London City Ballet: Firebird - a Mixed Bill

London City Ballet are bringing a double bill to York Theatre Royal on Friday 18 September, with guest ballerina Alina Cojocaru joining them. It's a mixed bill, so you get two separate works in one evening rather than a single full-length production. The whole thing runs about an hour and fifty minutes.

The first half is Firebird, a gothic take on the story by choreographer Glen Tetley, who's celebrating his centenary. It was originally created for the Royal Danish Ballet, and the designs have been revisited by Olivier Award-winner John Macfarlane. The second half is Ghost Light, a 2020 version by John Neumeier, and this is its first time being performed outside the Hamburg Ballet. Between the two, you've got a piece that's a reimagining of a known story and another that's a more recent work making its way beyond its original company.

As for the company itself, London City Ballet is in its third season. They were once the resident company at Sadler's Wells and have been recognised by the Critics' Circle at the National Dance Awards. They're touring this double bill throughout 2026, so the York stop is one of several dates on the road.

If you're planning to go, there are a few options to choose from. The first performance is on Friday 18 September at 19:30, and then on Saturday 19 September there's a matinee at 14:30 followed by another evening show at 19:30. It's a paid event, and you can book tickets through the York Theatre Royal website. The production is suitable for children from age five upwards, so it works as a family outing as much as a night out for ballet fans.