Black Sabbath The Ballet UK Tour by Birmingham Royal Ballet

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Sat 23 Sep 2023 - Sat 30 Sep 2023

The first heavy metal ballet of its kind using music by Ozzy Osbourne's band Black Sabbath is to tour the UK in the Autumn.

Birmingham Royal Ballet(BRB) will perform the world premiere of Black Sabbath - The Ballet at Birmingham Hippodrome from September 23, where it stays until September 30.

The full-length dance production over three acts then tours to Theatre Royal Plymouth and Sadler's Wells London , later in the Autumn with dates to be confirmed on their websites.

Eight Black Sabbath tracks reorchestrated by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia with plenty of added guitar and drums will feature in the new show including 'Paranoid,' 'Ironman', 'War Pig', 'Black Sabbath', Solitude', 'Orchid', 'Laguna Sunrise' and 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath'. Added to that is new music inspired by the band.



World-famous Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta, who is now Director of BRB, had been thinking about how to create a ballet from the Brummie band's rock anthems since arriving in Birmingham in 2020.

Black Sabbath lead guitarist Tony Iommi, pictured above with Acosta, said: " Black Sabbath have always been innovators and never been predictable, and it doesn’t come any more unpredictable than this!

"I’d never imagined pairing Black Sabbath with ballet but it’s got a nice ring to it! I’ve met with Carlos several times and his enthusiasm is infectious. I performed alongside some of the dancers at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony and they had an incredible energy, so I’m happy to go along for the ride with them and see you on the other side."

Acosta has refreshed BRB since his arrival amid productions such as Swan Lake, shown below. Acosta said: ‘Black Sabbath is probably Birmingham’s biggest export, the most famous (and infamous) cultural entity to ever emerge from the city.



"So, I was naturally drawn to the idea of a collaboration between what most people might think are the most unlikely of partners. The band’s enthusiasm for the project is a huge endorsement.

"They are putting their trust in us to deliver something completely new and original, and that’s quite a responsibility but one that we are beyond excited to take on. I have hand-picked the creative team and will work closely with them to make a spectacular show."

Acosta has brought in creative help from lead Swedish choreographer Pontus Lidburg, Cuban designer Alexandra Arrechea, Tony Award-winning composer Christopher Austin with additional choreographers Raúl Reinoso and Cassi Abranches and composers Marko Nyberg and Sun Keting. Richard Thomas is dramaturg for the project and lighting design is by Kieron Johnson.

Tickets cost from £18 from the Birmingham Hippodrome website here

Black Sabbath - The Ballet at Birmingham Hippodrome
Sat 23 Sep 7.30pm
Wed 27 Sep 7.30pm
Thu 28 Sep 2pm & 7.30pm
Fri 29 Sep 7.30pm
Sat 30 Sep 2.30pm & 7.30pm

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