Birmingham Royal Ballet – week-long residency at The Rep

Tickets are on sale for Birmingham Royal Ballet’s residency at The Rep from Sunday 8 -Saturday 14 May.

The residency continues the company’s ongoing partnership with the theatre, created by BRB’s Director Carlos Acosta and The Rep’s Artistic Director Sean Foley in 2020, to help revive the city’s cultural life following lockdown.

Sean commented “We are delighted to have forged such an exciting and dynamic new artistic relationship with Birmingham Royal Ballet over the last year, and now look forward to welcoming our City partners back to our epic and intimate main stage for a season that celebrates some of the very best new work from this magnificent Company.”

The inaugural performances at The Rep took place in October 2020 with the world premiere of Lazuli Sky by Will Tuckett, marking the reopening of The REP and BRB’s return to live performances. This was followed in June 21 with the world premiere of City of a Thousand Trades commissioned by Carlos Acosta and choreographed by Miguel Altunaga. BRB and The REP also collaborated on specially adapted seasons of Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker and Sir David Bintley’s Cinderella during ‘20 and ’21.

The week-long residency in May will feature performances aimed at all ages including a showcase of new choreographic talent, performances by BRB’s world-class dancers, a special performance for those new to ballet accompanied with live music from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia

The company opens its residency at The Rep on Sunday 8 May with Dance Track 25 marking the 25th anniversary of the talent development scheme featuring Dance Track alumni and students at the Royal Ballet School and Elmhurst Ballet School.

Dance Track 25 also features performances by BRB Principals Céline Gittens and Brandon Lawrence who will be co-hosting alongside BRB Board member Shireenah Ingram. Dance Track 25 is generously supported by HSBC UK.

Dance Track 25 is followed on Sunday 10 May by New Dance Now, a showcase of new choreographic talent.  This special evening will feature brand new work by a new generation of young upcoming choreographers from the UK’s leading ballet companies.

At the end of this exciting evening the audience will be invited to vote for their favourite choreographic star.

The residency continues Friday 13-Saturday 14 May with An Evening of Music and Dance with performances by BRB’s world-class dancers in a concert performance of a ballet repertoire hand-picked by Carlos Acosta. Performances include the famous Bluebird pas de deux from The Sleeping Beauty and the beautiful Farewell pas de deux from Kenneth MacMillan’s Winter Dreams with music from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia live on stage

Shireenah Ingram will return to host Discover Dance & Music on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 May. Discover Dance & Music is a magical journey into ballet for everyone aged 4+. With music from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Shireenah will be joined by conductor Philip Ellis to introduce audiences to the instruments of the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, present BRB’s brilliant dancers in highlights from classic ballets, and a host of interactive fun, games and animal antics.

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s week-long residency at The Rep runs from Sunday 8-Saturday 14 May. Tickets can be booked www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/

Dance Track 25 (Sunday 8 May, 2pm & 6pm), £10

New Dance Now (Tuesday 10 May, 7.30pm), £15

An Evening of Music & Dance (Friday 13 & Saturday 14 May, 7.30pm) – From £18.50

Discover Dance & Music (Schools: Friday 13 May, 1pm & Saturday 14 May, 2.30pm) – From £12.50, Age 4+