WATCH: Principal Dancer Céline Gittens on the importance of pointe shoes
News & Stories 21 Sept 2026News Story
Principal Dancer Céline Gittens explains the essential role of pointe shoes in classical ballet and how she prepares her own shoes for dancing, as part of our Pointe Shoe Appeal.
Help keep our dancers on their toes
Swan Lake is one of ballet’s most demanding productions, particularly for the lower legs. Dancers go through countless pairs of pointe shoes during rehearsals and performances, often wearing through a couple of pairs in a single show. Your support helps provide the shoes they need to perform at their best, stay safe and bring this iconic ballet to life.
Find out more
The Jerwood Centre: the strength behind every step in Swan Lake
Behind the pointe shoes: a day with Footwear Supervisor Michael Clifford
WATCH: Swan Lake Act III coda in rehearsal
Swan Lake: rehearsal photo gallery
WATCH: Ava May Llewellyn explains the story of Swan Lake
WATCH: Odette's Act II solo from Swan Lake
WATCH: Swan Lake trailer
Behind the unity of Swan Lake’s corps de ballet: Répétiteur Laëtitia Lo Sardo on precision, stamina and synchronicity
How do dancers train for Swan Lake? Rehabilitation and Conditioning Lead Esther Collacott on her go-to conditioning exercises
Ryan Felix talks career, promotion to Soloist and Swan Lake on BBC Radio WM
WATCH: Dance of the Cygnets | Full Performance Clip
WATCH: Swan Lake Cygnets rehearsal | full livestream
