When I was planning our November 2025 trip to the UK, I knew that I wanted to see something from the Royal Ballet. (I mean, I typically always try and see the RB on a UK trip, but I wanted to see it with my mom!) And luckily for me, one of my to-see ballets was on the schedule while we were there! This is my Royal Ballet La Fille mal gardee review, for anyone looking to go this season*!
*Other than The Nutcracker, performances of a particular production are typically spaced out throughout the full ROH season.
If you missed my original post on La Fille mal gardée, you can find it below! It has the synopsis, the history of the ballet, and what to look out for!
Behind the Ballet: La Fille mal gardée
My Royal Ballet La Fille mal gardee Review
This production was my first in-person Frederick Ashton ballet, and I will say, it did not let me down in any way. I am in the minority of balletgoers, as I very much enjoy comedic ballets. I will typically choose a comedy over a tragedy, and I think that it is much harder for a dancer to be good at comedy. And what a brilliant comedy it was!
We went to the evening performance on 5 November 2025 at Covent Garden, with Francesca Hayward as Lise and Marcelino Sambé as Colas. I’ve been wanting to see Hayward perform live for years. And as one would expect from a RB principal, she was spectacular! She balanced the over-the-top comedy of the role with fantastic technique, and made the role so much more than just slapstick. (Ashton’s choreography could go either way with this ballet, but Hayward certainly elevates it.) Sambé was also a great lead. He is one of those dancers that is truly an athlete and the role showcases that.
The supporting cast was also strong in their roles! Christopher Saunders’ Thomas was another favourite for me- he is obviously a great character artist, and he does so well with these character roles.
My favourite element? The pony in the show, an actual pony! The pony is not doing anything crazy, simply being led across the stage. But with the incredible sets, fantastic costumes, and an actual animal, it makes for one hell of a production on stage (apologies for the language).
If you can make your way to Covent Garden to see La Fille mal gardee this season, I would highlighly recommend it! It it appropriate for all ages, it is on the shorter side (just over two hours, with one interval), and it is one of Ashton’s best pieces.
Have you seen La Fille mal gardee?
Cheers,
The Historian
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So lovely to get first hand account of London ballet, I know so few people who go. Last overseas chum I spoke to who went to London was there for Taylor Swift, which was a discovery of sorts for me I suppose. Didn’t ever see LFM cos suspect I find tunes too irritating but reading you looks like I need to look it up . So happy you got there!
I unfortunately am not there often but I do go whenever I am there!! And while I love Hérold’s score, I could see why it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Still, Ashton trumps all for me ha!