When Bayley Webster takes to the stage, there’s a quiet confidence that draws you in before a single step is made. The 25 year-old dancer from Northam, England, has built an impressive career that has already taken him across continents, and now, he’s returning home. As part of Varna International Ballet’s 2026 UK tour, Webster will be performing in some of Britain’s most prestigious theatres, bringing classical favourites Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Cinderella to life once more.
From Devon to the World Stage
Bayley’s story began in 2006 at the Sarah Anne Westcott School of Dance, where his natural talent and discipline quickly marked him out as one to watch. By 2014, he had become a British Ballet Organisation scholar, travelling to London each month to train among the country’s most promising young male dancers. A few years later, he graduated from the School of Ballet Theatre UK with a first-class honours degree in Ballet Performance a milestone that set the stage for a flourishing professional journey.
Joining Ballet Theatre UK straight after graduation, Bayley spent three seasons performing standout roles including Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, and the Prince in Paquita. His time with the company served as a springboard to international stages across Europe and the Americas before joining Varna State Ballet in 2023.
A New Chapter with Varna International Ballet
At Varna, Bayley has quickly made his mark, performing as Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake and dancing leading roles in The Nutcracker and Cinderella. Touring with the company has taken him from Mexico and France to Italy and Bulgaria, and in 2026, he’ll return to the UK for Varna’s most extensive tour yet.
“I’m really excited to be coming back to England to perform again,” Bayley says. “It’s been over three years since I last danced here, so it’ll be wonderful to revisit some of the theatres I know and discover new ones too.”
The Demands and Joys of Touring Life
Performing multiple ballets across weeks of travel requires not just talent but stamina. “Some days are especially challenging when we have double-show days,” he admits. “Maintaining fitness, rest, and injury prevention becomes crucial. Between performances, we use every moment to stretch, rest, or recover.”
Despite the physical demands, Bayley finds the experience deeply rewarding particularly when it comes to the holiday-season magic of The Nutcracker. “It’s my favourite ballet to perform,” he smiles. “There’s such a sense of joy around Christmas, and it’s wonderful to share that feeling with audiences.”
Bringing the Classics to Life
Under Artistic Director Daniela Dimova, Varna International Ballet has built a reputation for blending technical precision with emotional storytelling. The 2026 UK tour accompanied by the Varna International Ballet Orchestra under Music Director Azat Maxutov promises to showcase the company’s signature grandeur and artistry.
“With all three productions, audiences can expect energy, elegance, and contrast,” says Bayley. “Each ballet tells a very different story, but they’re all filled with passion and spectacle from beginning to end.”
For audiences, the upcoming tour offers a rare chance to see one of Europe’s most celebrated companies perform timeless works on home soil — and for Bayley, it marks a homecoming that feels both personal and poetic.
Varna International Ballet and Orchestra’s UK Tour 2026 runs from 6 January to 14 March, opening at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall. Tickets available via individual theatre box offices and rg.live.
