For the first time in its history, Birmingham Royal Ballet has created a season in partnership with leaders from across the world of dance including its new director Carlos Acosta CBE and Ballet Black.
The 2019-20 season will feature 127 performances of ten productions at 11 venues. It marks the transition between David Bintley’s directorship and Carlos Acosta’s first season.
The first full-length production is David Bintley and Galina Samsova's Giselle from 25 September until 2 November. It will be followed by the return of Sir Peter Wright's Swan Lake from 29 January until 4 April. Don Quixote will receive its first UK performances outside London from 19 until 27 June. Acosta will also curate a festival at Birmingham Hippodrome and Sadler's Wells, London in June 2020.
The 2019-20 season features two world premières in the Ballet Now talent development programme. The first, by Queensland Ballet's Jack Lister, appears alongside Cathy Marston's The Suit performed by Ballet Black and Twyla Tharp's tribute to Frank Sinatra, Nine Sinatra Songs. This mixed programme will be performed in Birmingham and London from 19 September until 30 October.
Jack Lister said, “to be given this platform for my first international commission and to collaborate with such a truly gifted creative team is a dream come true.”
Artistic director and founder of Ballet Black, Cassa Pancho MBE, commented, “it’s a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with one of the most established British ballet companies and for our own brilliant dancers to work alongside the world-class talent at BRB.”
The season's second world première, choreographed by Daniela Cardim, is part of a mixed programme curated by Acosta as part of his soon-to-be revealed festival. The bill will be completed by George Balanchine's Theme and Variations and Goyo Montero's Chacona, being premièred at Sadler's Wells, London from 11 until 13 June.
The full programme is available at the Birmingham Royal Ballet web site.