Birmingham Royal Ballet Announces 2017-18 Season

Birmingham Royal Ballet announce an exciting and diverse season for 2017/2018 Birmingham Royal Ballet is delighted to announce its 2017-18 season - 12 months of world-class dance and music in productions that range from traditional classical ballet, to works that celebrate some of the best choreographers of the 20th century, and to new ballets created for the Company.

Performances start in autumn 2017 and include the return of family favourite Aladdin. To celebrate the work of one of the great British choreographers, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, 25 years after his death, the Company performs a Mixed Programme that includes two iconic works: Concerto and Elite Syncopations. These appear alongside David Bintley's iconic 'Still Life' at the Penguin Café,which is also performed in a second mixed programme with Michael Corder's Le Baiser de la fée and Arcadia, a new ballet by the Company's own Ruth Brill.

After the hugely popular and well-loved delights of Sir Peter Wright's The Nutcracker in the run up to Christmas, we see the return of his glorious production of The Sleeping Beauty, classical ballet at its most exquisite. This is followed in the summer by an energy-filled mixed programme, featuring former Company dancer Alexander Whitley's Kin. and the mesmeric In the Upper Room from dance legend Twyla Tharp, alongside a brand-new work.

The year comes to a close with another work from MacMillan, the powerful and dramatic Romeo and Juliet.

Alongside the main programme, Birmingham Royal Ballet continues to introduce new audiences of all ages to our world-class dance and music. Studio to Stage is an hour-long, entertaining and in-depth introduction to the world of ballet, demystifying the language, the artistry and the practicalities of all the leaps, legs and lifts. This inclusive, relaxed experience aims to prove that ballet really is for everyone.

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. Further projects take place in Birmingham Royal Ballet's touring venues across the country. From primary schools to care homes, community centres to museums, the Company unlocks amazing opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

Full dates and details of all performances appear on brb.org.uk as they go on sale.

ALADDIN
September - October 2017

Step onto a magic carpet and soar into the fantastical world of David Bintley's Aladdin, with music by BAFTA award-winning composer Carl Davis, played live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. The classic story of Aladdin and his adventures with a magic lamp is brought to life in this glittering production, featuring lavish sets and costumes, stunning special effects and beautiful choreography.

Magic abounds when the Djinn of the Lamp appears, from a cave of dancing jewels to a larger than life Chinese lion. As our hero finds out, you can even become a prince overnight! Aladdin is a dazzling spectacle the whole family will enjoy.

Music: Carl Davis
Choreography: David Bintley
Sets: Dick Bird
Costumes: Sue Blane
Lighting: Mark Jonathan

The Lowry
Lowry Outlet, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ; Box Office: 0843 208 6000; www.thelowry.com

Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB; Box Office: 0844 338 5000; www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Tuesday 3 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 7 October

Theatre Royal, Plymouth
Royal Parade, Plymouth PL1 2TR; Box Office: 01752 267222; www.theatreroyal.com
Wednesday 25 (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Saturday 28 October

Sadler's Wells, London
Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4TN; Box Office: 020 7863 8000; www.sadlerswells.com
Tuesday 31 October (PRESS NIGHT, 7.30pm) - Thursday 2 November

PENGUIN CAFÉ MIXED PROGRAMME (Birmingham)
September 2017

Get swept up in ragtime fun in Kenneth MacMillan's Elite Syncopations, where a host of eccentric characters flirt, dance and vie for the limelight. This playful combination of comedic flair, riotous colour and Scott Joplin's iconic music is guaranteed to please.

Youthful energy and technical precision collide in MacMillan's Concerto. Set to Shostakovich's Second Piano Concerto, MacMillan's sprightly and vigorous choreography conveys the infectious joy of dancing.

Finally, a colourful host of endangered animals seek shelter from the storm at the Penguin Café. Featuring a morris-dancing flea, a ballroom-dancing ram, a woolly monkey and many more, 'Still Life' at the Penguin Café is a witty and poignant look at man's effect on the world.

Performances feature live music from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, conducted by Paul Murphy and Philip Ellis.

Elite Syncopations
Music: Scott Joplin and others
Choreography: Kenneth MacMillan
Designs: Ian Spurling
Lighting: John B. Read

Concerto
Music: Dmitri Shostakovich
Choreography: Kenneth MacMillan
Designs: Jürgen Rose
Lighting: John B. Read

'Still Life' at the Penguin Café
Music: Simon Jeffes
Choreography: David Bintley
Designs: Hayden Griffin
Lighting: John B. Read

Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB; Box Office: 0844 338 5000; www.birminghamhippodrome.com

PENGUIN CAFÉ MIXED PROGRAMME (London)
November 2017

A colourful host of endangered animals seek shelter from the storm at the Penguin Café. Featuring a Morris dancing flea, a ballroom-dancing ram, a woolly monkey and many more, 'Still Life' at the Penguin Café is a witty and poignant look at man's effect on the natural world.

In Le Baiser de la fée a young boy's life is marked from the moment a fairy saves his life in the snow, unleashing magical joys and sorrows in choreographer Michael Corder's beautiful interpretation of this classic Hans Christian Andersen tale.

Arcadia witnesses the ancient god Pan unleashed, as Birmingham Royal Ballet's Ruth Brill first mainstage commissioned piece to a new score composed by renowned saxophonist John Harle is given its London premiere.

