Ballet

  • Ballet,  theatre

    Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker In Havana

    I must’ve seen The Nutcracker more than 20 times. I’ve seen the famous Birmingham Royal Ballet version every Christmas for at least 15 years. I’ve seen the London Coliseum version. I’ve watched it on TV. It’s safe to say I’m a fan but, until last night, I had never seen The Nutcracker in the sun. Who would’ve thought that would work, but it really does. The Nutcracker in Havana, performed last night at the Wolverhampton Grand by Acosta Danza is a colourful, exhilarating masterpiece. A standing ovation was much deserved. The story is familiar, and yet transformed. It’s still Christmas Eve, but a Cuban Christmas Eve, with dancing, presents and…

  • Ballet,  fashion,  theatre

    The Nutcracker: Bringing Its Magic Back To Birmingham

    The Birmingham Royal Ballet returned to the stage of the Birmingham Hippodrome last night with, what has to be the most magical and exquisite Ballet of them all. Yes, I’m talking about Sir Peter Wright’s masterpiece, The Nutcracker, which traditionally brings Christmas officially to Birmingham. Forget the German market, when Tchaikovsky’s overture begins, Christmas is truly here. Tchaikovsky’s classic Christmas tale of magic and mystery that takes place on Christmas Eve is a festive staple. And after taking a break last year for the marvellous, and sometimes hilarious Cinderella, The Nutcracker made a welcome return with what may be its most beautiful staging ever. The story is a simple one,…

  • Ballet,  Birmingham,  children,  dance,  Entertainment

    La Fille Mal Gardee at the Birmingham Hippodrome

    La Fille Mal Gardee by the Birmingham Royal Ballet started a four night run at the Birmingham Hippodrome last night, and delighted and charmed audiences with it’s story of true love almost thwarted by the power of money. The ballet was created by Frederick Ashton in 1960 and is the simple story of the beautiful Lise, in this instance played by the enchanting Beatrice Parma, who is deeply in love with a poor farm lad called Colas(Enrique Bejarano Vidal – just perfect). They are perfectly matched but Lise’s mother, the widow Simone wants a better (read richer) match for her beloved daughter. She finds this in the umbrella obsessed Alain,…