Black Sabbath The Ballet Makes A Triumphant Return To Birmingham

Black Sabbath The Ballet made a triumphant, emotional return to the Birmingham Hippodrome last night. The incredible, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s celebration of Heavy Metal and the classic form of dance is as unique and stunning as it was at its inception two years ago. But with the death of Ozzy Osbourne this Summer, the Ballet has taken on the role of the most wonderful, poignant, and somehow fitting tribute to the man, and to Black Sabbath, the Birmingham band who invented ‘Heavy Metal’.

Act One And Two

Act One is entitled Heavy Metal Ballet. The routines range from the frenetic bop that is Paranoid, to the more sensuous mood of Solitude and each are incredible, never forgetting the roots of the music, with the talented guitarist giving each scene an edge of the dangerous, raw, almost unpolished rock that Black Sabbbath were famous for.

If act one was about the music, then act 2 was about the story of the band, with the story of the group  being told through archive interviews whist cleverly interspersed with dance of the newly formed band, wearing the late 1960s costumes of the factory workers that they were. It is thrilling and beautiful and works so well with the choice of songs including Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and the delicate, elegant Orchid.

The Fans

The final act is The Fans, and what a finale it is. The dancers in the rock uniform of the t-shirt represent past and present fans, and the enduring legacy of that music, which seemed so otherworldly in 1970. I love the energy of this act, the return of the classic songs of the first act, and the backdrop of the upturned car, bringing back the idea of the Birmingham of Longbridge and Leyland. All the dancers are involved in this scene, giving it a real feel of a rock concert, with music, lights and lots of sweaty, excited fans.

A Special Guest Star

Last night, the atmosphere literally went through the roof with the unexpected emergence of legendary guest star Tony Iommi playing, what else, the famous introduction of Paranoid. It was just an incredible moment- you felt like you were watching something very, very special, both poignant, and totally unforgettable. A wow moment.

Black Sabbath – The Ballet

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