13 February 2018
Newsdesk
Birmingham Royal Ballet's 2018/19 season weaves a series of enduring stories into dance, bringing them to life for a modern world. The timeless beauty of a ballerina silhouetted in the wings, the electrifying thrill of daring dance, the swell of strings in a darkened theatre; these are the almost indescribable moments when hearts race, imaginations ignite and memories are made. Be inspired and moved by the evocative power of ballet, in a world Beyond Words season.
Throughout the course of the season, the Company will give an astonishing 159 performances of 11 different productions at 13 venues across the country, with 90% of its shows taking place outside London.
From the perpetual sunshine of Frederick Ashton's La Fille mal gardée (26 Sep - 10 Nov), to the storybook fantasy of David Bintley's Beauty and the Beast (30 Jan - 30 Mar), and the endearing, mischievous fun of Hobson's Choice (19 - 26 Jun), the full-length ballets of the Beyond Words season capture classic stories loved by all, told in a universal language.
Juanjo Arqués and Didy Veldman deliver two of the season's four world premieres as part of Birmingham Royal Ballet's pioneering Ballet Now talent development programme. The Fire & Fury mixed programme (3 - 31 October) welcomes back David Bintley's The King Dances alongside Juanjo Arqués's Ignite. Inspired by William Turner's painting 'The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons', Ignite will translate vibrant colour into atmospheric choreography, inspiring a symbolic narrative unique to each audience member.
Didy Veldman's new work for the Company premieres as part of a mixed programme of female choreography, [Un]leashed (12 - 29 Jun). The bill features Jessica Lang's beautiful Lyric Pieces alongside the world premiere of Petra and the Wolf, an innovative contemporary view of the classic tale choreographed by Birmingham Royal Ballet First Artist, Ruth Brill.
Petra and the Wolf also appears as part of the Company's new midscale offering, Home from Home. Inspired by Sergei Prokofiev's symphonic fairytale, Petra and the Wolf will blend classical ballet with a fusion of urban influences to create a vibrant, multi-disciplinary production. Petra and the Wolf is accompanied by the world premiere of A Season in Our World, which takes the audience on a journey through a diverse range of music genres and dance traditions from around the world.
Sir Peter Wright's acclaimed production of The Nutcracker returns to Birmingham Hippodrome for the festive season (23 Nov - 13 Dec), transporting the audience beyond the theatre to a realm of giant Christmas trees and dancing snowflakes.
The acclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia takes centre stage once more for the spectacular Evening of Music and Dance. This popular annual gala, compered by David Bintley, includes well-loved gems and hidden classics selected by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conductors alongside danced excerpts from Birmingham Royal Ballet's repertory.
Alongside the main programme, Birmingham Royal Ballet continues to introduce new audiences from touring venues across the country to their world-class dance and music. From primary schools to care homes, community centres to museums, the Company unlocks amazing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
Younger audience members continue to enjoy Birmingham Royal Ballet's First Steps programme. These hour-long, interactive shows are specially adapted for children aged 3+. A storyteller captures their imagination, introducing the music, leading characters and some of the technical magic - the perfect introduction to ballet.
