Russians' head for Birmingham: make way for tutus and tights!
THE KIROV BALLET
BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME
One of the world’s oldest and most prestigious Russian ballet companies of more than 200 dancers, musicians, teachers and backstage crew are heading for Birmingham later this month.
THE KIROV BALLET & ORCHESTRA, one of the world’s great dance companies will vacate their famous Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg for a two-week UK spring tour appearing exclusively in Birmingham and Manchester.
Part of the first “International Dance Festival Birmingham”, THE KIROV BALLET & ORCHESTRA will perform at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 20 May – Saturday 24 May 2008.
Preparations for the Birmingham date began almost a year ago including finding rehearsal space, hotel accommodation, organising catering, coach transfers and booking flights into the UK.
As well as bringing in the 225 people that make up the company, three large containers will bring in lighting rigs, over 400 pairs of tights, scenery, 500 pairs of pointe shoes, 250 tutus, 500 elaborate and individually-crafted costumes, nearly 300 wigs as well as equipment and instruments for a full symphony orchestra.
The famed 200-year old company will perform two full-length ballets: Balanchine’s shimmering Jewels, the classical masterpiece Don Quixote, plus a Gala Evening of balletic fireworks. This will be a rare opportunity for audiences to experience the thrill, power and beauty of one of the world’s most sought-after ballet companies live for the first time in Birmingham.
THE KIROV BALLET appear at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 20 – Saturday 24 May. Tickets are priced from £27.50-£80. Telephone 0844 338 5000 (5p per min) or online at www.birminghamhippodrome.com. Booking fees apply: 6% counter and phones, 3% online.
The Birmingham visit was made possible with generous corporate sponsorship from three long-term supporters of the theatre, Ernst & Young, HSBC and Wragge & Co.
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