News Story
This season has been an incredible culmination of events, shows, classes, community work and much much more. Below are just some of our highlights from the 22/23 season:
1: We stepped Into the Music!
This was a triple bill to remember - we showcased the world premiere of Hotel; a new piece for BRB by award-winning choreographer Morgann Runacre-Temple, a UK premiere of Jiří Kylián's ethereal ForgottenLand and a classical spectacular, The Seventh Symphony, with music by Beethoven.
Image: Johan Persson of dancers performing Forgotten Land - part of Into the Music.
2: Our new company, BRB2
In early 2023, we launched our new second company, BRB2. This company has completed their inaugural tour to mid-scale venues around the UK and we have announced our new joiners for the next season.
Image: Johan Persson of Enrique Bejarano Vidal and Sofia Liñares during a photoshoot for Diana and Actaeon.
3: 100 Swans took over Theatre Royal Plymouth
Our LEAP team coordinated and coached over 100 Swans of all ages at Theatre Royal Plymouth to create a Flash Flock takeover of the theatre's foyer!
Image: BRB's Flash Flock in the atrium of Theatre Royal Plymouth.
A word from our Director, Carlos Acosta
Where do I start? It's been a truly spectacular season at Birmingham Royal Ballet and it's impossible to highlight any single aspect of it. Touring is always special, of course, and the launch of our second company BRB2 earlier in the year is an exciting new development in reaching new audiences around the country as well as developing young talent.
We performed much-loved classics like Coppélia and Swan Lake, not to mention our gloriously refurbished production of The Nutcracker by Sir Peter Wright. I must say, it’s always a joy to welcome entire families to the theatres we visit.
Our Into the Music mixed programme last autumn featured Jiri Kylian’s masterpiece Forgotten Land, Uwe Scholtz’s breathtaking Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony and the world premiere of the innovative Hotel by Morgan Runacre-Temple and Jessica Wright. This ambitious triple bill demonstrated the versatility of the Company and attracted many positive reviews from the critics and audiences alike.
The on-going work of our LEAP team continues to inspire its participants through its excellent programmes in schools, colleges and in a variety of community settings. Special mention to our very own Freefall Dance Company celebrating its 21st year of thought-provoking dance for the special talents of its members. And then there’s the other community events we participated in: Birmingham Pride, World AIDS Day, Windrush, to name but a few.
Image: Man Yee Lee of Carlos Acosta next to the Birmingham Bullring Bull.
5: The Nutcracker... returned to its former glory!
Hot on the heels of an extensive and painstaking refurbishment of the sets, costumes and props, Sir Peter Wright's The Nutcracker returned to Birmingham Hippodrome to fulfil the festive dreams of 1000s of people!
Image: Bill Cooper of King Rat in The Nutcracker.
6: BRB at Birmingham Pride and NYC Pride!
At BRB we had a fantastic Pride month standing with the LGBTQIA+ community. We were lucky enough to march in the Birmingham and NYC pride parades, perform on the main stage at Birmingham Pride and perform as part of the British Consulate's 10th Anniversary celebrations of their involvement in NYC Pride.
Image: Nicole Tsarouhas of Brandon Lawrence and Tzu-Chao Chou in NYC Pride with the British Consulates.
8: Our spring tour of Swan Lake!
Our UK tour of Swan Lake was a resounding success, visiting six venues around the country from Plymouth to Newcastle. Our version of Swan Lake has been described as ‘the classical ballet’ by Seeing Dance, and was exceptionally well received in the reviews, with five stars from The Telegraph and four stars from The Times.
Bringing a production such as Sir Peter Wright and Galina Samsova’s Swan Lake to the stage relies on the tireless efforts of the choreographers, technical teams, orchestra and of course the fantastically talented BRB dancers.
Watch the video below to see just some of our highlights!
Looking to next season:
Congratulations to all involved in making this season a huge success, and thanks to you, our audiences and all our friends, supporters and donors and I look forward to welcoming you next season, starting with our latest new commission (and another celebration of the best of Birmingham!) Black Sabbath - The Ballet.Carlos Acosta, Director
