A vital portrait of queer love and loss.
Jonathan Watkins reimagines Christopher Isherwood’s novel as an exhilarating contemporary ballet, with new live music from John Grant and Jasmin Kent Rodgman.
The Royal Ballet and Factory International based on the Christopher Isherwood novel (1964)
Dame Tina Taylor DBE
George is grieving after the sudden death of his long-term partner Jim. He wonders if life is still worth living and spends his day looking for ways to connect with the people around him. But there is another George: one who loves life. Can he reconcile these two parts of himself? Will a chance encounter remind him of joy?
Choreographer Jonathan Watkins transforms Christopher Isherwood’s masterpiece into an original contemporary ballet in collaboration with singer-songwriter John Grant and composer Jasmin Kent Rodgman. The creative team also features Oscar-winning costume designer Holly Waddington (Poor Things), set designer Chiara Stephenson – who has worked with Basel Ballet and artists like Björk – as well as lighting designer Simisola Majekodunmi.
Isherwood’s 1964 novel follows George, a gay, middle-aged professor navigating life in 1960s California. Widely recognised as a pioneering work of twentieth-century fiction, the novel was adapted into an Oscar-nominated film by fashion designer Tom Ford starring Colin Firth.
In this iteration of A Single Man, John Grant performs George's internal monologue while acclaimed former Royal Ballet Principal Ed Watson expresses the physicality of George’s exterior life, sharing the role with guest artist Jonathan Goddard. Throughout the day, George encounters an ensemble of other characters as he remembers his lover Jim: his friend Charley and a young student Kenny.
Telling the story of George inside and out, A Single Man explores what it means to be human.
For step free access and wheelchair spaces in the Linbury Theatre, you will need to book seats on the right-hand side of the auditorium.
We have an assistive listening system available to use.
Upcoming Accessible performances of A Single Man:
There will be a Captioned performance on 11 September 2025
There will be a Captioned, British Sign Language interpreted, Relaxed Performance and Audio Described performance with a Touch Tour on 13 September 2025. Touch Tours must be booked by contacting boxoffice@roh.org.uk for tickets.
There will be a Captioned performance on 15 September 2025.
There will be an Audio Described performance with a Touch Tour on 17 September 2025. Touch Tours must be booked by contacting boxoffice@roh.org.uk for tickets.
There will be a British Sign Language interpreted and Captioned performance on 18 September 2025.
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See our Accessibility page for more information on access at the Royal Opera House.
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