2015–16 Birmingham Season
BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET
at home in Birmingham
As we open our 25th season in Birmingham, we thank you for your continuing welcome in the City. Your support is what keeps us going, so we’re delighted to announce this sparkling new season dedicated to the City of Birmingham. We believe that no other theatrical experience can match the artistry and spectacle of Birmingham Royal Ballet: 60 dancers from around the world, living and working full-time in the City; the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, the country’s only ballet-specialist orchestra, accompanying each performance; the scale and quality of our productions, ranging from beloved full-length classics to oneact gems.
Among the year’s highlights:
l We present Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, which was included in the Company’s first performance in 1990, as part of a joyful triple bill this autumn.
l The Nutcracker, created as a gift to the City of Birmingham, turns 25 as it returns for Christmas. l Our year-long 2016 Dancing hakespeare celebration of Shakespeare begins with Frederick Ashton’s witty take on A Midsummer Night's Dream.
S
l New (and new to us) ballets by Jessica Lang and José Limón arrive in summer.
Come and celebrate ballet and Birmingham with us this season!
David Bintley, Director
New-look subscription packages Our subscription packages have been remodelled this year to oer a choice of xed-date packages of six or three productions, or a design-your-own package of four or more productions. Book your subscription package now and you can include additional individual tickets for any of the shows before they go on public sale. For full package details, see the back of this brochure.
F ull Season package
Mixed Bills package
Three story ballets and three sparkling mixed bills, for one affordable price.
The three mixed-bill programmes of the season: the Variations triple bill, Ashton double bill and Shakespeare triple bill.
Secure your seat, keep it for the whole year, and have first dibs to renew it next season.
Story Ballet package
Design-Your-Own package
Includes Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet and The Taming of the Shrew.
Select four or more productions and save 10%. See only those ballets you want and get tickets before they are available to the general public.
The Christmas ballet is no longer included in subscription packages, but can be added to your order at full price and purchased on priority before the general public.
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, has bewitched viewers for generations.
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.
Swan Lake
‘One of the world’s finest productions of the ballet’
The Observer
Cover and above: Céline Gittens as Odette and Tyrone Singleton as Siegfried; photos: Roy Smiljanic, Andrew Ross, Bill Cooper
28 September – 6 October 2015 Music Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Choreography Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov and Peter Wright Production Peter Wright and Galina Samsova Designs Philip Prowse Lighting Peter Teigen With Royal Ballet Sinfonia, conducted by Paul Murphy and Philip Ellis
Variations Triple bill
8 – 10 October 2015 Join us as we celebrate 25 years in Birmingham with three contrasting ballets that showcase the company’s extraordinary range: classical, abstract and characterfully English. Joyful and grand, Theme and Variations (which launched the Company’s 1990 season) is George Balanchine’s love letter to classical Russian ballet, set to the final movement of Tchaikovsky’s Orchestral Suite No.3. Abstract ballet Kin. by former Company dancer Alexander Whitley (twice nominated for Critics’ Circle National Dance THEME AND VARIATIONS Music Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Choreography George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust Designs Peter Farmer Lighting Peter Teigen
awards) is an athletic piece danced to a pulsing, hypnotic score by Phil Kline. And Enigma Variations, an elegant and eccentric character ballet, is Frederick Ashton’s poignant depiction of Edward Elgar and his friends. Theme and Variations: Momoko Hirata and César Morales; photo: Bill Cooper
KIN. Music Phil Kline Choreography Alexander Whitley Designs Jean-Marc Puissant Lighting Peter Teigen
ENIGMA VARIATIONS Music Edward Elgar Choreography Frederick Ashton Designs Julia Trevelyan Oman Lighting Mark Jonathan With Royal Ballet Sinfonia, conducted by Paul Murphy and Philip Ellis
Shakespeare
Dancing
In this programme of one-act ballets, we focus on works by one of England’s most inuential choreographers, Sir Frederick Ashton, and his deft hand at characterisation and narrative through dance.
