See all

A Single Man

820 September 2025

A Single Man

820 September 2025

A Single Man

820 September 2025
Linbury Theatre
Ballet and dance

A vital portrait of queer love and loss.

The ballet Edward Watson wears a black long-sleeve rollneck leotard and jumps into the air. His legs are bent, and his toes point towards the floor. At this chest, his hands are clutched together. Behind him, the stage is set with an image of a brown grid background and inverted photograph of a man with short chair and striking features head and neck which makes the image appear entirely white – almost as though it is a sculpture. He is performing in The Royal Ballet’s production of A Single Man. 

Jonathan Watkins reimagines Christopher Isherwood’s novel as an exhilarating contemporary ballet, with new live music from John Grant and Jasmin Kent Rodgman.

Running time
The performance lasts approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes
Guidance
Suitable for all, subject to House rules
#royaloperahouse
A co-production between

The Royal Ballet and Factory International based on the Christopher Isherwood novel (1964)

Generous philanthropic support from

Dame Tina Taylor DBE

A Day in the Life

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? 

Background

An electrifying creative team

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.

 

A healing meditation on sexuality, grief and midlife

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.

Cast and Creatives

Creatives
Choreography

Jonathan Watkins

Costume Designer

Holly Waddington

Lighting Designer

Simisola Majekodunmi

Set Designer

Chiara Stephenson

Dramaturg

Luke Pell

Access

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.

Join our Access Scheme for priority access performance tickets and to personalise your account for your access requirements.

See our Accessibility page for more information on access at the Royal Opera House.

Donate

The Royal Ballet and Opera is a charity and relies on your support. No matter the size, every gift is critical to our work and helps us to secure the future of ballet and opera.  

Your donation will enable us to keep extraordinary work on our stages, inspire the next generation and support the Royal Ballet and Opera's community of artists, technicians and craftspeople. 

For people, not profit. Making world class ballet and opera for everyone.

Sign up now to our newsletter to get our latest news, offers and alerts

Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)