Performances feature live music from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

'Still Life' at the Penguin Café
Music: Simon Jeffes
Choreography: David Bintley
Designs: Hayden Griffin
Lighting: John B. Read

Le Baiser de la fée
Music: Igor Stravinsky
Choreography: Michael Corder
Designs: John F. Macfarlane
Lighting: Paule Constable

Arcadia
Music: John Harle
Choreography: Ruth Brill
Designs: Atena Ameri
Lighting: Peter Teigen

Sadler's Wells, London
Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4TN; Box Office: 020 7863 8000; www.sadlerswells.com

Sir Peter Wright's production of
THE NUTCRACKER
November - December 2017

This world-famous production by Sir Peter Wright, with exquisite designs by John MacFarlane, is acclaimed as one of the best in the world.

Join Clara as she is swept into an enchanting winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes and a Sugar Plum Fairy. Her magical Christmas tree and her handsome prince with his army of toy soldiers are an unforgettable delight. In this most festive ballet, gigantic sets, lavish costumes, 60 dancers and a full orchestra combine to make the perfect Christmas treat for the entire family.

Performances feature live music from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted for these performances by Koen Kessels, Paul Murphy and Philip Ellis.

Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: Peter Wright, Lev Ivanov, Vincent Redmon
Production: Peter Wright
Designs: John F. Macfarlane
Lighting: David A. Finn

Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB; Box Office: 0844 338 5000; www.birminghamhippodrome.com

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
January - March 2018

The curse of a wicked fairy, one touch of a spindle, and a beautiful princess falls into a deep, enchanted sleep which can only be broken by a kiss from a prince. The Sleeping Beauty is transformed into one of the grandest ballets ever created, with a classical score by Tchaikovsky and original choreography by Marius Petipa. Enter the opulent world of Imperial Russian ballet, with its marvellous mixture of virtuoso dance, fairy tale characters and dazzling spectacle that has delighted audiences for over a hundred years. An enchanting production for all the family.

Performances feature live music from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, conducted by Paul Murphy and Philip Ellis.

Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, Peter Wright
Production: Peter Wright
Designs: Philip Prowse
Lighting: Mark Jonathan

Mayflower Theatre
22-26 Commercial Rd, Southampton SO15 1GE; Box Office: 023 8071 1811; www.mayflower.org.uk
Wednesday 31 January - Saturday 3 February

Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB; Box Office: 0844 338 5000; www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Tuesday 13 - Saturday 24 February

The Lowry
Lowry Outlet, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ; Box Office: 0843 208 6000; www.thelowry.com
Wednesday 28 February- Saturday 3 March

Wales Millennium Centre
Bute Place, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF10 5AL; Box Office: 029 2063 6464; www.wmc.org.uk
Wednesday 14 - Saturday 17 March

Theatre Royal, Plymouth
Royal Parade, Plymouth PL1 2TR; Box Office: 01752 267222; www.theatreroyal.com
Wednesday 21 - Saturday 24 March

IN THE UPPER ROOM MIXED PROGRAMME
June 2018

Alexander Whitley's Kin is an athletic, abstract piece danced to a pulsing hypnotic score by Philip Kline. Kin celebrates the raw kinetics of dance, the virtuosity of ballet technique and the potential for movement to bring us together in different ways.

In the Upper Room is an exhilarating ballet by American dance phenomenon Twlya Tharp. Dancers in sneakers and striking red pointe shoes dominate the stage with energy, flair and finesse.

The final ballet is a new work created as part of Ballet Now, supported by the Oak Foundation - a unique five-year programme developing choreographers, composers and designers to create new and innovative works for the world stage.

Kin. features live music from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted for these performances by Koen Kessels, Paul Murphy and Philip Ellis.

In the Upper Room
Music: Philip Glass
Choreography: Twyla Tharp
Designs: Norma Kamali
Lighting: Jennifer Tipton

Kin.
Music: Phil Kline
Choreography: Alexander Whitley
Designs: Jean-Marc Puissant
Lighting: Peter Teigen

Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB; Box Office: 0844 338 5000; www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Wednesday 20- Saturday 23 June

ROMEO AND JULIET
June - July 2018

Love at first dance, forbidden passions, dangerous secrets and star-crossed fate combine in this exhilarating ballet. Prokofiev's glorious score, played live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, sets hearts alight in Kenneth MacMillan's enduringly popular Romeo and Juliet.

In the most famous love story ever told, a dangerous cocktail of arrogant youth, simmering tension and deadly feud erupts, leaving two young lovers at the mercy of powerful families and their own hearts. From the balcony scene's ecstatic pas de deux, exploring love in all its soaring wonder, to the lovers' heart-breaking end, Romeo and Juliet is dance at its most poignant and beautiful.

All performances feature live music from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted for these performances by Koen Kessels, Paul Murphy and Philip Ellis.

Music: Sergei Prokofiev
Choreography: Kenneth MacMillan
Designs: Paul Andrews
Lighting: John B. Read

Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB; Box Office: 0844 338 5000; www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Tuesday 26 - Saturday 30 June

Bristol Hippodrome
St Augustine's Parade, Bristol BS1 4UZ; Box Office: 0844 871 3012; www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome
Wednesday 4- Saturday 7 July

Photo credit: Kate Howells

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