Ashton
Double bill
In The Dream, love gets out of hand for mortals and fairies alike in an elegant and witty distillation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Created in 1964 to mark Shakespeare’s birthday, The Dream kicks off Birmingham Royal Ballet’s year-long commemoration of 400 years since his death. Alongside it, we offer A Month in the Country, inspired by Turgenev’s play. The story of a bored housewife, a charming young man, and a dreaming girl makes a poignant romantic tale. The Dream: Matthew Lawrence as Oberon; photo: Bill Cooper
17 – 20 February 2016 THE DREAM Music Felix Mendelssohn Arranged by John Lanchbery Choreography Frederick Ashton Designs Peter Farmer Lighting John B. Read
A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY Music Frederick Chopin Arranged by John Lanchbery Choreography Frederick Ashton Designs Julia Trevelyan Oman With Royal Ballet Sinfonia, conducted by Paul Murphy
Shakespeare
Dancing
Romeo
and
Love at first dance, forbidden passions, dangerous secrets and starcrossed fate combine in an exhilarating classic ballet. Kenneth MacMillan’s bestloved adaptation of this famous play continues Birmingham Royal Ballet’s 2016 Shakespeare celebration. Set to Prokofiev’s soaring score, Romeo and Juliet tells the familiar tale of two young lovers at the mercy of powerful families and their own hearts. From the balcony scene’s ecstatic pas de deux to the lovers’ heart-breaking ends, Romeo and Juliet has been an audience favourite since its first performance. Molly Smolen as Juliet and Tiit Helimets as Romeo; photo: Bill Cooper
24 – 27 February 2016 Music Sergei Prokofiev Choreography Kenneth MacMillan Designs Paul Andrews Lighting John B. Read With Royal Ballet Sinfonia, conducted by Koen Kessels and Paul Murphy
uliet
The
Taming the
Choreographer John Cranko adapts Shakespeare’s tale of mismatched marriage to create his undoubted masterpiece. In this sparkling comedy, independent and tempestuous Kate gives her suitor Petruchio considerably more than he bargained for.
Cranko breathes new life into this witty battle of the sexes, set to a baroque score by Domenico Scarlatti, and achieves a memorable and truly funny mix of comedy, romance and bravura dancing. Greta Hodgkinson as Kate and Jason Reilly as Petruchio; photo: Cylla von Tiedemann, courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada
16 – 18 June 2016 Music Domenico Scarlatti Arranged by Kurt-Heinz Stolze Choreography John Cranko Designs Susan Benson With Royal Ballet Sinfonia, conducted by Wolfgang Heinz and Philip Ellis
Shakespeare
Dancing
of
Shrew
Shakespeare
Dancing
Shakespeare Triple bill
22 – 25 June 2016
Our celebration of Shakespeare continues with a combination of tragedy, comedy and poetry, all translated into dance. José Limón’s The Moor’s Pavane distils the passion and drama of Shakespeare’s Othello into a thrilling one-act tragedy, tightly focussed on four characters and their jealousy. David Bintley’s The Shakespeare Suite sets a collection of the Bard’s bestloved characters to a swinging Duke Ellington score and offers a quicksilver visit THE SONNETS Choreography Jessica Lang With Royal Ballet Sinfonia and members of Colin Towns’ Mask Orchestra, conducted by Paul Murphy and Philip Ellis
to Shakespearean couples of every sort, star-crossed, bewitched, squabbling, and romantic, plus a powerhouse solo. Finally Jessica Lang captures the poetry of The Sonnets in this world premiere work. The Moor’s Pavane: Veronika Part and Cory Stearns; photo: Gene Schiavone, courtesy of American Ballet Theatre
THE MOOR’S PAVANE Music Henry Purcell Arranged by Simon Sadoff Choreography José Limón Costumes Pauline Lawrence
THE SHAKESPEARE SUITE Music Duke Ellington Choreography David Bintley Sets and Lighting Steve Scott Costumes Jasper Conran
ADD TO YOUR ORDER WHEN YOU BUY A SUBSCRIPTION
Nutcracker Sir Peter Wright’s production of
The
