The musical Little Dancer will have its West End premiere in early February at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. The cast stars Tiler Peck, a principal dancer at the New York City Ballet, Emmy winner, and Olivier Award nominee, and Julian Ovenden, known for roles in Downton Abbey and Foyle’s War.
Inspired by the real-life story behind Edgar Degas’ iconic sculpture Little Dancer opened to rave reviews and sold-out runs in the US, in both Washington DC and Seattle. In July 2025, the UK premiere of the musical was held at the West End’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The production was a one-night-only concert featuring Tiler Peck and Julian Ovenden. The concert sold out and was widely regarded as a triumph.
Set in the backstage world of the Paris Opera Ballet, Little Dancer draws inspiration from the life of Marie van Goethem, a young ballerina who posed for Edgar Degas and rose to become the world’s most renowned dancer. As Marie grapples with poverty, ambition, and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry, she becomes the muse behind one of history’s most celebrated artworks.
Little Dancer features the Olivier and Tony Award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens on book and lyrics, with music by Stephen Flaherty (“Ragtime”, “Anastasia”, “Once on This Island”). It is directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner and two-time Olivier Award winner Susan Stroman.
The story contains a unique synthesis of classical ballet, visual art and musical theatre. It is constantly entertaining and tugs at the audience's heartstrings. Marie wanted to be a great dancer, and inadvertently, through art, became the most famous dancer in the world.
