Magical season ahead at BRB

Jul 25 2008 Theatre By Diane Parkes

THERE is magic, mystery, romance, humour and drama in the new programme from Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Kicking off the season is the company's very own full length ballet Beauty and the Beast (Oct 1-5) based on the fairy tale and created by BRB director David Bintley.

Having delighted audiences in Japan earlier this year it returns to Birmingham to re-tell the story of Belle and the bad-tempered beast who keeps her captive.

Sitting side-by-side is a Russian Steps triple bill (Oct 9-11) featuring Kenneth Macmillan's Concerto set to Shostakovich, Fokine's Firebird to Stravinsky and an excerpt from Nureyev's Raymonda with music by Glazunov.

Festive favourite The Nutcracker brings Christmas to the stage from Nov 28-Dec 13.

Set on Christmas Eve, this magical classic is a fond favourite for all the family.

Into the New Year the company performs Bintley's Sylvia (Feb 25-28). Set to a score by Delibes, this warm-hearted comedy returns to ancient Rome for a lesson in love.

It is followed by the Pomp and Circumstances triple bill (Mar 4-7) featuring Balanchine's Seranade, Ashton's Enigma Variations and Bintley's 'Still Life' at the Penguin Cafe.

Balanchine a nd Ashton take centre stage in the summer double bill Sir Fred and Mr B (Jun 17-20) which takes in Ashton's beautiful love story The Two Pigeons and Balanchine's lively Mozartiana.

Concluding the season is another triple bill on Jun 24-27. Under the heading Love and Loss, the programme features two pieces by Bintley, Galanteries and The Dance House plus Ashton's The Dream inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The season will also be the first chance for Birmingham audiences to see new company members including Cesar Morales, who joins as principal from English National Ballet and Laura Davenport who has just finished studying at Elmhurst School of Dance in Edgbaston.

Internal promotions this summer include Jamie Bond, Natasha Ought red, Jenna Roberts and Lei Zhao who rises from soloist to first soloist.

For more information on the new programme go to www.brb.org.uk.