Dance for Parkinson’s comes to Southampton

© Chris Currie

8 October 2026

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Home / Dance for Parkinson’s comes to Southampton

We are delighted to announce Mayflower Southampton as the latest hub partner for our flagship Dance for Parkinson’s programme, bringing weekly dance classes to people living with Parkinson’s from January 2027.

The new partnership builds on English National Ballet’s longstanding relationship with Southampton and Mayflower Theatre, which stretches back more than five decades. The Company first performed at the Mayflower in 1972 and has returned regularly ever since. 

In 2024, the relationship reached a new milestone with the world premiere of English National Ballet’s Nutcracker, choreographed by Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin and Olivier Award-winner Arielle Smith. 

Now, the partnership is extending beyond the stage, creating new opportunities for people across Southampton to experience the Company’s work for themselves.

Bringing Dance for Parkinson’s to the city 

Ahead of the weekly programme, we’ve been connecting with communities across Southampton through a series of workshops delivered in collaboration with Parkinson’s UK. 

Five taster sessions will also take place at Mayflower Studios from 4 November – 2 December, giving participants the opportunity to discover Dance for Parkinson’s ahead of the January term. 

For the inaugural term, classes will be inspired by Rudolf Nureyev’s Romeo & Juliet, exploring its music, themes and choreography. The ballet tours to Mayflower Theatre from 3–5 December 2026, offering participants the chance to explore the production through movement before seeing it on stage. 

The benefits of dancing together

We’ve been supporting people living with Parkinson’s for more than 16 years. Since launching in 2010, Dance for Parkinson’s has grown into an industry-leading creative health programme, now reaching more than 5,000 people through over 250 classes each year. 

Classes are led by English National Ballet Associate Dance Artists and accompanied by live musicians. Alongside the physical benefits of movement, the programme offers participants the opportunity to connect with others, explore their creativity and discover more about our productions. 

“It has been an honour to witness the growth of our Dance for Parkinson’s programme over the last 16 years. These classes bring so much joy, connection and creativity to people’s lives, as well as supporting their health and wellbeing. We’re thrilled to build on our longstanding relationship with Mayflower Theatre and deepen our connection with people across the city. I’m excited that even more people from across Southampton will have the chance to experience the joy of dancing with English National Ballet.”  – Fleur Derbyshire-Fox, Engagement Director 
A group of people living with Parkinson's, and their carers, are taking a dance class in a bright studio. They are sat in a big circle, on chairs.
Dance for Parkinson's class at English National Ballet's home © Photography by ASH

A partnership that reaches beyond the stage 

Mayflower Southampton becomes our sixth Dance for Parkinson’s hub partner, joining Royal Albert Hall in London, DanceEast in Ipswich, Liverpool Hope University in Liverpool, Oxford City Council and MuMo Creative in Oxford, alongside affiliated hub partner National Dance Company Wales in Cardiff. 

“We are delighted to be partnering with English National Ballet, as an associate company of Mayflower, on this wonderful project. Our commitment to bringing great dance to our region is supported by the amazing productions that Aaron and his team create and it is a natural extension of our collaboration to extend the work further into our community. Dance has a power to move audiences and participants like no other artform, and I am eager to see the benefits that Dance for Parkinson’s will bring to people in our region.” – Michael Ockwell, Mayflower Chief Executive

The Southampton hub marks an exciting new chapter in English National Ballet’s relationship with the city – extending our presence beyond the stage and creating new opportunities for local communities to experience the joy of dance for themselves. 

Join us in Southampton 

The January term begins on Wednesday 13 January at Mayflower Studios. 

Find out more about Dance for Parkinson’s in Southampton, including the upcoming taster sessions this November. 

You can also join us on the National Tour of Nureyev’s Romeo & Juliet, coming to Mayflower Theatre from 3-5 December 2026.