Ballerinas

“They have two faces. The smiling, perfect one the audience sees. And then the dark one that emerges behind the curtain…”

Part memoir, part reckoning, Ballerinas is a raw, darkly comic exploration of the elite ballet conservatory system of the 1990s. Adapted from her autobiographical novel, Miřenka Čechová traces the brutal journey of young girls pursuing ballet dreams, exposing a world shaped by discipline, ambition and sacrifice.

Blending movement, theatre and personal testimony, Čechová explores the physical and psychological cost of artistic training with honesty and humour. Ballerinas is both an examination of a toxic system and a search for identity, resilience and catharsis.

Performed in English.

Miřenka Čechová is a Czech author, choreographer, director and performer, former ballet dancer and co-founder of Spitfire Company and Tantehorse. Her work combines theatre, dance and documentary storytelling.

Concept, Direction & Performance: Miřenka Čechová

Dramaturgy: Martina Kinská

Directorial Collaboration: Janka Ryšánek Schmidtová

Theatrical Collaboration: Tereza Dočkalová

Set: Petr Boháč, Eva Matoušová

Music: Martin Tvrdý

Live Music: Mary C

Lighting: Filip Horn

Animation: Linda Arbanová

Video: Tereza Vejvodová

Costumes & Objects: Eva Matoušová

Produced by: Spitfire Company

With the support of the City of Prague. Part of the 30th Made in Prague Festival, organised by Czech Centre London.