The world premiere of a new full-length ballet by Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon, based on Shakespeare’s enduring tale of love, loss and reconciliation.

Following his charming Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and a series of short ballets including Aeternum and Polyphonia, Christopher Wheeldon presents a new full-length work at Covent Garden. He draws on another much-loved work of English literature: The Winter’s Tale, Shakespeare’s late, great romance.

The story follows the destruction of a marriage through consuming jealousy, the abandonment of a child and a seemingly hopeless love. Yet, through remorse and regret – and after a statue comes miraculously to life – the ending is one of forgiveness and reconciliation. Wheeldon continues his highly successful collaboration with designer Bob Crowley and composer Joby Talbot, the team behind Alice, in one of the highlights of The Royal Ballet Season.

Performances from the world’s greatest dance companies, broadcast in high definition on our big screen.