The Royal Ballet opens 2025 season with Christopher Wheeldon’s Like Water for Chocolate at the Royal Opera House
1–24 October 2025 | Royal Opera House, London
The Royal Ballet will open its highly anticipated 2025/26 season with Like Water for Chocolate, the acclaimed ballet by Christopher Wheeldon inspired by Laura Esquivel’s bestselling novel. Running from 1 to 24 October 2025 at the Royal Opera House, this emotionally charged production tells the story of Tita and Pedro, whose unspoken love is powerfully expressed through Tita’s magical cooking.
This revival marks the first return of Wheeldon’s ballet since its 2022 premiere, bringing to life the passion, mystery, and family drama set on a Mexican ranch. The choreography, paired with Joby Talbot’s original score and Bob Crowley’s evocative design, invites audiences into a vibrant world where emotion spills into every gesture.
Photographed by Tristram Kenton
Principal dancers Francesca Hayward and Marcelino Sambe reprise their roles as Tita and Pedro, alongside exciting debuts from Anna Rose O’Sullivan, Mayara Magri, Joseph Sissens, and others, promising a fresh and dynamic interpretation. The production is a co-commission between The Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, showcasing a powerful international collaboration.
Dates: 1–24 October 2025
Location: Royal Opera House, London WC2E 9DD
Tickets: £9–£170, available at rbo.org.uk
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
