This autumn, step onto a magic carpet and soar into the fantastical world of David Bintley’s Aladdin, with live music from BAFTA award-winning Carl Davis performed by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia and vibrant designs from Dick Bird. Originally created for the National Ballet of Japan in 2008, Aladdin was re-imagined in Birmingham in 2012 as a large and spectacular production, complete with a host of technical tricks, purposefully designed for touring the UK. Director David Bintley looks back to the original tale, taking Persian and Far-Eastern influences, to create a fast-paced and modern balletic version of this well-known legend.
The classic story of Aladdin and his adventures with a magic lamp is brought to life with lavish sets and costumes, stunning special effects and beautiful choreography. Magic abounds when the Djinn of the Lamp appears, from a cave of dancing jewels to a larger than life Chinese lion. As Aladdin finds out, you can even become a prince overnight!
However, a production of this size and scale doesn’t come to life by simply rubbing a magic lamp. From its base in the heart of the city, Birmingham Royal Ballet turns a fleet of articulated lorries into a concealed cave of wonders, containing scenery, props, lights, rails of costumes and cases of wigs, ready to deliver a whole new world of show-stopping ballet to Salford.
Aladdin on the road – facts and figures:
8 articulated lorry trailers in total
3 scenery trucks
3 lighting trucks
1 flooring truck – a sprung floor is necessary for ballet
1 costume truck
8 baskets of shoes – some ballerinas will use ten pairs of shoes or more throughout the tour
2 washing machines and dryers
17 Birmingham Royal Ballet technical staff
20 venue staff
64 Sinfonia musicians
55 dancers
35,195 seats
23 performances
4 venues
West End theatre meets classical ballet, as Birmingham Royal Ballet’s talented technical team bring to life the transformations, magic and effects of Aladdin. From the iconic flying carpet ride, to the Djinn of the Lamp’s stunning appearances in a flash of pyrotechnical wizardry, and the astonishing cave complete with an atmospheric bone staircase, this family-friendly ballet brims with pure theatrical magic.
David Bintley, Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, commented: ‘It has everything you could want from Aladdin. The ballet is exuberant and exciting, a real “dance show”. The dancers never stop.’
Unbelievable riches, love at first sight, stunning special effects, and of course a magic lamp, who could resist this spellbinding entertainment?
Listings Information
Birmingham Royal Ballet's Aladdin
Dates: Wed 20 – Sat 23 September
Times: 7.30pm. Thu & Sat 2pm.
Tickets: £22.50 - £47.50. Conc £2 off.
Website
Additional activity
Free Pre-performance talk: Friday 22 September, 6.30pm
Company class on stage (Tickets £10): Saturday 23 September, 10.30am
Audience open day: Saturday 23 September, 12pm
First Steps: a child’s first ballet (Tickets: £12.50): Friday 22 September, 1pm
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