The Royal Ballet: La Fille mal gardée

ROYAL BALLET AND OPERA CINEMA SEASON 2025/26

The Royal Ballet
LA FILLE MAL GARDÉE
LIVE: Wednesday 5th November 2025, 19:15 GMT
Running time: 210 minutes (To be confirmed)

Cast:
To be confirmed

Creatives:
Choreography FREDERICK ASHTON
Music FERDINAND HÉROLD
Conductor JONATHAN LO
Arrangement and Orchestration JOHN LANCHBERY
Scenario JEAN DAUBERVAL
Designer OSBERT LANCASTER
Lighting Designer JOHN B. READ

Synopsis:
Lise, the only daughter of Widow Simone, is in love with the young farmer Colas, but her mother has far more ambitious plans for her. Simone hopes to marry her off to Alain, the son of the wealthy proprietor Thomas. Desperate to marry Colas rather than Alain, Lise contrives to outwit her mother’s plans.
65 years after its premiere, The Royal Ballet presents Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée. This affectionate portrayal of village life combines exuberant good humour and brilliantly inventive choreography in what is undoubtedly Ashton’s love letter to the English countryside. La Fille mal gardée whisks us away into pastoral bliss with Ferdinand Hérold’s cheerful score and Osbert Lancaster’s colourful designs.