The gilded halls of the Austro-Hungarian Empire are rarely as suffocating as they appear in Kenneth MacMillan’s 1978 masterpiece, Mayerling. This spring, from 30 March to 18 May 2026, The Royal Ballet brings this dark, visceral tale of obsession back to the Royal Opera House for its 15th revival, proving that the scandal of the Crown Prince remains as haunting as ever.
A Legacy of Scandal and Psychological Depth
Based on the true story of the 1889 murder-suicide of Crown Prince Rudolf and his teenage mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera, Mayerling is a far cry from the ethereal fairytales of classical ballet. It is a gritty exploration of a man unraveling under the weight of imperial expectation and personal demons. Set against a backdrop of stifling opulence, the production utilizes some of the most technically demanding choreography in the repertory to map the jagged edges of the human psyche.
A Season of High-Profile Debuts
This revival is particularly notable for a wave of significant debuts. Principal dancers William Bracewell and Calvin Richardson will both step into the grueling lead role of Rudolf, a character defined by his searing emotional intensity. Joining them in the tragic narrative is Fumi Kaneko, making her debut as the doomed Mary Vetsera.
The production also sees a wealth of fresh interpretations in supporting roles. Anna Rose O’Sullivan, Claire Calvert, Leticia Dias, and Isabel Lubach take on the manipulative Countess Marie Larisch, while a host of talent, including Yuhui Choe and Chisato Katsura, debut as the mistress Mitzi Caspar. The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, conducted by Martin Georgiev, provides the lush, dramatic score that fuels this descent into madness.
Accessibility and Information
The Royal Ballet continues its commitment to younger audiences with a bespoke Young RBO performance on Monday 11 May. Every seat in the house for this date is reserved for those aged 16–25, with tickets priced at £30 or less.
Tickets: Starting from £9 at rbo.org.uk
Advisory: Due to adult themes, the production is recommended for ages 14 and up.
Photo credit: Andrej Uspenski