There’s no better sign that Christmas approaches than the arrival of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s evergreen production of The Nutcracker. Brimming with festive energy, this ballet charms young and old alike. When a young girl sneaks downstairs on Christmas eve to play with her new nutcracker doll, she is swept up in a fantastic journey, filled with toy soldiers, sugar plum fairies, and of course her handsome prince. This world-famous production by Sir Peter Wright, with exquisite designs by John Macfarlane, is acclaimed as one of the best in the world. Karla Doorbar as Clara; photo: Bill Cooper
27 November – 13 December 2015 Music Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Choreography Peter Wright, Lev Ivanov, Vincent Redmon Production Peter Wright Designs John F. Macfarlane Lighting David A. Finn With Royal Ballet Sinfonia, conducted by Koen Kessels, Paul Murphy and Philip Ellis
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Monday
SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 28 29 30 Swan Lake
Swan Lake
7.30
7.30
5 Swan Lake
Swan Lake 2.00
7.30
Swan Lake
7.30
7.30
8 Variations
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 23 24 25
30 Nutcracker
Nutcracker
7.30
7
7.30
8 Nutcracker 7.30
FEBRUARY 15
16
Nutcracker 7.30
22
2.00
17
7.30
23
2.00
Romeo 7.30
2.00
2.30
7.30
28
29
2.30
1.00
7.30
7.30
4 Nutcracker 7.30
5
Nutcracker
18
19 Ashton
7.30
7.30
Nutcracker
2.30
1.00
7.30
12
7.30
7.30
13
Nutcracker
Nutcracker
2.30
1.00
7.30
20
21
Ashton 2.30
26 Romeo
6
Nutcracker
11 7.30
Romeo
11
2.00
25
24
10
Nutcracker
7.30
Ashton
7.30
Nutcracker
10 Nutcracker
2.30
Nutcracker
7.30
9
Ashton
February
2.00
Swan Lake
27
3 Nutcracker
4
Variations
7.30
26
2
1
2.00
Variations
Sunday
3
9
7.30
2.00
2.00
2
Swan Lake
7
Swan Lake
Saturday
1
7.30
6
Friday
7.30
27
28
Romeo 2.30
7.30
JUNE 13
14
15
16 Taming
Taming
7.30
20
21
2.00
7.30
18
2.30
7.30
23
24
25
Shakespeare
Shakespeare
Shakespeare
Shakespeare
2.00
Silver ticket price band
7.30
7.30
Gold ticket price band
19
Taming
22
7.30 Bronze ticket price band
17
2.30
26
7.30
See booking form for prices
Subscription Packages These three fixed-date options offer you the best seats at great prices…
Full Season ‘keep-your-seat’ package These fixed-date packages are at a great price and secure you the same seat for each performance. What’s more, with this package only, you can sit in these same seats year after year – they are yours for as long as you choose this package. Select your seating area (A+/A–F) and your package to find out what you pay: A+/A
B
C
D
E/F
Openings and Weekday Matinee packages
£140
£115
£95
£80
£70
Friday and Saturday packages
£210
£160
£135
£110
£95
Packages
Swan
Variations
Ashton
Romeo
Taming
Shakespeare
Openings
28 Sept
8 Oct
17 Feb
24 Feb
16 June
22 June
Weekday matinees
30 Sept
8 Oct*
18 Feb
25 Feb
17 June
23 June
Friday evenings
2 Oct
9 Oct
19 Feb
26 Feb
17 June
24 June
Saturday matinees
3 Oct
10 Oct
20 Feb
27 Feb
18 June
25 June
Saturday evenings
3 Oct
10 Oct
20 Feb
27 Feb
18 June
25 June
* Thursday evening included for this production, as no weekday matinee scheduled
Story Ballet package (Swan Lake / Romeo and Juliet / e Taming of the Shrew) Choose one of the fixed-date packages below for savings on single ticket prices. Select your seating area (A+/A–F) to find out what you pay:
Packages
Swan
Romeo
Taming
Friday evenings
2 Oct
26 Feb
17 June
A+/A
B
C
D
E/F
Saturday matinees
3 Oct
27 Feb
18 June
£125
£105
£90
£75
£60
Saturday evenings
3 Oct
27 Feb
18 June
Mixed Bills package (Variations / Ashton / Shakespeare) Choose one of the fixed-date packages below for savings on single ticket prices. Select your seating area (A+/A–D) to find out what you pay: A+/A
B
C
D
£50
£35
£25
£20
Packages
Variations
Ashton
Shakespeare
Openings
8 Oct
17 Feb
22 June
Weekday matinees
8 Oct*
18 Feb
23 June
Friday evenings
9 Oct
19 Feb
24 June
Saturday matinees
10 Oct
20 Feb
25 June
Saturday evenings
10 Oct
20 Feb
25 June
* Thursday evening included for this production as no weekday matinee scheduled
… or, if you need more flexibility, see our Design-Your-Own package option overleaf
Design-Your-Own package (four, ve or six productions) Pick a ticket for four or more of the productions in our season and save (please note, design-yourown packages cannot include The Nutcracker). See only those ballets you want to see, secure your tickets before they are available to the general public, and save 10%. All seats must be in the same seating area (A+/A–F).
