News roundup
Giselle illustration project announced15 May 2013
Documentary screening in Nottingham10 May 2013
Video: Pineapple Poll07 May 2013
Company wins wins BBC Performing Arts Fund Music Fellowship award26 April 2013
Carol-Anne Millar retires from the stage26 April 2013
Five previews of the 2013-14 season18 April 2013
2013-14 Birmingham diary dates03 April 2013
10 more Company tweeters22 February 2013
2013 Choreographics showing10 January 2013
Matthew Lawrence announces his return to Australia19 October 2012
10 Company tweeters19 October 2012
A romantic night out08 October 2012
Swan Lake art collection unveiled02 October 2012
Evening of Music and Dance 201326 September 2012
Birmingham Royal Ballet at ArtsFest 201206 September 2012
Swan Lake Casting 201205 September 2012
Company promotions 201210 July 2012
Company Announcements 201210 July 2012
Five 'transporting' ballet moments13 June 2012
Adapting Far from the Madding Crowd13 June 2012
Bintley ballet posters07 June 2012
Matthew Hindson on his score for new ballet, Faster06 June 2012
Matthew Lawrence choreographing routine for British five-time champion gymnast ahead of 2012 Olympics29 May 2012
Five splashes of sunshine22 May 2012
Work continues on new IDFB ballets11 April 2012
Cinderella wins Manchester Theatre Award14 March 2012
Pointe Blank at Six Eight Kafé05 March 2012
Birmingham 2012-13 Season announced18 February 2012
Five love triangles14 February 2012
Company dancer Kit Holder to create new work09 February 2012
Alexander Campbell to guest in Hobson's Choice09 February 2012
Five pieces of choreography based on bird movements27 January 2012
David Bintley wins classical choreography award for Cinderella26 January 2012
The Lowry’s Youth Dance Ambassadors12 January 2012
Five on-stage horses02 December 2011
Barry Wordsworth becomes Music Director Laureate28 November 2011
1991-2011 Nutcracker posters21 November 2011
Five onstage Movember moments18 November 2011
True Light, a new work by Alexander Campkin09 November 2011
Birmingham Royal Ballet's first audio described performance16 October 2011
Alexander Grant, a tribute12 October 2011
Elmhurst Announces Appointment of New Artistic Director19 September 2011
Royal Ballet Sinfonia collaboration with Birmingham Cathedral19 September 2011
Artsfest 2011 performance05 September 2011
Beauty and the Beast to tour to Salford in 201225 August 2011
Five mighty mice24 August 2011
Company promotions 201111 July 2011
Leavers and Joiners 201111 July 2011
Marion Tait appointed Assistant Director11 July 2011
Elmhurst starts search for new Artistic Director05 July 2011
Pointe Blank collection unveiled!16 June 2011
Birmingham Royal Ballet embarks on new collaborative design project10 June 2011
Five pieces of art inspired by the Company29 May 2011
An unusual guide to Coppélia29 May 2011
Company to proceed with Japanese tour21 April 2011
Royal Ballet Sinfonia works with Pet Shop Boys22 March 2011
Cinderella interactive timeline18 March 2011
Cinderella designs on display in Cardiff17 March 2011
More ballet for the boys16 March 2011
Fancy Feet: five ballets danced in unusual footwear10 February 2011
Company costumes on display in Birmingham store09 February 2011
Repertory confirmed for 2011 split tour07 February 2011
Cinderella to be broadcast on Christmas day02 December 2010
The darker side of Marion Tait03 November 2010
Evening of Music and Dance 201103 November 2010
Birmingham Royal Ballet launches phone/computer widget19 October 2010
Nao Sakuma interview12 October 2010
In the Upper Room gallery12 October 2010
David Bintley and Birmingham Royal Ballet to receive Broad Street Stars at Artsfest 201008 September 2010
Jenna Roberts08 September 2010
Pointes of View02 September 2010
The Low Down on the Upper Room02 September 2010
Elmhurst on television24 August 2010
Romeo and Juliet gallery10 August 2010
Concerto from the wings gallery15 July 2010
Christopher Barron on the end of the season13 July 2010
Company announcements 201012 July 2010
Cinderella tour dates announced12 July 2010
Romeo and Juliet model box gallery18 June 2010
Company expert working with Cirque du Soleil17 June 2010
Jamie Bond interview28 May 2010
Kelly can... ballet05 May 2010
New ideas for Cinderella14 April 2010
Royal visitors join Birmingham Royal Ballet for its birthday celebrations18 March 2010
Extra Swan Lake date added in Birmingham18 March 2010
Birmingham Royal Ballet backs Birmingham's bid to become City of Culture 201326 February 2010
Birmingham Royal Ballet welcomes back Iain Mackay as Principal25 February 2010
