Francesca Hayward

Francesca Hayward is a Kenyan-born English ballet dancer and actress, the daughter of an English father and a Kenyan mother. She is a principal dancer in the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden in London. At the age of two, she moved to the Goring-by-Sea suburb of Worthing in West Sussex to live with her grandparents. She started ballet at age 3, after her grandparents bought her a video of The Nutcracker. When she was young, she danced at Le Serve School of Ballet and Theatre Dance in Worthing until her teacher encouraged her to audition to White Lodge, the junior section of the Royal Ballet School. After being a Junior Associate from the age of nine, she entered the School at the age of 11 in 2003, and progressed to the Royal Ballet Upper School in 2008. According to Hayward, due to an injury, she did not officially graduate, but received a certificate of attendance.

Woolf Works (2017)

The first revival of Wayne McGregor’s critically acclaimed ballet triptych to music by Max Richter, inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ross MacGibbon
CAST:  Gillian Anderson  •  Maggie Smith  •  Alessandra Ferri  •  Federico Bonelli

The first revival of Wayne McGregor’s critically acclaimed ballet triptych to music by Max Richter, inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ross MacGibbon
CAST:  Gillian Anderson  •  Maggie Smith  •  Alessandra Ferri  •  Federico Bonelli

The Nutcracker (2016)

The young Clara creeps downstairs on Christmas Eve to play with her favourite present – a Nutcracker. But the mysterious magician Drosselmeyer is waiting to sweep her off on a magical adventure. After defeating the Mouse King, the Nutcracker and Clara travel ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Lauren Cuthbertson  •  Federico Bonelli  •  Francesca Hayward  •  Alexander Campbell

The young Clara creeps downstairs on Christmas Eve to play with her favourite present – a Nutcracker. But the mysterious magician Drosselmeyer is waiting to sweep her off on a magical adventure. After defeating the Mouse King, the Nutcracker and Clara travel ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Lauren Cuthbertson  •  Federico Bonelli  •  Francesca Hayward  •  Alexander Campbell

Giselle (2016)

The peasant girl Giselle discovers the true identity of her lover Albrecht – and that he is promised to another. Giselle kills herself. Her soul enters the ranks of the Wilis – shades of young women who died before their wedding day. All men that come across their ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Marianela Núñez  •  Vadim Muntagirov  •  Itziar Mendizabal  •  Bennet Gartside

The peasant girl Giselle discovers the true identity of her lover Albrecht – and that he is promised to another. Giselle kills herself. Her soul enters the ranks of the Wilis – shades of young women who died before their wedding day. All men that come across their ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Marianela Núñez  •  Vadim Muntagirov  •  Itziar Mendizabal  •  Bennet Gartside

Dancing the Nutcracker: Inside the Royal Ballet (2016)

This Christmas, step into the magical world of The Nutcracker. For the first time in many years, the Royal Ballet has given full access behind the scenes for a landmark 90-minute documentary as they prepare for this season's yuletide production.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hugo Macgregor
CAST:  Francesca Hayward

This Christmas, step into the magical world of The Nutcracker. For the first time in many years, the Royal Ballet has given full access behind the scenes for a landmark 90-minute documentary as they prepare for this season's yuletide production.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hugo Macgregor
CAST:  Francesca Hayward

The Nutcracker - Royal Ballet (2015)

The 2015 production of "The Nutcracker" by the Royal Ballet  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Lauren Cuthbertson  •  Gary Avis  •  Francesca Hayward  •  Alexander Campbell

The 2015 production of "The Nutcracker" by the Royal Ballet  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Lauren Cuthbertson  •  Gary Avis  •  Francesca Hayward  •  Alexander Campbell

The Royal Ballet: Within the Golden Hour / Medusa / Flight Pattern (2019)

Christopher Wheeldon's Within the Golden Hour is based around seven couples separating and intermingling, to music by Vivaldi and Ezio Bosso and lit with the rich colours suggested by sunset. In Flight Pattern, Crystal Pite combines Górecki's haunting “Symphony of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ross MacGibbon
CAST:  Beatriz Stix-Brunell  •  Francesca Hayward  •  Sarah Lamb  •  Vadim Muntagirov

Christopher Wheeldon's Within the Golden Hour is based around seven couples separating and intermingling, to music by Vivaldi and Ezio Bosso and lit with the rich colours suggested by sunset. In Flight Pattern, Crystal Pite combines Górecki's haunting “Symphony of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ross MacGibbon
CAST:  Beatriz Stix-Brunell  •  Francesca Hayward  •  Sarah Lamb  •  Vadim Muntagirov

Swan Lake (2018)

The Royal Ballet performs Tchaikovsky's classic ballet, choreographed by Liam Scarlett and starring Marianela Nunez as Odette/Odile and Vadim Muntagirov as Prince Siegfried.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ross MacGibbon
CAST:  Marianela Núñez  •  Vadim Muntagirov  •  Bennet Gartside  •  Alexander Campbell

