Opposites Attract

Flair, energy and innovation in three original modern ballets.

Creating her first piece for a major European company, award-winning American choreographer, Jessica Lang crosses the Atlantic to make this ballet, jointly commissioned by International Dance Festival Birmingham 2012 and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Set to romantic musical miniatures by Norwegian master Edvard Grieg and with a hand-picked design team, Lyric Pieces promises to be one of the Company’s highlights of 2012.

Director David Bintley invites you to share his love of jazz and, in particular, the music of Dave Brubeck. In homage to one of his heroes, he created this sexy and energetic series of vignettes to some of Brubeck’s most famous tracks including, Take Five and Unsquare Dance.

One of Dutch choreographer Hans van Manen’s most famous works, Grosse Fuge is an invigorating and uplifting experience, that has lost none of its power over the last 40 years. The tension is palpable as four men and four women take to the stage, their gazes never meeting. Bare-chested, the men enter into a stern and muscular display. Ripping the men’s skirts from them, the women meet them on equal terms, and the two groups engage in a ritualised dance of raw power and sexuality.

'A ballet of dreams and romantic moods which succeeds beautifully'
THE STAGE ON LYRIC PIECES

'An instant polished classic'
THE OXFORD TIMES ON TAKE FIVE

'The essence of the sensuous, rousing notes of jazz legend Dave Brubeck'
BIRMINGHAM POST ON TAKE FIVE

'Deliriously sexy'
THE EXPRESS ON GROSSE FUGE

'Utterly masculine, daring and aggressive'
THE STAGE ON GROSSE FUGE

'Hans van Manen does Basic Instinct in ballet better than anyone alive'
THE ARTSDESK ON GROSSE FUGE