English National Ballet Copy

Creative Vision + Art Direction

Inspired by the theatrical stage designs of the 17th-century Bibiena family, renowned for their grand architectural perspectives and elaborate theatre scenery, our creative approach translated the timeless language of classical ballet into animation, extending Sir Kenneth MacMillan's vision while preserving the elegance and emotion at the heart of the performance. 

Working closely with Charlotte MacMillan, we contributed to the wider design and illustration process, bringing her visual world to life through animation and projection. Rather than redefining the ballet’s visual identity, our aim was to enhance it, using projection as a dynamic extension of the stage design while ensuring the dancers and choreography remained the focal point throughout.

A storybook aesthetic became the foundation, combining parchment textures, etched illustrations and flowing ink animations to create the feeling of a story unfolding from the pages of an old book or manuscript. Through evolving loops and animation techniques that increased in complexity as the narrative progressed, the visuals amplified the emotional subtext of the choreography, supporting character development and key moments of transformation.

Each character was given a distinct visual identity through carefully considered colour grading and lighting, from dramatic lighting elements reflecting danger and tension around the antagonist, to brighter rays of light symbolising hope and renewal for the rescuing prince.