Elmhurst success at Prix de Lausanne02 February 2010
E=mc² nominated for South Bank Show Award in Dance19 January 2010
20 year celebrations15 January 2010
2010-2011 season diary dates15 January 2010
North/South tour dates and notes 201014 January 2010
2010 Evening of Music and Dance to feature first UK look at Aladdin14 January 2010
2010 SW tour introductory notes13 January 2010
2010 N/E tour introductory notes13 January 2010
New production of Cinderella announced for winter 201007 December 2009
Carol-Anne Millar04 December 2009
The Sugar Plum Fairies part two02 December 2009
Forthcoming Freefall performance01 December 2009
The Sugar Plum Fairies part one27 November 2009
Birmingham Royal Ballet's Christmas Choir Factor at Birmingham Hippodrome22 October 2009
Dual controls01 October 2009
We can be heroes11 September 2009
Christopher Rodgers-Wilson10 September 2009
E=mc² Costume designs07 September 2009
Robert Parker04 September 2009
Robert Heindel exhibition03 September 2009
Special guest for Cyrano19 August 2009
Trailer for Mao's Last Dancer - featuring Company Principal Chi Cao19 August 2009
2010 USA tour confirmed06 August 2009
Quantum Leaps introductory notes06 August 2009
Cyrano Act I set designs and plot preview30 July 2009
Video: Nutcracker technical preparations23 July 2009
Two Pigeons behind-the-scenes feature on BBC Radio WM18 June 2009
Freefall June 200915 June 2009
The Two Pigeons introductory notes01 June 2009
Mozartiana introductory notes01 June 2009
The Dream introductory notes02 June 2009
Sir Fred and Mr B.29 May 2009
Insight day spaces still available22 May 2009
Easter 2010 London season confirmed14 May 2009
David Bintley on the 2009-10 season11 May 2009
Garry Stewart video interview01 May 2009
Galanteries Introductory notes30 April 2009
2009-10 season announced09 April 2009
The Dance House introductory notes03 April 2009
Elite Syncopations: a history01 April 2009
Freefall update winter 200926 March 2009
Cyrano character guides13 March 2009
Sylvia Pizzicato rehearsal09 March 2009
The fruits of a friendship06 March 2009
China 2009 tour blog19 February 2009
David Bintley's Sylvia diary17 February 2009
Enigma Variations Troyte rehearsal video13 February 2009
No Evening of Music and Dance 200912 February 2009
China 2009 video29 January 2009
Elmhurst to hold open auditions in China12 January 2009
Happy Christmas from Birmingham Royal Ballet!22 December 2008
Sylvia photoshoot video10 December 2008
Gaylene Cummerfield06 December 2008
Nutcracker technical preparations video04 December 2008
David Bintley on 2008's Claras14 November 2008
New Beauty and the Beast clip added29 October 2008
New Nutcracker performance added!28 October 2008
Proud to be in Birmingham24 October 2008
Welcome to the jungle22 October 2008
David Bintley on the story of Sylvia22 October 2009
David Bintley on his Sylvia reworking22 October 2008
Robert Parker on Enigma Variations22 October 2008
Firebird sets off smoke alarm22 October 2008
Freefall at Artsfest 200805 October 2008
The Beasts within04 October 2008
Robert Heindel print up for auction26 September 2008
Beauty and the Beast clip now on-line07 September 2008
Lei Zhao06 September 2008
Kristen McGarrity06 September 2008
On-line auction 200804 September 2008
Robert Parker to rejoin the Company20 August 2008
Behind the scenes: Department for Learning18 August 2008
David Bintley on choreographic development28 July 2008
David Bintley on the programming process23 July 2008
Dancer galleries updated23 July 2008
Barry Wordsworth leaves Birmingham Royal Ballet18 July 2008
Company announcements15 July 2008
2007-08 comes to a close14 July 2008
New faces look back14 July 2008
Birmingham Royal Ballet on Classic FM08 July 2008
Notes on Petrushka (full version)04 July 2008
The history of Le Baiser de la fée04 July 2008
Notes on Card Game04 July 2008
Desmond Kelly Gala04 July 2008
Desmond Kelly Gala raffle results04 July 2008
David Bintley takes on role with New National Theatre, Tokyo26 June 2008
Christopher Barron adds to praise for Desmond Kelly26 June 2008
Jonathan Payn on BBC Radio York, Spring 200818 June 2008
David Bintley on Desmond Kelly14 June 2008
On sale date for autumn performances in London13 June 2008
Ambra Vallo on Giselle13 June 2008
Desmond Kelly06 June 2008
Individual tickets for 2008-09 Birmingham season on sale 2 June01 June 2008
David Bintley to speak at Ikon Gallery, Wednesday 4 June 200830 May 2008
London autumn dates confirmed29 May 2008
The Fairy's Kiss13 May 2008
The history of Card Game10 May 2008
David Bintley praises increased fitness standards09 May 2008
