Matthew Bourne’s acclaimed production of Cinderella is set to return on a UK tour in 2026 and 2027, celebrating its 30th anniversary since first premiering in 1997. The tour will revisit the wartime reimagining of the classic fairytale, showcasing its enduring appeal.

Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella, which originally debuted in London’s West End in 1997 and was revived in a revised version in 2010, will embark on a nationwide tour beginning in November 2026. The production is set during the Second World War Blitz, with a score by Sergei Prokofiev, and tells the story of Cinderella’s brief romance with an RAF pilot amid wartime upheaval.

The tour launches at Theatre Royal Plymouth from 16 to 21 November 2026, followed by a run at the Lowry in Salford from 24 to 28 November. It will then take its place as New Adventures’ annual Christmas season at Sadler’s Wells from 1 December 2026 until 17 January 2027, marking the company’s 24th consecutive Christmas season at the venue.

In 2027, the production will continue its nationwide journey with stops at major venues including Milton Keynes Theatre, New Victoria Theatre Woking, Birmingham Hippodrome, Liverpool Empire, Hull New Theatre, and Theatre Royal Nottingham. The tour will also visit Mayflower Theatre Southampton, Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff, Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, Norwich Theatre Royal, Theatre Royal Glasgow, Newcastle Theatre Royal, and conclude at Festival Theatre Edinburgh in early May.

The creative team for the anniversary tour features Lez Brotherston on set and costume design, Neil Austin handling lighting, Duncan McLean responsible for video and projection design, and Paul Groothuis as sound designer. Casting details are yet to be announced.

Set against the backdrop of the Blitz, Bourne’s Cinderella stands out for its distinctive wartime context, coupling classical ballet music with a narrative exploring love during conflict. The production’s anniversary tour underlines its ongoing resonance and significance in the UK theatre landscape.

This tour adds to the broader appreciation of Bourne’s work, which often reinterprets classic stories in innovative ways, maintaining a strong presence in British theatre. Cinderella’s return taps into the tradition of reimagining familiar tales through fresh, meaningful lenses.