The contemporary ballet based on the book by Christopher Isherwood will play at the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Linbury Theatre from the 8th to the 20th September.
It has been announced that following on from its premiere at the Manchester International Festival, Jonathan Watkins’s production of The Single Man will head to London for a limited season this September.
Forming part of the Royal Ballet and Opera’s 2025/26 Season in the Linbury Theatre, Christopher Isherwood’s classic novel has been transformed into a contemporary ballet presented by collaboration with singer-songwriter John Grant and composer Jasmin Kent Rodgman whose score is performed by the Manchester Collective.
The cast is led by former Royal Ballet Principal dancer Ed Watson who performs in the lead role of George, sharing the role with celebrated contemporary dancer Jonathan Goddard, expressing the physicality of George’s exterior life while John Grant performs a collection of exclusive new songs, live on stage, revealing George’s internal monologue.
Ed Watson will perform the central role of George on 8,11,12,15,16,18 and 20 September. Multi-award-winning dancer, choreographer, and movement director Jonathan Goddard will dance the role of George on 9,10,13,17 and 19 September and Jim at all other performances.
George is grieving after the sudden death of his long-term partner Jim. He wonders if life is still worth living and spends his day looking for ways to connect with the people around him. But there is another George: one who loves life. Can he reconcile these two parts of himself? Will a chance encounter remind him of joy?
The cast also includes Royal Ballet First Soloist James Hay as Kenny, and Royal Ballet Principal Character Artist Kristen McNally as Charley. The ensemble includes Harry Alexander, Naia Bautista, Laura Careless, Felicity Chadwick, Winnie Dias, Elle Fierce, Chester Hayes, Greig Matthews, Marie Astrid Mence, Nina Murphy and James Stephens.
Talking about the news, Jonathan Watkins, Director and Choreographer said: “This poetic novel is an inspiring and complex story of the human experience and what it means to be alive. It’s this and Isherwood’s approach to the relationship between mind and body that gives me the reasons to imagine it using dance narrative and song. Bringing the mind’s voice out in the production with the incredible singer-songwriter John Grant is a dream come true. To weave these new songs with the sound world of the brilliant composer Jasmin Kent Rodgman and work in collaboration with a highly talented group of dance artists and creatives to achieve this vision is truly an honour. I am passionate about Queer stories being represented on the stage in this way and proud that the production having premiered at Manchester International Festival will now receive its London premiere in the Linbury Theatre.”
The creative team features costume designer Eleanor Bull, with costume concepts by Oscar-winning Holly Waddington (Poor Things), set designer Chiara Stephenson – known for her work with SZA, Lorde, Florence + the Machine and Björk – as well as lighting designer Simisola Majekodunmi and Sound Designer Emma Laxton.
To book tickets visit: https://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/a-single-man-jonathan-watkins-details