Black Sabbath The Ballet is coming to three UK cities this autumn
A new production from the Birmingham Royal Ballet
Last updated 8th Feb 2023
The Birmingham Royal Ballet has joined forces with local heavy metal torchbearers Black Sabbath for a new touring ballet.
Black Sabbath – The Ballet is the brainchild of Birmingham Royal Ballet director Carlos Acosta and it will launch at the Birmingham Hippodrome from Saturday 23rd to Saturday 30th September 2023.
Further shows at Plymouth Theatre Royal and Sadler’s Wells London this autumn will be announced at a later date.
The full-length, three-act show will feature eight seminal early Black Sabbath tracks from the band’s first five studio albums – ‘Paranoid’ (1970), ‘Iron Man’ (1970), ‘War Pigs’ (1970), ‘Black Sabbath’ (1970), ‘Solitude’ (1971), ‘Orchid’ (1971) ‘Laguna Sunrise’ (1972) and ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ (1973).
Each seminal track will be re-orchestrated for the Royal Ballet Sinfonia with new songs inspired by Black Sabbath also performed live by the orchestra. There will also be on-stage guitar and drums during the performance for that added heavy metal hit.
To celebrate the launch of Black Sabbath – The Ballet, Tony Iommi has posed for photos with Carlos Acosta on Black Sabbath Bridge in Birmingham.
Black Sabbath played their first ever gig in The Crown pub just a stone’s throw from Birmingham Royal Ballet’s base on Thorp Street. The pub was recently saved from demolition and is deemed a heritage site by fans.
Black Sabbath – The Ballet launched:
Carlos Acosta and Tony Iommi
Carlos Acosta and Tony Iommi
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Sofia Liñares with Carlos Acosta
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Sofia Liñares
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Sofia Liñares with Carlos Acosta
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Sofia Liñares
Carlos Acosta and Tony Iommi
Tony Iommi comments: “I’m looking forward to seeing how this all develops! Black Sabbath have always been innovators and never been predictable, and it doesn’t come any more unpredictable than this!
“I’d never imagined pairing Black Sabbath with ballet but it’s got a nice ring to it! I’ve met with Carlos several times and his enthusiasm is infectious. I performed alongside some of the dancers at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony and they had an incredible energy, so I’m happy to go along for the ride with them and see you on the other side!”
Carlos Acosta adds: “Black Sabbath is probably Birmingham’s biggest export, the most famous (and infamous) cultural entity to ever emerge from the city - so I was naturally drawn to the idea of a collaboration between what most people might think are the most unlikely of partners. The band’s enthusiasm for the project is a huge endorsement.
“They are putting their trust in us to deliver something completely new and original, and that’s quite a responsibility but one that we are beyond excited to take on. Everyone in the BRB company is thrilled to be involved and we cannot wait to share the vision for the show in more detail in the coming months. I have hand-picked the creative team and will work closely with them to make a spectacular show.”
Rehearsals for Black Sabbath – The Ballet begin in April. Creatives involved in the project include lead Swedish choreographer Pontus Lidburg, Cuban designer Alexandra Arrechea, Tony Award winning composer Christopher Austin with additional choreographers Raúl Reinoso and Cassi Abranches and composers Marko Nyberg and Sun Keting. Richard Thomas is dramaturg for the project and lighting design is by Kieron Johnson.
Tickets for Black Sabbath - The Ballet at Birmingham Hippodrome are on sale now.