Birmingham Royal Ballet's The King Dances, a brand-new production by David Bintley at its home venue of Birmingham Hippodrome, celebrates his 20th year as Director.
The King Dances is David Bintley's 21st new ballet created for the company since taking the reins from Sir Peter Wright in 1995. It reimagines the origins of ballet from the perspective of the young Louis XIV of France, also known as the Sun King.
In 1653, the 14-year-old Louis XIV danced the role of Apollo the sun god in Le Ballet de la nuit, earning himself the soubriquet the Sun King. David Bintley explores the events surrounding the King’s passion for the art form and the very beginnings of ballet, when men were, quite literally, the kings of dance.
Designs are by Tony Award-winning Katrina Lindsay, lighting by Olivier Award-winning Peter Mumford and a new score by Stephen Montague.
The production will be the focus of a BBC Four documentary due to air early September where David Bintley will retrace the steps of Louis XIV in locations around France as well as going backstage during the creation of The King Dances. The programme will also feature a full screening of the production.
The King Dances plays in a double bill at Birmingham Hippodrome alongside the revival of David Bintley’s Carmina burana, the first ballet he ever made for Birmingham Royal Ballet as Director in 1995.