The Royal Ballet performs Tchaikovsky's classic ballet, choreographed by Liam Scarlett and starring Marianela Nunez as Odette/Odile and Vadim Muntagirov as Prince Siegfried.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ross MacGibbon
CAST:  Marianela Núñez  •  Vadim Muntagirov  •  Bennet Gartside  •  Alexander Campbell

The Cellist / Dances at a Gathering (The Royal Ballet) (2020)

The Royal Ballet presents the world premiere of Cathy Marston's first work for the Company on the Main Stage alongside a revival of Jerome Robbins’s timeless classic of pure dance. The Cellist is a one-act ballet about British cellist Jacqueline du Pré, from her ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ross MacGibbon
CAST:  Marcelino Sambé  •  Matthew Ball  •  Lauren Cuthbertson  •  Emma Lucano

The Royal Ballet presents the world premiere of Cathy Marston's first work for the Company on the Main Stage alongside a revival of Jerome Robbins’s timeless classic of pure dance. The Cellist is a one-act ballet about British cellist Jacqueline du Pré, from her ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ross MacGibbon
CAST:  Marcelino Sambé  •  Matthew Ball  •  Lauren Cuthbertson  •  Emma Lucano

Cats (2019)

A tribe of cats called the Jellicles must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tom Hooper
CAST:  Francesca Hayward  •  James Corden  •  Judi Dench  •  Jason Derulo

A tribe of cats called the Jellicles must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Tom Hooper
CAST:  Francesca Hayward  •  James Corden  •  Judi Dench  •  Jason Derulo

Romeo and Juliet: Beyond Words (2019)

As members of the feuding Capulet and Montague families, Romeo and Juliet should be sworn enemies, but they fall deeply in love and marry in secret. That very day, disastrous circumstances lead Romeo to fight and kill Juliet’s cousin Tybalt, setting off a chain of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Nunn
CAST:  William Bracewell  •  Francesca Hayward  •  Matthew Ball  •  Marcelino Sambé

As members of the feuding Capulet and Montague families, Romeo and Juliet should be sworn enemies, but they fall deeply in love and marry in secret. That very day, disastrous circumstances lead Romeo to fight and kill Juliet’s cousin Tybalt, setting off a chain of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Nunn
CAST:  William Bracewell  •  Francesca Hayward  •  Matthew Ball  •  Marcelino Sambé

Concerto / Enigma Variations / Raymonda Act III (Royal Ballet) (2019)

From The Royal Ballet’s classical origins in the works of Petipa, to the home-grown choreographers who put British ballet on the world stage, this mixed programme highlights the versatility of the Company. Petipa’s Raymonda Act III is Russian classical ballet ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ross MacGibbon
CAST:  Anna Rose O'Sullivan  •  James Hay  •  Yasmine Naghdi  •  Ryoichi Hirano

From The Royal Ballet’s classical origins in the works of Petipa, to the home-grown choreographers who put British ballet on the world stage, this mixed programme highlights the versatility of the Company. Petipa’s Raymonda Act III is Russian classical ballet ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ross MacGibbon
CAST:  Anna Rose O'Sullivan  •  James Hay  •  Yasmine Naghdi  •  Ryoichi Hirano

The Sun Is God (2017)

1918 - A woman imagines her lover has returned from the horrors of war in France, remembering moments shared together. A tale of love and loss told through classical ballet.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alice Pennefather
CAST:  Francesca Hayward  •  Matthew Ball

1918 - A woman imagines her lover has returned from the horrors of war in France, remembering moments shared together. A tale of love and loss told through classical ballet.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alice Pennefather
CAST:  Francesca Hayward  •  Matthew Ball

Audrey (2020)

An intimate look at Audrey Hepburn's life, with access to exclusive never-before-seen footage from her family's personal collection, providing an unprecedented and insightful view on Audrey, her life and her dreams, aspirations and her everlasting legacy.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Helena Coan
CAST:  Audrey Hepburn  •  Alessandra Ferri  •  Francesca Hayward  •  Keira Moore

An intimate look at Audrey Hepburn's life, with access to exclusive never-before-seen footage from her family's personal collection, providing an unprecedented and insightful view on Audrey, her life and her dreams, aspirations and her everlasting legacy.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Helena Coan
CAST:  Audrey Hepburn  •  Alessandra Ferri  •  Francesca Hayward  •  Keira Moore

The Nutcracker (The Royal Ballet)

Clara is given an enchanted Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. As midnight strikes, she creeps downstairs to find a magical adventure awaiting her and her Nutcracker.  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Lauren Cuthbertson  •  Federico Bonelli  •  Francesca Hayward  •  Alexander Campbell

