Glen Tetley created this contemporary dance in 1962, initially for his own dance company, in the USA, but it had such impact that it has subsequently been performed by many dance companies across the world. It is widely considered to be surreal and sublime. It merges the aesthetics of classical ballet with modern dance in a stark, dreamlike setting.

I have always been fascinated by this ballet. I saw Ballet Rambert’s production, with Christopher Bruce as Pierrot Lunaire, in the 1980s. Rambert recently granted me access to their archive to discover more about their production. In February 2026 the Royal Ballet revived the dance to celebrate the centenary of Tetley. I was granted permission to photograph a dress rehearsal for both casts. The images below describe key moments in the dance as the innocent Pierrot is drawn to his antagonists and they progressively strip away his innocent illusions and leave him broken down to experience the darker, more violent side of human nature.

Choreography: Glen Tetley Music: Arnold Schoenberg Set and Costume Designer: Rouben Ter-Arutunian Pierrot: Marcelino Sambé Columbine: Mayara Magri Brighella: Matthew Ball - The Royal Ballet, 2026