Birmingham Royal Ballet reveals packed new season

The 2019/20 season marks a period of transformation for the ballet. For the first time in the company’s history, the season has been created in partnership with leaders from across the world of dance, including Ballet Black and Birmingham Royal Ballet’s newly appointed director Carlos Acosta CBE, who bring fresh perspectives to the programme, and herald a new era and a bright future ahead.

The season also marks the transition between David Bintley’s directorship and Carlos Acosta’s first season, which will be in 2020-2021.

The first full-length production is David Bintley and Galina Samsova’s production of Giselle from September 25 to November 2, followed by the return of Sir Peter Wright’s Swan Lake.

The end of the season marks a new beginning, as Carlos is welcomed by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s inaugural performances of his comedy Don Quixote, from June 19 to 27, which receives its first UK performances outside London.

Carlos will also curate an energising and celebratory festival at Birmingham Hippodrome and Sadler’s Wells, London in June 2020.

The season features two world premieres in the Ballet Now talent development programme.

The first, by Queensland Ballet’s Jack Lister, appears alongside Cathy Marston’s critically-acclaimed The Suit (performed by Ballet Black) and Twyla Tharp’s sizzling tribute to ‘Old Blue Eyes’, Nine Sinatra Songs. This mixed programme is performed in Birmingham and London, from September 19 to October 30.

Jack Lister said: “I’m really looking forward to working with BRB’s incredibly talented dancers and alongside such highly respected choreographers.

"To be given this platform for my first international commission and to collaborate with such a truly gifted creative team is a dream come true."

Artistic Director & Founder of Ballet Black Cassa Pancho MBE said: “I'm thrilled that Ballet Black will be joining Birmingham Royal Ballet for their mixed programme in autumn 2019.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with one of the most established British ballet companies, and for our own brilliant dancers to work alongside the world-class talent at BRB."

The season’s second world premiere, choreographed by Daniela Cardim, is part of a mixed programme curated by incoming director Carlos as part of his soon-to-be revealed festival.

Sir Peter Wright’s acclaimed production of The Nutcracker returns to the Hippodrome for the festive season from November 22 to December 14, transporting the audience beyond the theatre to a realm of giant Christmas trees and dancing snowflakes.

Following the success of Cinderella Dreams in 2017 and Sleeping Beauty Dreams in 2018 at Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Royal Ballet will embark on Swan Lake Dreams – an ambitious engagement and participation project which will be performed on the main stage at Birmingham Hippodrome on February 23 2020, as well as theatres in Southampton and Plymouth.

A cast of approximately 70 selected students from each of the three areas will be given the opportunity to train, rehearse and perform in a full-length ballet alongside Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers. The Swan Lake Dreams project gives insight into the Company workings whilst aiming to develop talent and raise aspirations for dancers of all ages. Auditions will take place between July and October 2019 with intensive and weekly rehearsals from July through to the performances in 2020.

The Company will partner with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, whose orchestra will accompany the Swan Lake Dreams Birmingham performance, conducted by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s principal conductor Paul Murphy.

Julian Lloyd Webber, principal of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, said: “I am delighted that the Conservatoire will partner with Birmingham Royal Ballet on their ground-breaking project Swan Lake Dreams. This is yet another example of the Conservatoire’s commitment to creating unique opportunities for our students to collaborate with world-class partners around the region and beyond."