cast are Raj Bajaj as Jai, Chrissy Brooke as Young Manoff/(The)Ballerina/Ensemble, Pandora Colin as Dr Jakes, Gracie Hodson-Prior as Winifred, Lesley Nicol as Nana, and Anoushka Lucas as Sylvia, with Rosie Boore, Kaitlyn Moore, Anu Ogunmefun in the ensemble and Stephanie Elstob, Sebastian Goffin, and Suzy Osadchyi as swings.

Returning cast members include Eryck Brahmania as Prince, Luke Cinque-White as Flyman, Georges Hann as Flyman, Nadine Higgin as Theo, Xolisweh Ana Richards as Katerina Federovksy, Justin Salinger as Great Uncle Matthew/Fidolia/Mr French/Mr Sholsky/Madame Manoff, and Katie Singh in the Ensemble.

Directed by Katy Rudd, the festive show tells the story of three adopted sisters – Pauline, Petrova and Posy – who are learning who they want to be as the grow up, each fighting to pursue their individual passions.

The rest of the creative team includes set designer Frankie Bradshaw, costume designer Samuel Wyer, choreographer Ellen Kane, composer Asaf Zohar, dance arrangements and orchestrations Gavin Sutherland, lighting designer Paule Constable, sound designer Ian Dickinson for Autograph, video designer Ash J Woodward, illusions Chris Fisher, classical coach Cira Robinson, dialect coach Penny Dyer, and voice coach Cathleen McCarron.

More cast is still to be announced.

Book Ballet Shoes tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Anoushka Lucas, Nina Cassells, Scarlett Monahan, and Sienna Arif-Knights. (Courtesy of production)