10 Forgotten Ballets That Deserve A Comeback

We all know the classics – Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Giselle. These timeless works are staples of every ballet season and for good reason. But for every enduring favourite, there are dozens of ballets that once dazzled audiences and then quietly slipped into the wings of history.

Some were shelved due to changing tastes, others fell victim to lost scores or choreography and a few were simply overshadowed by bigger names. Yet many of these forgotten ballets are packed with beauty, innovation and storytelling flair that would feel right at home on today’s stages.

So, let’s dust off the archives and take a toe-tapping tour through 10 ballets we think are overdue for a revival. Curtain up!

1. La Fille du Danube (The Daughter of the Danube) – 1836 Choreographed by Filippo Taglioni (father of Marie Taglioni), this romantic-era ballet was all moonlight, mystery and water spirits. Marie’s performance in the title role was legendary – floating across the stage with otherworldly lightness in her diaphanous costume.
Why it deserves a comeback: It’s like a freshwater cousin to La Sylphide, full of romantic charm and beautiful music by Adolphe Adam. The ethereal river theme could offer modern companies a lush, shimmering production with a contemporary twist.

2. The Pharaoh’s Daughter – 1862 Petipa strikes again with this full-blown spectacle set in ancient Egypt. Think Cleopatra meets Swan Lake with pyramids, mummies and time travel. It was a massive success in its time but rarely seen outside of Russia today.
Why it deserves a comeback: Extravagant sets, exotic locales and dreamy pas de deux? Yes please! This one could absolutely thrill modern audiences with a bold reimagining.

3. Coppélia Act III Variations (Original) – 1870 We know Coppélia, but did you know that the original third act contained a series of charming national dances and allegorical solos representing concepts like Time, Dawn and Prayer? Many modern productions trim or skip these.
Why it deserves a comeback: These dances offer a lovely balance of storytelling and technique – perfect for developing young soloists and giving audiences a broader taste of Delibes’ glorious music.

4. Le Talisman – 1889 A mystical, romantic ballet choreographed by Petipa with music by Riccardo Drigo, Le Talisman follows a goddess who descends to Earth and falls in love with a mortal. Lots of flowing veils and divine dilemmas.
Why it deserves a comeback: Think of it as the spiritual sibling of La Bayadère, with celestial themes and juicy roles for principal dancers. Its themes of fate and choice would resonate with today’s audience, especially with an updated narrative lens.

5. The Magic Flute (ballet version) – 1893 Long before the ballet world borrowed Mozart’s opera, Lev Ivanov (of Nutcracker fame) created a whimsical ballet based on The Magic Flute. It featured fantasy, romance and of course, a flute with mystical powers.
Why it deserves a comeback: With the right staging, this could be a magical, family-friendly production – a less sugary alternative to The Nutcracker with classical music flair.

6. The Bandits (Les Brigands) – 1899 This comic ballet with music by Leon Minkus featured wild hijinks, mistaken identities, and – yes – dancing outlaws. It’s packed with humour and fun, far from the usual tragic romance.
Why it deserves a comeback: Ballet doesn’t always have to be serious. This could be the perfect vehicle for showcasing dancers’ comedic timing and injecting some levity into a season.

7. The Crystal Slipper – 1931 Before Disney put Cinderella in her famous blue gown, Prokofiev’s score for The Crystal Slipper brought the fairytale to ballet. Though it evolved into the more well-known Cinderella (1945), the earlier work is a forgotten gem.
Why it deserves a comeback: The 1931 version is a slightly darker, more stylised interpretation – perfect for companies looking to offer something familiar yet fresh.

8. The Green Table – 1932 Choreographed by Kurt Jooss, The Green Table is an anti-war ballet with stark, expressionist movements and haunting imagery. It’s still performed occasionally, but far less frequently than its impact deserves.
Why it deserves a comeback: It’s timely, powerful and strikingly relevant today. Its message about the futility of war could be a poignant part of any company’s rep.

9. Checkmate – 1937 This British ballet by Ninette de Valois features red and black chess pieces brought to life in a fierce struggle for domination. It was once a major hit for The Royal Ballet but is now seldom revived.
Why it deserves a comeback: Sharp choreography, bold costumes, and a gripping narrative – what’s not to love? With today’s stagecraft, Checkmate could be a visually stunning spectacle.

10. Pineapple Poll – 1951 A cheeky British ballet with music by Gilbert & Sullivan, Pineapple Poll is full of sailors, sweethearts and splendid silliness. It was hugely popular in the mid-20th century, often described as the ballet world’s answer to a comedy musical.
Why it deserves a comeback: It’s lighthearted, tuneful and accessible to new audiences. It’s also a brilliant showcase for corps dancers and character performers. Ballet can (and should) make us laugh more often!

So… Where Did They Go?

Many of these ballets faded due to practical challenges – missing choreography, outdated costumes, lost scores or changes in taste. Some fell out of favour because they didn’t fit the increasingly romantic or modern ideals of their time. Others were victims of war, censorship or simply shifting company priorities. But lost doesn’t mean gone forever. Thanks to a resurgence of interest in historical reconstruction and archive-led choreography, some of these works are being rediscovered and revived.

Let’s Bring Them Back!

Why should we give these forgotten ballets a second bow? Because they:

• Offer fresh material in a field that sometimes leans too heavily on the same five or six titles.

• Celebrate the full breadth of ballet history, from slapstick to sacred.

• Provide new opportunities for dancers to stretch their skills with unfamiliar roles.

• Reconnect us to ballet’s rich, often overlooked cultural heritage.

Modern audiences are curious, savvy and hungry for both the comfort of the known and the thrill of the new. Reviving these forgotten gems would bring variety, excitement and a sense of discovery back into the season.

Curtain Call

Ballet is a living art and like any art form, it grows richer when we explore both its future and its past. These ballets may have been pushed aside for a time, but they’re bursting with potential. All they need is a stage, some dancers and an audience ready to fall in love again. So here’s to the forgotten ballets – the ones gathering dust in the archives but dreaming of a spotlight. Let’s give them a well-deserved comeback!

Have a forgotten ballet you adore? Then share it here – let’s keep these magical ballets alive.

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