Clara is given an enchanted Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. As midnight strikes, she creeps downstairs to find a magical adventure awaiting her and her Nutcracker.  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Lauren Cuthbertson  •  Federico Bonelli  •  Francesca Hayward  •  Alexander Campbell

Royal Ballet All-Star Gala (2020)

The stars of the Royal Ballet perform a very special selection of the best of ballet. From the ultra-contemporary Untouchable by Hofesh Schechter to the Hollywood glitz of Carousel, there is something for everyone in this glorious gala. The stellar partnership of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Jones
CAST:  Anita Rani  •  Francesca Hayward  •  Marianela Núñez  •  Vadim Muntagirov

The stars of the Royal Ballet perform a very special selection of the best of ballet. From the ultra-contemporary Untouchable by Hofesh Schechter to the Hollywood glitz of Carousel, there is something for everyone in this glorious gala. The stellar partnership of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peter Jones
CAST:  Anita Rani  •  Francesca Hayward  •  Marianela Núñez  •  Vadim Muntagirov

La Fille Mal Gardée (The Royal Ballet) (2015)

Frederick Ashton's La Fille mal gardée (The Wayward Daughter) is one of the choreographer's most joyous and colourful creations. Inspired by his love for the Suffolk countryside, the ballet is set on a farm and tells a story of love between Lise, the daughter of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ross MacGibbon
CAST:  Natalia Osipova  •  Steven McRae  •  Paul Kay  •  Christopher Saunders

Frederick Ashton's La Fille mal gardée (The Wayward Daughter) is one of the choreographer's most joyous and colourful creations. Inspired by his love for the Suffolk countryside, the ballet is set on a farm and tells a story of love between Lise, the daughter of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ross MacGibbon
CAST:  Natalia Osipova  •  Steven McRae  •  Paul Kay  •  Christopher Saunders

Live from Covent Garden - Royal Opera House (2020)

Live from Covent Garden will celebrate ballet and opera in programmes of dance and music, curated by artistic directors of the Royal Opera House: Antonio Pappano, Music Director of The Royal Opera, Oliver Mears, Director of Opera, and Kevin O’Hare, Director of The ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Louise Alder  •  Toby Spence  •  Vasko Vassilev  •  Francesca Hayward

Live from Covent Garden will celebrate ballet and opera in programmes of dance and music, curated by artistic directors of the Royal Opera House: Antonio Pappano, Music Director of The Royal Opera, Oliver Mears, Director of Opera, and Kevin O’Hare, Director of The ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Louise Alder  •  Toby Spence  •  Vasko Vassilev  •  Francesca Hayward

The Royal Ballet: Mayerling (2022)

Inspired by dark and gripping real life events, this Royal Ballet classic depicts the sexual and morbid obsessions of Crown Prince Rudolf leading to the murder-suicide scandal with his mistress Mary Vetsera. The oppressive glamour of the Austro-Hungarian court in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Koen Kessels
CAST:  Ryoichi Hirano  •  Natalia Osipova  •  Laura Morera  •  Christina Arestis

Inspired by dark and gripping real life events, this Royal Ballet classic depicts the sexual and morbid obsessions of Crown Prince Rudolf leading to the murder-suicide scandal with his mistress Mary Vetsera. The oppressive glamour of the Austro-Hungarian court in ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Koen Kessels
CAST:  Ryoichi Hirano  •  Natalia Osipova  •  Laura Morera  •  Christina Arestis

The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration

The Royal Ballet’s dazzling Principals lead an evening not to be missed, their sparkling talents a perfect fit for a diamond anniversary. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of The Friends of Covent Garden, this programme recognises the amazing support of all ROH ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kevin O'Hare
CAST:  Matthew Ball  •  Cesar Corrales  •  Vadim Muntagirov  •  Marcelino Sambé

The Royal Ballet’s dazzling Principals lead an evening not to be missed, their sparkling talents a perfect fit for a diamond anniversary. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of The Friends of Covent Garden, this programme recognises the amazing support of all ROH ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kevin O'Hare
CAST:  Matthew Ball  •  Cesar Corrales  •  Vadim Muntagirov  •  Marcelino Sambé

Like Water for Chocolate (2023)

A modern Mexican classic of magic realism provides the basis for The Royal Ballet’s new full-length work, reuniting Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon with the creative team who transformed Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Winter’s Tale into dance, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ross MacGibbon
CAST:  Francesca Hayward  •  Laura Morera  •  Mayara Magri  •  Meaghan Grace Hinkis

A modern Mexican classic of magic realism provides the basis for The Royal Ballet’s new full-length work, reuniting Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon with the creative team who transformed Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Winter’s Tale into dance, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ross MacGibbon
CAST:  Francesca Hayward  •  Laura Morera  •  Mayara Magri  •  Meaghan Grace Hinkis