English National Ballet

English National Ballet was founded in 1950 by prima ballerina Alicia Markova and impresario Julian Braunsweg under the name Festival Ballet, later London Festival Ballet. The company was established with a mission to bring world-class ballet to audiences beyond the traditional centres of the art form, touring extensively across the United Kingdom and abroad.

In 1989 the company was renamed English National Ballet, reflecting its identity as one of the country’s leading ballet institutions. Today ENB performs across the UK and internationally, with a home base at the Mulryan Centre for Dance in east London, which opened in 2019 as the company’s purpose-built creative home. The venue houses rehearsal studios, production facilities, and the ENB School.

Under Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin, who took the role in 2023, English National Ballet has continued its tradition of ambitious programming that spans the classical canon and contemporary commissions. The company is known for spectacular large-scale productions including its perennial Nutcracker and Swan Lake, alongside significant new works by choreographers such as Akram Khan, whose Giselle became one of the most acclaimed contemporary ballet creations of recent years.

ENB maintains a strong commitment to community engagement and access, delivering education programmes and outreach work throughout the UK. The company is one of the largest ballet companies in the country by number of performances, reaching audiences across London, regional venues, and international stages. Its mixed repertoire encompasses classical ballet, narrative works, and contemporary dance, underpinned by a permanent company of over 70 dancers.