The Royal Ballet is one of the world's greatest classical dance companies, resident at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden since 1946. Founded by Ninette de Valois, the company's identity was forged by the choreographic genius of Frederick Ashton and Kenneth MacMillan, whose works remain pillars of the international ballet repertoire. Its dancers are renowned for their musicality, dramatic expressiveness, and an elegant English style that distinguishes the company from its continental peers. From beloved full-length classics to bold contemporary commissions, The Royal Ballet sets the standard for dance at the highest level.
Acoustics, seating, and what to expect
The Royal Opera House features excellent acoustics throughout most of the auditorium, with the horseshoe design particularly benefiting the Amphitheatre and center-rear Stalls. The recently renovated Linbury Theatre incorporates state-of-the-art electro-acoustic systems for superior sound quality.
Central Stalls and Stalls Circle offer the best overall views and acoustics, particularly mid-way back in the Stalls. The front of the Amphitheatre provides clear sound and excellent sightlines for ballet. For premium experience, the first two rows of the center block in the Grand Tier offer exceptional views, though at premium pricing.
Smart Casual
Tickets, pricing, and getting there
Typical range · GBP
Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line); Leicester Square (Piccadilly and Northern Lines); 15, 23, 24, 29 buses serve Covent Garden area
Plan your visit — dining, transit, and performer resources nearby
Green Room — London
3 practice spaces
Book online through the RCM website. Rates are competitive (£15-25/hour for a room with a grand piano). The RCM building itself — Alfred Waterhouse's 1894 Gothic Revival red-brick — is extraordinary. The Museum of Music in the basement (free) has one of the finest instrument collections in the world.
Public room hire available through the Guildhall website. Rates similar to RCM (£15-25/hour). The Guildhall's Milton Court building (opened 2013) has state-of-the-art rehearsal facilities and a 600-seat concert hall. The Barbican's café is the waiting room.
The Greenwich location is a longer journey from central London (DLR or Overground to Greenwich, 20-25 min from central London), but the facilities and the setting are extraordinary. The Painted Hall and Chapel of the Old Royal Naval College are UNESCO World Heritage sites — worth visiting regardless.
Architecture
Victorian, horseshoe auditorium design
Heritage
Grade I Listed Building
Resident Company
The Royal Ballet
Organization
Royal Opera House
On Demand
Royal Opera House streaming service
Explore More
Browse 250+ opera houses, theatres, ballet companies, and festivals worldwide.
View Full Directory