The young dancers of London Children’s Ballet will showcase their talent and charm theatregoers of all ages in Anne of Green Gables at Peacock Theatre this July.
Pint-sized performers are set to share dramatic flair and youthful verve with this wholesome revival, bringing Canadian author Lucy Maud (LM) Montgomery’s treasured story to the stage. Considering the calibre of past productions – most recently, Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz-Age Cinderella – they will delight audience members with their passion and professionalism.
London Children’s Ballet (LCB) trusts in the transformative power of dance. Founded in 1994, by Lucille Briance (a mum motivated by a desire to find a community that her shy, dance-loving daughter could join), this unique organisation is a charity that aims to inspire children from all backgrounds through dance and introduce new audiences to ballet.
Each year, LCB chooses a timeless children’s story to present as a ballet and selects a cast of 50 talented youngsters aged 9 to 16 to participate in six months of rehearsals, culminating in the performance experience, all free of charge. Throughout the year, LCB’s outreach work also takes ballet into schools, care homes and special needs centres in and around London. This means it enriches the lives of both aspiring dancers and often-marginalised audiences.
Anne of Green Gables is an exciting revival from the company’s repertoire and is emblematic of the enduring family feel of LCB. Originally presented in 2022, it was the first LCB production to be devised under the artistic direction of Ruth Brill. The ballet’s scenario, based on the classic 1908 novel, was written by Zoë Vickerman and neatly condenses Anne’s adventures into two 40-minute acts. Ruth, who danced with English National Ballet (2007 to 2012) and Birmingham Royal Ballet (2012 to 2019) before focusing full time on choreography, is herself a former LCB company member. She credits her experience performing in four LCB productions as a child as the inspiration that led her into a career in dance. And Zoë is LCB founder Lucille’s daughter and danced in the first three LCB productions!
Full of drama and humour, Anne of Green Gables follows the mishaps and triumphs of Anne (with an ‘e’) Shirley, a lively and imaginative eleven-year-old orphan. Anne must quickly adjust to a new life when she is adopted by brother and sister Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert in the remote farming village of Avonlea. She gets herself into endless scrapes, but eventually wins over the community with her endearing personality and zest for life.
Theatregoers can expect a warm-hearted story ballet with characterful choreography and attractive designs. The onstage action will be accompanied by a live orchestra playing an enchanting original score.
Choreographer Jenna Lee (now co-artistic director of LCB, alongside Ruth Brill) is leading this revival. She danced with English National Ballet and is also a former LCB company member. Composer Gus Nicholson is classically trained (King’s College London, Royal College of Music) and works in television, film and theatre. Anne of Green Gables (2022) was his first ever ballet composition and he has added two sparkling new sections this year. Designer Elin Steele worked as a young design associate on Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet and has created designs for companies such as New English Ballet Theatre and Scottish Ballet.
The creative team aside, notable LCB alumni dancers include Royal Ballet principal Anna Rose O’Sullivan, English National Ballet first soloist James Streeter and choreographers Charlotte Edmonds and Arielle Smith. The company is undoubtedly committed to spotting and supporting talented youngsters, while sharing the joy of dance.
Whether you are a dance devotee with a keen interest in the future of British ballet or a busy parent with little ones to entertain, you won’t want to miss Anne of Green Gables.
Should you wish to make a special occasion of it, the premiere performance on Thursday 2 July at 7pm will be a fun and glamorous evening for the whole family. The theatre waives its commission for one night only, so all proceeds from this performance will go to LCB’s charitable work with disadvantaged children and isolated elderly people. Use the booking form to apply for tickets.
*Promotional photography by Photography by ASH.
London Children’s Ballet’s Anne of Green Gables is at Peacock Theatre from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 July.
Running time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes, including an interval.
To learn more about dancing with, and supporting, London Children’s Ballet visit the LCB website and follow @lcbballet on Instagram and @lcballet on Facebook.
Update 4 July 2026: Read my review of London Children’s Ballet’ Anne of Green Gables at Peacock Theatre.
Georgina Butler is an editor, a dance writer and a ballet teacher.