La Fille mal gardée
September - November 2018
Music: Ferdinand Hérold
Arranged by: John Lanchbery
Choreography: Frederick Ashton
Designs: Osbert Lancaster
Lighting: Peter Teigen
Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB; 0844 338 5000
birminghamhippodrome.com
Wednesday 26 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 29 September
On sale: Season subscription 13 March 11am, single tickets 19 April 11am
Plymouth Theatre Royal
Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2TR; 01752 267222
theatreroyal.com
Thursday 11 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 13 October
On sale: 2 March
The Lowry, Salford
Lowry Outlet, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ; 0843 208 6000
thelowry.com
Wednesday 24 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 27 October
On sale: 23 February
Sadler's Wells, London
Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN; 020 7863 8000
sadlerswells.com
Thursday 1 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 3 November
On sale: to be announced
Grand Opera House, Belfast
goh.co.uk
2-4 Great Victoria St, Belfast, BT2 7HR; 028 9024 1919
Wednesday 7 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 10 November
On sale now
Fire & Fury
October 2018
The King Dances
Music: Stephen Montague
Choreography: David Bintley
Designs: Katrina Lindsey
Lighting: Peter Mumford
Ignite
Music: Gabriel Prokofiev
Choreography: Juanjo Arqués
Designs: Tatyana Van Walsum
Lighting: Bert Dalhuysen
Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB; 0844 338 5000
birminghamhippodrome.com
Wednesday 3 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 6 October
On sale: Season subscription 13 March 11am, single tickets 19 April 11am
Plymouth Theatre Royal
Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2TR; 01752 267222
theatreroyal.com
Tuesday 9 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Wednesday 10 October
On sale: 2 March
Sadler's Wells, London
Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN; 020 7863 8000
sadlerswells.com
Tuesday 30 (PRESS NIGHT) - Wednesday 31 October
On sale: to be announced
The Nutcracker
Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB; 0844 338 5000
birminghamhippodrome.com
Friday 23 November (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Thursday 13 December
On sale now
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: Peter Wright; Lev Ivanov; Vincent Redmond
Production: Peter Wright
Designs: John F. MacFarlane
Lighting: David A. Finn
Beauty and the Beast
January - May 2019
Music: Glen Buhr
Choreography: David Bintley
Designs: Philip Prowse
Lighting: Mark Jonathan
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
22-26 Commercial Rd, Southampton, SO15 1GE; 023 8071 1811
mayflower.org.uk
Wednesday 30 January (PRESS NIGHT, 7.15pm) - Saturday 2 February
On sale now
Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB; 0844 338 5000
birminghamhippodrome.com
Wednesday 20 February (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 2 March
On sale: Season subscription 13 March 11am, single tickets 19 April 11am
Plymouth Theatre Royal
Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2TR; 01752 267222
theatreroyal.com
Wednesday 6 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 9 March
On sale: to be announced
Edinburgh Festival Theatre
13-29 Nicolson St, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT; 0131 529 6000
edtheatres.com/festival
Wednesday 13 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 16 March
On sale: to be announced
The Lowry, Salford
Lowry Outlet, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ; 0843 208 6000
thelowry.com
Wednesday 20 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 23 March
On sale: to be announced
Sunderland Empire
High Street West, Sunderland, SR1 3EX; 0844 871 7627
atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire
Thursday 28 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 30 March
On sale: to be announced
Bristol Hippodrome
St Augustine's Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UZ; 0844 871 7627
atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome
Performance dates to be announced
Evening of Music & Dance
February 2019
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA; 0121 780 3333
thsh.co.uk
Friday 15 February, 7.30pm
On sale: to be announced
Home from Home
May 2019
A Season in Our World
Further details to be announced.
Petra and the Wolf
Music: Sergei Prokofiev
Choreography: Ruth Brill
Dramaturgy: David Bintley
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
7-10 Regent St, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ; 01242 572 573
everymantheatre.org.uk
Friday 10 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 11 May
On sale: to be announced
Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton
Guildhall Rd, Northampton, NN1 1DP; 01604 624 811
royalandderngate.co.uk
Tuesday 14 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Wednesday 15 May
On sale: to be announced
Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury
Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury, SY3 8FT; 01743 281 281
theatresevern.co.uk
Friday 17 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 18 May
On sale: to be announced
Nottingham Theatre Royal
Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND; 0115 989 5555
trch.co.uk
Friday 24 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 25 May
On sale: to be announced
[Un]leashed
June 2019
Lyric Pieces
Music: Edvard Grieg
Choreography: Jessica Lang
Designs: Elena Comendador
Lighting: Nicole Pearce
New Veldman - title to be confirmed
Music: Kate Whitley
Choreography: Didy Veldman
Petra and the Wolf
Music: Sergei Prokofiev
Choreography: Ruth Brill
Dramaturgy: David Bintley
Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB; 0844 338 5000
birminghamhippodrome.com
Wednesday 12 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 15 June
On sale: Season subscription 13 March 11am, single tickets 19 April 11am
Sadler's Wells, London
Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN; 020 7863 8000
sadlerswells.com
w/c 24 June - performance dates to be announced
On sale: to be announced
Hobson's Choice
June 2019
Music: Paul Reade
Choreography: David Bintley
Designs: Hayden Griffin and Claudia Meyer
Lighting: John B. Read
Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB; 0844 338 5000
birminghamhippodrome.com
Wednesday 19 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 22 June
Sadler's Wells, London
Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN; 020 7863 8000
sadlerswells.com
w/c 24 June - performance dates to be announced
On sale: to be announced