Additional individual tickets You may purchase additional individual tickets at the same time as any subscription package; you may apply the concessions below as appropriate, and you don’t have to pay the 5% transaction charge that normally applies to all but subscription ticket sales.
Concessions Only one concession applicable per ticket Family: up to two U16s pay half price each when attending with a full-paying adult; Sunday – Friday, all price bands except A+ Groups of ten or more: 10% off; Sunday – Friday, all price bands except A+ Groups of 20 or more: 15% off, plus one free organiser ticket; Sunday – Friday, all price bands except A+ Disabled patrons: £5 off or 2-for-1 with essential carer. All performances all price bands. Standby: claimants, full-time students, passport to leisure, best-available seats at lowest published price, limit two tickets per person from 24 hours in advance. 60+: 10% off, Sunday – Friday, price bands A-C (excluding A+). School & Youth Groups: £11.50 each; Sunday – Friday, one teacher attends for free with every ten tickets, price bands C–E. Ticket price includes transaction charge. BRB Friends: 10% off; Sunday – Friday, all price bands, one ticket per member, per production.
Seating plans F E
Circle
Stalls
D C B
C D
D B A
A A+ A+
Stage
How to book your subscription package Fill in your booking form then contact Birmingham Hippodrome Ticket Sales to make your purchase in person, by post, or by telephone.
0844 338 5000* (Mon–Sat, 10am–8pm, 6pm on non-performance days. Calls from 5p per minute) birminghamhippodrome.com Ticket Sales, Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB Postage £1.50
We understand that life is uncertain. Subscribers may exchange their tickets to any single performance to another performance of the same programme (once only, please; fees may apply).
BRB Friends and Donors: priority booking for individual tickets from 26 May. Public booking for individual tickets: opens 1 June. You may book by telephone, online or in person. Calls from 5p per minute, 5% transaction charge applies (except purchases that include a season ticket, or cash payments in person); Postage from £1.
All information in this brochure correct at the time of going to press (May 2015), but may be subject to change. Terms and Conditions: Prices and discounts are subject to change. All offers and concessions are subject to availability within a limited allocation, can be withdrawn at any time, are non-retrospective and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount. Birmingham Royal Ballet reserves the right to alter ticket prices and withdraw offers at any time. Concessionary rates do not apply to season tickets (with the exception of essential carer discounts). Valid ID must be presented where applicable. Additional discounts may be offered from time to time. Tickets for Birmingham Royal Ballet’s performances at Birmingham Hippodrome are sold by Birmingham Hippodrome. Birmingham Hippodrome is a company limited by guarantee. Registered Office: Hurst Street, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB; Registered in England and Wales No.1446309; Charity Registered No.510842; VAT Registration No.864449686. Birmingham Royal Ballet is a company limited by guarantee. Registered Office: Thorp Street, Southside, Birmingham B5 4AU; Registered in England and Wales No.3320538; Charity Registered No.1061012; VAT Registration No.687933373.
THE DIRECT DEBIT GUARANTEE This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits. If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit Birmingham Hippodrome will notify you seven working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request Birmingham Hippodrome to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request. If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by Birmingham Hippodrome or your bank or building society you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society. If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when Birmingham Hippodrome asks you to. You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.
All the information in this brochure can be found in clear text at www.brb.org.uk/subs
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