The Royal Ballet Packs Big Dreams for Asia

Beginner | April 4, 2026

✨ 혼자서 기사를 소리 내어 읽거나 튜터를 따라 각 단락을 반복해서 읽으세요. 레벨...

Royal Ballet Asia Tour Gets Ready to Travel

Britain’s Royal Ballet is preparing for a major summer trip to Asia. The Royal Ballet Asia tour is one of the company’s biggest international projects of the year. The company plans to perform in Singapore and Tokyo from June 26 to July 12, 2026. (Reuters) This is not a small operation. The team is getting ready to move costumes, shoes, makeup, and stage items across long distances so audiences in Asia can enjoy the same high-quality experience people expect in London.

More Than 2,000 Costume Pieces

One of the biggest jobs is packing the clothing. Reuters reported that the Royal Ballet is moving more than 2,000 costume pieces for the tour. (Reuters) Costume Performance Senior Manager Adrian Villasenor has been checking dresses, jackets, headpieces, and shoes to make sure everything is ready. In business terms, this is a huge logistics project, not just an arts story.

It Takes a Whole Team

The dancers are only one part of the story. Around 150 people will travel from London to Asia. (Reuters) That group includes dancers, wardrobe workers, physiotherapists, and backstage staff. A ballet performance may look graceful and effortless on stage, but behind the curtain, it takes serious planning and teamwork to keep everything running smoothly.

Two Very Different Ballets

The Royal Ballet will bring two famous works to Asia. One is “Giselle,” a dramatic and romantic ballet. The other is “La Fille mal gardée,” which is lighter, warmer, and more comic. According to Reuters, the company began planning the tour back in 2023. (Reuters) They also had to think about differences in theater size and stage space, because that can affect movement, choreography, and the way a production looks.

Global Problems Can Affect the Arts Too

This story also shows how world events can affect culture and travel. Reuters said the conflict in the Middle East and longer shipping routes around Africa have made transport more complicated. (Reuters) Some items must leave earlier than usual. The company is shipping the sets and costumes for “Giselle,” while the costumes for “La Fille mal gardée” will be flown to Tokyo after the ballet finishes its London run on June 9. In other words, the team is working against the clock.

Giving Asia the Full London Experience

Royal Ballet director Kevin O’Hare said the goal is for audiences in Tokyo and Singapore to experience the shows the same way people do in London. That means the company is trying to bring not just the dancers, but also the full feeling of the production. Official tour information also shows four gala performances in Singapore, followed by “La Fille mal gardée” in Tokyo and then “Giselle” at NHK Hall in Tokyo. (Royal Ballet and Opera, NBS-Japan Performing Arts Foundation)

Why This Story Matters

This article matters because it reminds us that great performances depend on a lot of unseen work. The Royal Ballet Asia tour also shows how planning, shipping, and teamwork support culture on a global stage. It is also a useful English lesson: success in any field often comes from preparation, coordination, and attention to detail. Whether you work in the arts, business, or tech, a strong result usually starts behind the scenes.

Vocabulary

tour (noun) – a series of performances or visits in different places.
Example: The ballet company will go on a tour of Asia this summer.
costume (noun) – special clothes worn for a performance.
Example: Each dancer needs the right costume for the show.
headpiece (noun) – something worn on the head as part of a costume.
Example: The staff packed every headpiece very carefully.
physiotherapist (noun) – a person who helps others with pain, injury, or body movement.
Example: A physiotherapist travels with the dancers to help keep them healthy.
backstage (adjective) – happening behind the stage and out of public view.
Example: Backstage workers help the performance run well.
logistics (noun) – the planning and movement of people or things.
Example: The logistics of this tour are very complex.
choreography (noun) – the planned dance movements in a performance.
Example: The choreography may change a little depending on the stage size.
graceful (adjective) – moving in a smooth, beautiful way.
Example: The dancers looked graceful during rehearsal.
ship (verb) – to send something by sea or transport service.
Example: The company will ship some sets and costumes to Asia.
behind the scenes (phrase) – the hidden work that supports a public event.
Example: A lot happens behind the scenes before the curtain rises.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

Why does the Royal Ballet need to pack so many items for the Asia tour?
Who will travel with the dancers besides the performers themselves?
What two ballets will the company perform in Asia?
How have world events made the tour more difficult?
What does this story teach us about work behind the scenes?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Have you ever watched a ballet or another live performance?
Why is planning so important for a big international event?
What kinds of jobs happen behind the scenes in entertainment?
How can travel and shipping problems affect global business?
Do you think most people understand how much work goes into a performance?

Related Idiom

“Working against the clock” – trying to finish something quickly before time runs out.

Example: The Royal Ballet team is working against the clock to get everything ready for Asia.

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This article was inspired by: Reuters, Royal Ballet and Opera, and NBS-Japan Performing Arts Foundation