Press Release: BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET’S 2013 SUMMER SEASON at BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME

[Jan McNulty]

BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET’S 2013 SUMMER SEASON at BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME

 

Sir Peter Wright’s production of Coppelia

David Bintley and Galina Sasova’s Giselle

 

Venue and booking information:

Birmingham Hippodrome: Tickets: 0844 338 5000       www.birminghamhippodrome.com

 

Birmingham Royal Ballet is delighted to return to the Birmingham Hippodrome stage from 4 – 22 June.  The Company will perform its summer season in its home city with two productions; Sir Peter Wright’s enchanting Coppelia, and David Bintley and Galina Samasova’s stunning production of Giselle.

 

COPPELIA                                                    4 – 8 JUNE

 

Coppelia, choreographed by Sir Peter Wright, Director Laureate of Birmingham Royal Ballet and creator of the Company’s huge Christmas hit The Nutcracker, enjoyed its first performance by Birmingham Royal Ballet in 1995 at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Now eighteen years later it is once again being performed at the Company’s home theatre.  

 

What’s at the heart of a woman? Eccentric toymaker Dr Coppélius wants to know, and he’s planning to bring his mechanical doll, Coppélia, to life – he just needs the right spell.

When Dr Coppélius leaves Coppélia on his workshop balcony she’s soon causing quite a stir in the village. Particularly in the heart of red blooded young lover Franz, and the jealous mind of his real-life fiancée, Swanilda – who’s mistaken the mannequin for a crying, talking, sleeping, walking rival. With a wild mix of abracadabra, and some mischievous maidens, comic chaos is riotously unleashed when humans and automatons collide in Dr Coppélius’s spooky toyshop.

Peter Wright’s enchanting production of this joyous and witty ballet is an ever-popular celebration of love, with a sparkling score and breathtaking choreography. Coppélia is guaranteed to lift the hearts of all the family.

 

GISELLE                                                                   19 - 22 JUNE

 

One of the world’s most celebrated classic ballets rounds off the Company’s 2012/13 season at Birmingham Hippodrome.

 

In a village deep in the mountains, two young people, Giselle and Loys, are deeply in love. But Loys has not been truthful with his beloved. He is actually Count Albrecht, son of the local lord, and is already betrothed to Bathilde, a lady, and his social equal.

When jealous Hilarion, a rival for Giselle’s hand, proves who Loys really is, and Bathilde arrives to claim her fiancé, the heartbreak is too much to bear. Driven mad by despair, Giselle takes her own life.

After her funeral, a sorrowful Albrecht visits her grave, but it is night and he is in terrible danger. The bitter ghosts of jilted brides rise and condemn him to dance himself to death. Only Giselle’s love, powerful enough to reach from beyond the grave, can save him; she must keep him safe until dawn breaks and he can escape, but dawn is many hours away...

With music by one of the 19th-century’s great ballet composers, Adolphe Adam, Giselle stands alongside Coppélia and Swan Lake as one of the most celebrated classical ballets. David Bintley and Galina Samsova’s stunning production, clad in gorgeous designs by Hayden Griffin, stays true to the classical spirit and steps of the original.

 

 

PERFORMANCE DIARY FOR THE 2013 BIRMINGHAM SUMMER SEASON

 

COPPELIA

Birmingham Hippodrome: Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 June

Tuesday 4 June – 7.30pm

Wednesday 5 June – 2pm and 7.30pm

Thursday 6 June – 7.30pm

Friday 7 June – 6.30pm

Saturday 8 June – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

 

GISELLE

Birmingham Hippodrome: Wednesday 19 – Saturday 22 June

Wednesday 19 June – 7.30pm

Thursday 20 June – 2pm and 7.30pm

Friday 21 June – 6.30pm

Saturday 22 June – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

 

Venue and booking information:

Birmingham Hippodrome: Tickets: 0844 338 5000    www.birminghamhippodrome.com