Dogs Don't Do Ballet
13 Sep–16 Nov 2024
A Little Angel Theatre Production
Based on the best-selling book by Anna Kemp and Sara Ogilvie
Aimed at ages 3-8
Biff is not like ordinary dogs. He likes moonlight. And music. And walking on his tiptoes.
You see, Biff doesn’t think he’s a dog, Biff thinks he’s a ballerina…
The sublime and the ridiculous combine in this hilarious story of a small dog with a big personality and even bigger dreams, brought to life using beautiful puppets, well-loved ballet music and dazzling theatrical comedy.
“Outstanding…If you see only one children’s show this month then it should be this witty, charming, engaging piece of miniature theatre”
The Stage
★★★★★
“This is one children’s show where the adults are guaranteed to laugh as hard as the kids (and probably more).”
Time Out
★★★★
“A charming, funny story about following your own path, with a burly hero who should appeal to little boys as well as little girls.”
The Times
Production Photos
by Ellie Kurttz
Age guidance
Dogs Don’t Do Ballet is aimed at ages 3-8.
Our shows for this age group have storylines that can be followed and enjoyed by 3-4-year olds, but may also use slightly more complex ideas, humour, dialogue or song lyrics that older children will get more out of. There is nothing really scary in these shows but they can be a bit more dramatic than those for the youngest children, including in their use of sound and lighting, and characters may face some perils.
This show has standard theatre seating – rows of benches facing the stage. There will be up to 90 people watching the show (sometimes more if you come when there are school groups).
There are points throughout the show where everyone is invited to respond or to join in with actions. For example, the opening scene is a ballet class where the audience are encouraged to follow some warm up exercises from their seats, and when the dog Biff is secretly following Anna you can shout out when you see him. The audience stay in their seats while watching the show, but you can leave and re-enter the auditorium at any time.
In the middle of the show, Biff has a bad dream where lots of objects related to ballet come to life and chase him, and the music is louder and more imposing as he battles with them. This section is two minutes long and is followed by a calm scene in which order is restored.
All ages are welcome at our shows and age ranges can only be a rough guide, but please bear in mind that Dogs Don’t Do Ballet was not specially designed for under-threes. A show aimed at two-year olds would have some differences – those shows are carefully made to hold their attention for the duration, and not to be unsettling for them.
Book our workshops
Family Workshops - Gorgeous Gorillas and Radical Rhinos
For ages 5-8
Family Workshops - Dogs Don't Do Ballet
For ages 3-5
School Bookings
For EYFS, KS1 & KS2 / For ages 3-8
Curriculum links
English: reading and writing, PSHE: stereotypes and inclusion, PE: dance.
The Educational pack for Dogs Don’t Do Ballet can be found here.
The Visual story for Dogs Don’t Do Ballet can be found here.
Tickets for school groups are £7 for each adult and each child, or £8.50 for fee-paying schools and nurseries. These rates are only available on weekdays before 3pm during Islington term time. Free adult tickets are available for children who need 1:1 support.
Before requesting a booking, please check dates, times and availability here. Maximum school capacity for this show is 115 people per performance.
Please fill in our school booking enquiry form here.
Download our information for undertaking a risk assessment for school visits here.
Accessible Performances
BSL Interpreted Performance: Saturday 5 October, 3.30 PM
Click here to book for this BSL performance.
These performances are provided for those who use British Sign Language. The interpreter will be at the front of the stage and lit with a spotlight. They will provide a linguistic and artistic interpretation of the show for people who are D/deaf or for whom BSL is their preferred language.
Relaxed Performance: Sunday 20 October, 2.30 PM
No online booking for Relaxed Performances – please call 020 7226 1787
Relaxed Performances are provided for people who would benefit from a more relaxed environment, or are uncomfortable with sudden lighting changes or loud noises, including those with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, sensory or communication needs or a learning disability. Find out more here.
The Visual story for Dogs Don’t Do Ballet can be found here.
What is a visual story? Find out more here.
If you are interested in arranging a weekday Relaxed Performance for a school group, please contact boxoffice@littleangeltheatre.com
Credits
Adapted by David Duffy and Andrea Sadler
Directed by David Duffy
Associate Directed by Mark Esaias
Puppets designed and made by Keith Frederick
Set design and build by Tim Sykes
Costumes designed by Keith Frederick and Tim Sykes
Music performed by Alex Carter
Lighting design by David Duffy
Stage Managed by TBC
Performed by Andrea Sadler and Ronnie Le Drew
This play is based on the original book Dogs Don’t Do Ballet © 2010 text by Anna Kemp, illustrations by Sara Ogilvie
First published in the United Kingdom by Simon and Schuster UK Ltd
You may also be interested in
Rosie Robin and the Christmas Post
Blending puppetry, physical performance and song, this gentle, magical, heart-warming show tells the story of one tiny Robin determined that no one is forgotten this Christmas.
Aimed at ages 2-5
The Singing Mermaid
One day, the singing mermaid is tempted away from all of her sea creature friends and her peaceful home at Silversands to join a travelling circus. The audiences love to hear her sing, but the poor mermaid was tricked!
Will she ever escape? And who will help her along the way?
Aimed at ages 3-8
Magic. Pure innocent, delightful puppet magic. A wonderful family outing.
– Benedict Cumberbatch
Little Angel Theatre is a magical place. They have brought many of my books to life on stage, and they do so creatively whilst remaining faithful to the books. It is wonderful to see so many children enjoying this special THEATRE.
– Julia Donaldson
My FAVOURITE theatre in the whole world!
– Neil Gaiman
Little Angel is nothing less
than an icon of North
London childhood.
Time Out
Performances
All tickets £10 on Fridays at 4.45pm
All tickets £10 on Fridays at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is also on sale to the public
Relaxed Performance
Relaxed performances are provided for people who would benefit from a more relaxed environment, including those with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, sensory or communication needs or a learning disability.
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 on Fridays at 4.45pm
All tickets £10 on Thursdays at 4.45pm
All tickets £10 on Fridays at 4.45pm
These performances are provided for those who use British Sign Language. The interpreter will be at the front of the stage and lit with a spotlight. They will provide a linguistic and artistic interpretation of the show for people who are D/deaf or for whom BSL is their preferred language.
These performances are open to all, but if no-one in your party is specifically looking for BSL interpretation, please consider booking at another time to allow these tickets to go to those who would most benefit.
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 on Thursdays at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 on Fridays at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 on Thursdays at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 on Fridays at 4.45pm
Relaxed performances are provided for people who would benefit from a more relaxed environment, including those with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, sensory or communication needs or a learning disability.
No online booking, please call 020 7226 1787
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 on Thursdays at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 on Fridays at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 on Thursdays at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 on Fridays at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 on Thursdays at 4.45pm
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
To book for a school group, please CLICK HERE to complete the school booking enquiry form
This performance is currently only on sale to schools. If you would like to be notified if this performance goes on sale to the public you can join our waiting list here
All tickets £10 on Fridays at 4.45pm