PRESS RELEASE 6 December 2019
BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET GLIDES INTO 2020 WITH UK TOUR OF SIR PETER WRIGHT’S ACCLAIMED SWAN LAKE, FIRST STEPS: SWAN LAKE AND SWAN LAKE DREAMS
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s critically acclaimed Swan Lake, first created in 1981 by Sir Peter Wright and Galina Samsova, will tour the UK from 29 January 2020.
SWAN LAKE: 29 January- 4 April 2020
Ballet’s greatest love story returns in Birmingham Royal Ballet’s lavish production. This romantic fable of ill-fated passion, powerfully illuminated by Tchaikovsky’s legendary score played live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, has bewitched audiences for generations. In 2020 the production will tour to Southampton, Birmingham, Salford, Sunderland and Plymouth.
By a moonlit lake, a grieving prince witnesses the transformation of a swan into a beautiful princess. Compelled by an evil spell to spend her days in the form of a bird, she can only be saved by the power of love.
Filled with exquisite ensembles, lyrical pas de deux and bravura solos, this Swan Lake is atmospheric, romantic and beautiful – an unforgettable experience.
The cast will include Céline Gittens and Momoko Hirata in the double principal roles of Odette/ Odile, partnered respectively with Tyrone Singleton and César Morales as Prince Siegfried.
RELAXED PERFORMANCE OF SWAN LAKE: 25 February 2020 at Birmingham Hippodrome, 12pm
In partnership with the Hippodrome, Birmingham Royal Ballet is presenting a relaxed performance of Swan Lake during its Birmingham run. Pioneers in making ballet accessible for all audiences, this is a carefully thought through experience that can be enjoyed by everyone, whatever their access needs.
FIRST STEPS: SWAN LAKE: 31 January – 3 April 2020
Alongside the full Swan Lake production, this hour-long, interactive afternoon show features excerpts from the ballet, performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet's amazing dancers and full orchestra. These are interspersed with scenes in which a storyteller sets the scene, introduces the children to the music and characters, and shares some of the technical magic surrounding the ballet. A feast of dance, music, costumes and lots of fun, this is a perfect introduction to ballet.
SWAN LAKE DREAMS: 2 February – 31 March 2020
Birmingham Royal Ballet has been rolling out its large-scale performance project, Swan Lake Dreams, to ballet students of all ages and abilities in two of its touring regions as well as from across the Midlands.
A cast of approximately 70 selected students from each of the Birmingham, Plymouth and Southampton areas were invited earlier this year to audition for a role in a performance on the main stage of their local theatre, alongside the company.
They have each been given the opportunity to train, rehearse and perform in a full-length ballet alongside Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers. Open to ballet students aged eight+, the Swan Lake Dreams project gives insight into the Company workings while aiming to develop talent and raise aspirations for dancers of all ages.
The Company will partner with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, whose orchestra will accompany the Swan Lake Dreams Birmingham performance, conducted by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s principal conductor, Paul Murphy.
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Participation Manager, Rebecca Brookes, said “We are thrilled to be working inclusively with ballet students across the country to encourage their passion for dance. After the success in previous years of our Sleeping Beauty Dreams and Cinderella Dreams projects, Swan Lake Dreams aims to reach even more talented and aspiring dancers and to provide enjoyable and empowering experiences for those interested in learning more about a leading international Ballet Company.”
For further information about the project, please visit brb.org.uk/dreams
Press images for Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake are available to download here
For further information please contact [email protected]
Listings Information
Swan Lake, First Steps: Swan Lake and Swan Lake Dreams
29 January – 4 April 2020
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Choreography: Peter Wright, Lev Ivanov, Marius Petipa Production: Peter Wright, Galina Samsova Designs: Philip Prowse Lighting: Peter Teigen
Mayflower Theatre 22-26 Commercial Rd, Southampton SO15 1GE; 02380 711811 www.mayflower.org.uk Wednesday 29 January – Saturday 1 February 2020 First Steps: Swan Lake: Friday 31 January 2020, 1pm Swan Lake Dreams: Sunday 2 February 2020, 7pm
Birmingham Hippodrome Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB; 0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Tuesday 18 – Saturday 29 February 2020 First Steps: Swan Lake: Friday 21 February 2020, 4.30pm Audio-described performance of Swan Lake: Saturday 22 February 2020, 2.30pm (Touch Tour: 10.30am) Swan Lake Dreams: Sunday 23 February 2020, 7pm Relaxed performance of Swan Lake: Tuesday 25 February 2020, 12pm
The Lowry Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ; 0343 208 6000 www.thelowry.com Wednesday 4 – 7 March 2020 Audio-described performance of Swan Lake: Saturday 7 March 2020, 2pm (Touch Tour: 10.30am) First Steps: Swan Lake: Friday 6 March 2020, 4.30pm
Sunderland Empire 4-5 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3EX; 0844 871 3022 www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 March 2020 First Steps: Swan Lake: Thursday 12 March 2020, 4.30pm
Theatre Royal Plymouth Royal Parade, Plymouth PL1 2TR; 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal.com Wednesday 1 – Saturday 4 April 2020 Swan Lake Dreams: Tuesday 31 March 2020, 7pm First Steps: Swan Lake: Friday 3 April 2020, 4.30pm
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Birmingham Royal Ballet Based at Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Royal Ballet is the United Kingdom’s leading touring ballet company performing a range of traditional, classical and heritage ballets as well as ground-breaking new works with the aim of encouraging choreographers of the future.
The company’s incoming Director is the internationally renowned Carlos Acosta who will be taking up his appointment as Director in January 2020.
Birmingham Royal Ballet performs at Birmingham Hippodrome for approximately ten weeks of the year and the remainder of the year tours throughout the United Kingdom and overseas.
The Royal Ballet Sinfonia is Britain's busiest ballet orchestra, playing for Birmingham Royal Ballet's wide-ranging programme. The Sinfonia also plays frequently for The Royal Ballet and other leading ballet companies, including performances with; The Royal Ballet, Paris Opéra Ballet, New York City Ballet, Australian Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, the Kirov, Norwegian Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and La Scala Ballet.