The new partnership brings together Birmingham Royal Ballet and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

To celebrate the re-opening of Waterhall at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham Royal Ballet, the UK’s largest touring ballet company, will be filling Waterhall with dancers, musicians and the Company’s backstage crew for a week from 26 June – July 2, 2024. .

The residency offers a special ‘up close’ insight into the life of an internationally renowned ballet company and includes a program of free activities and paid performances, some including the chance to see the acclaimed Victorian Radicals exhibition.

The program includes free opportunities for visitors to watch BRB dancers take classes and a very special family open day with dance performances, demonstrations and an exhibition of costumes, wigs and shoes.

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There will be invited workshops for schools, community groups with Freefall (BRB’s company for dancers with learning disabilities) and a backstage careers day for young people interested in learning about jobs in the performing arts.

Paid events include exclusive workshops ‘How to Make a Ballet Tutu’ and ‘A Night at the Museum’, offering the world premiere of a new ballet and access to the stunning Pre-Raphaelite exhibition. In addition, for all those attending Victorian Radicals at lunchtime on Wednesday 26 June, Royal Ballet Sinfonia members Robert Gibbs (violin), Joana Valentinaviciute (violin) and Errika Collins (viola) will perform a chamber music concert.

Caroline Miller OBE. BRB Executive Director said: “We are delighted to partner with Birmingham Museum’s Trust and celebrate the re-opening of this globally important museum and art gallery. Together, both organizations want to shout out to the world that Birmingham is a thriving cultural city.

“Our goal is to bring joy to audiences this summer with free and affordable entertainment while allowing audiences to see what our international dancers, fantastic orchestra players, production teams and community are doing behind the scenes in our wonderful hometown. “

For all those who visit the Victorian Radicals exhibition in the Gas Hall during their residency and take up the theme of romance and legend, there will be an exhibition of BRB costumes. In addition to BRB’s partnership with leading motion capture experts, Holosphere will be presented with an interactive installation in the main hall where visitors can experience their own movement and see how it is translated into instant digital art. The residency will also include live music from members of the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

Toby Watley, Director of Collections, Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “We are delighted to be working with Birmingham Royal Ballet, helping to bring their world-class artists and creations to a wider audience. Working closely with cultural partners in the city is extremely important for Birmingham Museums in the future.

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“Reopening the Waterhall is a key step in the gradual reopening of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and gives us the opportunity to present a wide variety of arts to the people of Birmingham. We can’t wait to welcome people back into space.”

Visitors can see “up close and personal” an exhibit featuring costumes from the BRB repertoire, incl Cinderella and La Fille mal gardée and learn more about the company, including the creation of the recently famous Black Sabbath – Balletand a chance for ballet beginners to attend a lesson for the first time.

In addition, Freefall Dance, BRB’s company of talented dancers with learning disabilities, will share some of their acclaimed work with guest groups. And, along with other arts organizations across the city, BRB will be part of a day of planning designed to introduce high school students to the wide range of careers available in the performing arts.

‘A Night at the Museum with BRB’ offers the chance to experience BRB’s popular events in ‘unexpected places’ and visit the acclaimed Victorian Radicals exhibition after hours. The evening includes the world premiere of a new work by BRB artist Olivia Chang-Clarke, commissioned for this partnership by London Ballet Circle, and joined by the Conservatoire Ensemble.

For full program details and to book (all events must be booked in advance), visit www.brb.org.uk/bmag

Birmingham Royal Ballet returns to perform at Birmingham Hippodrome with La Fille mal gardée (September 25-26) and the world premiere of Month (October 3-5) Carlos Acosta’s final installment in his Birmingham Trilogy.