The Royal Ballet and Opera has announced its accessible performances for the 2026/27 season at Covent Garden, with Audio Described, British Sign Language, Captioned and Relaxed performances available across a wide range of ballet and opera productions. Visitors can also register for the RBO’s free Access Scheme and book Touch Tours for selected performances.
1. Accessible performances run throughout the 2026/27 season
The Royal Ballet and Opera’s accessibility programme includes Audio Described, BSL, Captioned and Relaxed performances, alongside selected Touch Tours.
Productions featuring accessible performances include Alcina, Manon, Carmen, The Nutcracker, The Magic Flute, Così fan tutte and several newer productions.
Find out more and register for the free Royal Ballet and Opera Access Scheme:
https://www.rbo.org.uk/visit/access-at-rbo
2. Carmen has one of the widest ranges of accessible performances
Bizet’s Carmen returns to the Royal Opera during autumn 2026, with several accessible options.
Accessible Carmen performances include:
Audio Described: 29 October to 21 November 2026
BSL performance: 8 November 2026
BSL Captioned: 21 November 2026
Relaxed Performance: 8 November 2026
Touch Tours: 8 and 18 November 2026
The production is directed by Damiano Michieletto, with Ginger Costa-Jackson and Ramona Zaharia sharing the title role.
Book Carmen:
https://www.rbo.org.uk/production/carmen-damiano-michieletto
3. The Nutcracker offers accessible Christmas performances
One of London’s most popular Christmas ballets, The Nutcracker, returns to the Royal Ballet in December 2026.
Accessible performances include:
Audio Described: 16 and 19 December 2026
Captioned: 8 and 19 December 2026
Touch Tours: 16 and 19 December 2026
Peter Wright’s classic production features Tchaikovsky’s famous score and Julia Trevelyan Oman’s spectacular period designs.
Book The Nutcracker:
https://www.rbo.org.uk/production/the-nutcracker-peter-wright
4. Opera accessibility continues into 2027
The programme continues throughout early 2027.
Good Sometimes Queen offers Audio Described and BSL Captioned performances on 27 January 2027, while Mozart’s Così fan tutte includes Audio Described performances from 10 to 28 February 2027 and a BSL Captioned performance on 25 February.
Rameau’s Les Boréades will have an especially accessible performance on 14 March 2027, combining Audio Description, BSL Captioning and a Relaxed Performance, with a Touch Tour also available.
5. Touch Tours can be booked alongside selected performances
Touch Tours allow blind and partially sighted visitors to explore elements of a production before the performance, potentially including costumes, props and parts of the set.
Touch Tours are available for a number of productions during the season, including Alcina, Manon, Carmen, The Nutcracker, The Magic Flute, Good Sometimes Queen, Così fan tutte and Les Boréades.
Touch Tours should be booked through the Royal Ballet and Opera Box Office at boxoffice@roh.org.uk.
With accessible ballet and opera performances running from September 2026 into 2027, the Royal Ballet and Opera’s new season provides more ways for audiences to experience performances at its Covent Garden home.
Full accessibility information and Access Scheme registration:
https://www.rbo.org.uk/visit/access-at-rbo
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