Ballet
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Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Don Quixote Is Magnificent.
The neverending wind and rain may have been wreaking havoc outside, but at the Birmingham Hippodrome it was all about the warm Spanish sunshine, as the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s intoxicating Don Quixote had its opening night. Carlos Acosta’s wonderful reworking of the classic ballet combines wit and passion, stirring music and the most exquisite, Flamenco inspired dance to create a masterpiece of entertainment that is warm, witty and utterly stunning. Don Quixote, the wonderful Jonathan Payne, is a simple sole who lives in a world of make believe. He believes himself to be medieval knight on a quest to serve the bridelike Lady Dulcinea, and sets off, with a fruit bowl…
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The Nutcracker – Christmas Comes To Birmingham
The Birmingham Hippodrome was once again transformed into the epitome of Christmas as the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s classic production of The Nutcracker opened last night. The ballet is always seen as the opening of Christmas in Birmingham, and, once again, it’s charm, beauty and magic thrilled the sell out audience. This year it is celebrating 35 years since it first came to Birmingham and The Nutcracker can still be described in a single word- enchanting. It is Christmas Eve and the Stahlbaum family are giving a party for family and friends. A magician Drosselmeyer is invited and gives the Stahlbaum’s oldest daughter Clara the gift of a Nutcracker. When the…
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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…
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Cinderella Brings Half Term Magic To Birmingham
One of the most magical ballets of them all made a welcome return to Birmingham last night, when Cinderella opened at the Birmingham Hippodrome. The classic story, with choreography by David Bintley and a soaring score by Prokofiev, proved to be the perfect family entertainment for half term as it enchanted the audience, old and young. The story is totally faithful to the classic, much loved fairy tale, with the cast of characters, the glass coach, the glass slipper and the clock striking at midnight, all in place. The ugly sisters are more spiteful and stupid than ugly, but are also, and this is a huge part of the charm…
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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…
