2007-08 comes to a close

News and features index

News items

	Robert Parker to rejoin the Company August 20, 2008
	David Bintley on choreographic development July 28, 2008
	David Bintley on the programming process July 23, 2008
	Dancer galleries updated July 23, 2008
	Barry Wordsworth leaves Birmingham Royal Ballet July 18, 2008
	Company announcements July 15, 2008
	2007-08 comes to a close July 14, 2008
	Desmond Kelly Gala July 4, 2008
	Desmond Kelly Gala raffle results July 4, 2008
	David Bintley takes on role with New National Theatre, Tokyo June 26, 2008
	Christopher Barron adds to praise for Desmond Kelly June 26, 2008
	David Bintley on Desmond Kelly June 14, 2008
	On sale date for autumn performances in London June 13, 2008
	Individual tickets for 2008-09 Birmingham season on sale 2 June June 1, 2008
	David Bintley to speak at Ikon Gallery, Wednesday 4 June 2008 May 30, 2008
	London autumn dates confirmed May 29, 2008
	David Bintley praises increased fitness standards May 9, 2008
	2008 split tour comes to a close May 8, 2008
	Desmond Kelly OBE Appointed as Artistic Director of Elmhurst May 7, 2008
	Swan Lake greets Secretary of State for Culture April 10, 2008
	2008-09 repertory announced April 4, 2008
	Dancer promotions April 2, 2008
	Sunderland autumn season on sale from Tuesday 11 March March 7, 2008
	2008-09 Birmingham dates announced March 7, 2008
	Desmond Kelly Gala March 1, 2008
	Iain Mackay and Silvia Jimenez to leave Company after Swan Lake February 18, 2008
	New Bintley ballet to premiere in Japan February 11, 2008
	Desmond Kelly and Marion Tait judge Young Dancer Awards regional heat February 5, 2008
	Swan Lake debuts confirmed February 4, 2008
	All South-West and North-East tour dates on sale now February 1, 2008
	Company indicates further international intent January 31, 2008
	New dancers join Birmingham Royal Ballet January 31, 2008
	Dual success at National Dance Awards January 23, 2008
	Freefall season review December 15, 2007
	Christmas season comes to a close December 14, 2007
	Japan 2008 December 7, 2007
	April/May tour 2008 November 15, 2007
	Michael Corder: initial stages November 13, 2007
	Birmingham Royal Ballet appears on BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing November 1, 2007
	Michael Corder visit November 1, 2007
	Birmingham Royal Ballet awarded for 'Outstanding Achievement in Dance' October 22, 2007
	Company to return to Cardiff September 15, 2007
	Jenny Murphy joins BRB Education department September 6, 2007
	John Craxton oversees Daphnis and Chloë amends August 20, 2007
	Oxford 2008 dates now on sale August 11, 2007
	BRB dancers guesting at Royal Festival Hall June 22, 2007
	Travelling to see Birmingham Royal Ballet June 8, 2007
	Robert Parker's final performances confirmed May 31, 2007
	Ballet on the buses May 23, 2007
	Dynamic Dance designers May 14, 2007
	Company launches 2007-08 subscription season in Birmingham April 18, 2007
	Sunderland autumn season goes on sale March 12, 2007
	Plymouth autumn season announced February 27, 2007
	Additional choreographics participant confirmed February 22, 2007
	The show must go on! February 16, 2007
	Choreographics participants confirmed February 7, 2007
	Guests artists for spring season January 20, 2007
	Cyrano: setting the scene December 29, 2006
	Cyrano receives additional firepower December 26, 2006
	Cyrano swordplay December 22, 2006
	Further new choreography for 2007 December 21, 2006
	Curtain falls on most successful Nutcracker yet December 14, 2006
	2007 split tour confirmed December 13, 2006
	BRB dancers to choreograph in 2007 December 6, 2006
	Evening of Music and Dance 2007 December 7, 2006
	USA performances revealed December 7, 2006
	Ballet Hoo! rebroadcast December 5, 2006
	Nutcracker breaks own box office record December 1, 2006
	All Spring 2007 tour dates now on sale December 1, 2006
	BRB receives nominations for classical output November 22, 2006
	Ballet Hoo! Phase 3 November 20, 2006
	Cyrano: early stages October 20, 2006
	Ballet Hoo! graduation October 19, 2006
	Nutcracker gala presentation October 9, 2006
	BRB nominated for TMA Award October 6, 2006
	Lady MacMillan's Ballet Hoo! speech September 30, 2006
	David Bintley's Ballet Hoo! speech September 30, 2006
	David Bintley leads Ballet Hoo! applause September 29, 2006
	Ballet Hoo! - the final stage September 28, 2006

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2007-08 comes to a close

July 14, 2008

Birmingham Royal Ballet's 2007-08 season came to a close this weekend with final performances of Giselle at the Lowry Theatre, Salford.

The Company's Chief Executive, Christopher Barron, spoke today of the past 12 months, describing them as the 'busiest, but most rewarding season in recent history'.

'The sheer volume of performances this year have clearly shown the drive and ambition that exists within the Company right now. 2007-08 saw us embark on some of our biggest national and international tours for a long time, tours which saw the Company present a remarkable amount of repertory, in a variety of dance styles. We have been proud to be able to represent Birmingham in the UK and abroad, and cement our commitment to a city which has supported us so much.'

Nearly 125,000 tickets were sold world-wide for Birmingham Royal Ballet's performances this year. The Company performed over 20 pieces in fewer than 12 months, in over a dozen different venues.

Speaking of the variety of pieces the Company had performed, Director David Bintley said: 'Ballets like Swan Lake are not just standards that pay the rent, they're great, great ballets, and they're part of this Company's history. They're performed world-wide, and I suppose if the critics are playing the comparison game, then you are matching yourself against the very best that the world has to offer. And let's face it, there are a number of companies in this world that perform classics like these exclusively, so there should be some stiff competition out there.

'But the fact that we can perform these traditional classical ballets to such a high standard, and then the following night present an entire programme of jazz ballets - and look as good as an American company who perform nothing but that classical jazz style - is a measure not just of our versatility, but of the style of company that we are.'

Soloist Natasha Oughtred, who joined Birmingham Royal Ballet at the start of the 2007-08 season, spoke of her first year with the Company in a recent interview.

'I think that's something that's really hit me here: in class everyone's giving it their all right up to the end, regardless of the busy-ness of the day we have ahead. Everyone's always full-throttle and it kind of sweeps you along and carries you through, so it's very easy to get on board with that!'

Tickets for all dates on Birmingham Royal Ballet's 2008 autumn tour are on sale, with details available at www.brb.org.uk/whatson.

Tickets for all 2008-09 shows at Birmingham Hippodrome are also already on sale, with full dates and details of subscription packages available at www.brb.org.uk/2008-09.

ENDS