The National Ballet of Japan has been nominated for the Stef Stefanou Award for Outstanding Company at the 26th National Dance Awards (NDA). It is a great honor to be selected in this category which recognizes the best companies performing in the UK in 2025. The NDA is one of the most prestigious awards in the field of dance. Since 2000, nominations and awards have been determined by members of the Dance Section of the Critics' Circle. It is the only award presented by a body of professional dance critics in the UK.

In 2025, a total of 379 companies, choreographers, performers, and other creative artists were nominated, an increase from 365 candidates in 2024. The National Ballet of Japan has been selected as a nominee for the Stef Stefanou Award for Outstanding Company. We are one of 10 companies outside of UK nominated this year. Our appearance at the Royal Opera House, where we performed Giselle in July 2025, was recognized for this nomination. The shortlist of nominees has been announced today.

Our presentation of Giselle in London was highly reviewed in a number of leading international media outlets. In addition to five-star reviews, the performances were selected as the best of 2025 by both The New York Times and The Daily Telegraph.

The NDA Awards Ceremony is going to be held on Monday, 15th June starting at 12 noon, at the Coronet Theatre in Notting Hill.

YONEZAWA Yui, IZAWA Shun
Photo by Tristram Kenton

ONO Ayako, FUKUOKA Yudai
Photo by Foteini Christofilopoulou

SHIBAYAMA Saho, HAYAMI Shogo
Photo by Foteini Christofilopoulou

KIMURA Yuri, WATANABE Takafumi
Photo by Andrej Uspenski