Melissa Hamilton's Grand Ballet Gala

An unmissable show created especially for the Grand Opera House by Melissa Hamilton; Northern Ireland’s very own globally celebrated Royal Ballet Principal Ballerina.

Witness an awe-inspiring array of world-class ballet stars and emerging bright talent, hand-picked by Melissa Hamilton, as they perform in an extraordinary ballet showcase like no other.

With an illustrious professional performing career spanning two decades with The Royal Ballet, at London’s Royal Opera House, and on the most prestigious stages worldwide, Melissa returns to her home stage with a brand-new production following the Grand Ballet Gala’s sell-out success at the Grand Opera House in 2024.

For this unique Gala, Melissa Hamilton has brought together eighteen of some of the finest dancers from across the globe for Belfast audiences.

She is joined on stage by her esteemed Royal Ballet dance artists including fellow Principal dancer Ryoichi Hirano of Japan, as well as Fabrizzio Ulloa, Alecsia Lazarescu and William Gyves.

Taking centre stage are established stars of the international ballet world, including American Principal guest artist formerly of Bayerische Staatsballett Julian MacKay and Polish National Ballet’s First Soloist Mai Kageyama.

Joining this stellar line-up are critically acclaimed international contemporary guest artists, James Pett and Travis Clausen-Knight.

The programme also features an exciting ensemble ​piece from the Polish National Ballet Junior Company, a select collective of promising young Polish and international dancers. Having toured across Europe and recently performed at the Linbury Theatre within London’s Royal Opera House, these rising stars now bring their exceptional talent to Belfast.