Tuesday 16 June 2026

The Royal Ballet received four awards at the prestigious National Dance Awards, held at The Coronet Theatre on Monday 15 June 2026.  

At the ceremony, Principal Lauren Cuthbertson won Best Female Dancer and Principal William Bracewell won Best Male Dancer. Principal Ryoichi Hirano received the award for Outstanding Male Classical Performance in the title role of Onegin. Additionally, Soloist Viola Pantuso accepted the award for Best Short Dance Film on behalf of Director Cottia Thorowgood and Producer Charles Haswell for La Fée Électricité, in which she features. 

In total, The Royal Ballet received 15 nominations:

Best Male Dancer:

• Matthew Ball
• William Bracewell

Best Female Dancer:

• Lauren Cuthbertson
• Marianela Nuñez

Stef Stefanou Award For Outstanding Company: 

• The Royal Ballet

Best Classical Choreography:    

• Cathy Marston for Against the Tide

Emerging Artist Award:

• Marco Masciari

Outstanding Male Modern Performance:  

• Edward Watson as George in A Single Man 

Outstanding Female Modern Performance: 

• Lauren Cuthbertson as Tatiana in Onegin  
• Marianela Nuñez in Symphony in C

Outstanding Male Classical Performance:

• Matthew Ball in Against the Tide
• William Bracewell in Against the Tide
• Ryoichi Hirano in the title role as Onegin

Outstanding Creative Contribution:

• Chloe Lamford (Set Design) - Against the Tide 
• Vasko Vassilev (Violinist) - Against the Tide

The awards were voted on by 60 dance critics who are members of the Critics’ Circle and recognise performances that occurred in the United Kingdom between 1 January and 31 December 2025.