Details

A joyous and uplifting ballet by the genius behind our stunning production of Romeo and Juliet. Kenneth MacMillan's Concerto is one of his most popular works, in which sparkling displays of energy and virtuosity frame a warm and tender pas de deux of great beauty. How will we recognise true love? Especially if it arrives dressed as a buffoon? When a high society lady falls for a clown, everything she has ever known about love must be re-imagined. The Lady and the Fool is a remarkably unsentimental but deeply passionate dance created by John Cranko, MacMillan's contemporary and friend, and another influential 20th-century choreographer. In the Upper Room features dancers in trainers and striking red pointe shoes who dominate the stage with energy, flair and finesse in this exhilarating, athletic ballet by American dance phenomenon Twyla Tharp. Philip Glass's score builds to an emotional peak with dancing that the press described as 'quick-witted and even quicker footed'. Birmingham Royal Ballet - Points of View - Concerto/The Lady and the Fool/In the Upper Room website.

Creatives/Company

Company: Birmingham Royal Ballet
Music(s): Shostakovich (Concerto), Philip Glass (In the Upper Room), Verdi (The Lady and the Fool), Charles Mackerras (music arrangement - The Lady and the Fool)
Choreographer(s): Kenneth MacMillan (Concerto), Twyla Tharp (In the Upper Room), John Cranko (The Lady and the Fool)
Costume(s): Jurgen Rose (Concerto), Norma Kamali (In the Upper Room)
Other(s): Deborah MacMillan (Backcloth - Concerto), John Cranko (scenario - The Lady and the Fool)
Lighting(s): John B.Read (Concerto), Jennifer Tipton (In the Upper Room), Tim Mitchell (The Lady and the Fool)
Design: Kate Ford (The Lady and the Fool)