Petrushka09 May 2008
2008 split tour comes to a close08 May 2008
Desmond Kelly OBE Appointed as Artistic Director of Elmhurst07 May 2008
Stravinsky: the real deal03 May 2008
Your personal profile22 April 2008
Swan Lake greets Secretary of State for Culture10 April 2008
2008-09 repertory announced04 April 2008
Dancer promotions02 April 2008
Behind-the-scenes: wardrobe02 April 2008
South-West tour notes20 March 2008
2008-09 season20 March 2008
North-East tour notes19 March 2008
Anniek Soobroy10 March 2008
Sunderland autumn season on sale from Tuesday 11 March07 March 2008
2008-09 Birmingham dates announced07 March 2008
Céline Gittens07 March 2008
Desmond Kelly Gala01 March 2008
Iain Mackay and Silvia Jimenez to leave Company after Swan Lake18 February 2008
Colin Towns Mask Orchestra14 February 2008
The light fantastic12 February 2008
New Bintley ballet to premiere in Japan11 February 2008
Dominic Antonucci11 February 2008
Desmond Kelly and Marion Tait judge Young Dancer Awards regional heat05 February 2008
Swan Lake debuts confirmed04 February 2008
All South-West and North-East tour dates on sale now01 February 2008
Company indicates further international intent31 January 2008
New dancers join Birmingham Royal Ballet31 January 2008
Japan 2008 desktop wallpaper11 January 2008
Dual success at National Dance Awards23 January 2008
Freefall season review15 December 2007
Christmas season comes to a close14 December 2007
Behind the scenes: Diana Childs07 December 2007
Japan 200807 December 2007
Fantasy and Reality01 December 2007
An Entertainment of Genius01 December 2007
Beauty and the Beast19 November 2007
Stravinsky autumn 200819 September 2007
April/May tour 200815 November 2007
Michael Corder: initial stages13 November 2007
Birmingham Royal Ballet appears on BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing01 November 2007
Michael Corder visit01 November 2007
Birmingham Royal Ballet awarded for 'Outstanding Achievement in Dance'22 October 2007
Angela Paul09 October 2007
All that jazz08 October 2007
Cardiff 200805 October 2007
Enjoy Strictly dancing?03 October 2007
New arrivals 200724 September 2007
Tyrone Singleton21 September 2007
Company to return to Cardiff15 September 2007
John Craxton oversees Daphnis and Chloë amends20 August 2007
Oxford 2008 dates now on sale11 August 2007
Edward II10 August 2007
Strictly dancing10 August 2007
Take Five costume rehearsals22 June 2007
BRB dancers guesting at Royal Festival Hall22 June 2007
Mary Goodhew: the making of a dancer12 June 2007
Michael O'Hare01 June 2007
Travelling to see Birmingham Royal Ballet08 June 2007
Robert Parker's final performances confirmed31 May 2007
Ballet on the buses23 May 2007
Dynamic Dance designers14 May 2007
Company launches 2007-08 subscription season in Birmingham18 April 2007
200708 Season28 March 2007
Sunderland autumn season goes on sale12 March 2007
Plymouth autumn season announced27 February 2007
Additional choreographics participant confirmed22 February 2007
The show must go on!16 February 2007
Choreographics participants confirmed07 February 2007
Carl Davis interview07 February 2007
Pas de deux - Stravinsky and Balanchine29 January 2007
Guests artists for spring season20 January 2007
Cyrano: setting the scene29 December 2006
Cyrano receives additional firepower26 December 2006
Cyrano swordplay22 December 2006
Further new choreography for 200721 December 2006
Curtain falls on most successful Nutcracker yet14 December 2006
2007 split tour confirmed13 December 2006
BRB dancers to choreograph in 200706 December 2006
Evening of Music and Dance 200707 December 2006
USA performances revealed07 December 2006
Ballet Hoo! rebroadcast05 December 2006
Nutcracker breaks own box office record01 December 2006
All Spring 2007 tour dates now on sale01 December 2006
BRB receives nominations for classical output22 November 2006
Ballet Hoo! Phase 320 November 2006
Cyrano: early stages20 October 2006
Ballet Hoo! graduation19 October 2006
Nutcracker gala presentation09 October 2006
Ballet Hoo! aftershow interviews07 October 2006
BRB nominated for TMA Award06 October 2006
Lady MacMillan's Ballet Hoo! speech30 September 2006
David Bintley's Ballet Hoo! speech30 September 2006
David Bintley leads Ballet Hoo! applause29 September 2006
Ballet Hoo! - the final stage28 September 2006
The Acrobat and the Ringmaster20 April 2006
Transaction Charges14 July 2006
Company choreographics now on sale11 December 2006
Video galleries
Video: Pavane rehearsals07 May 2013
Video: Giselle rehearsals07 May 2013
Video: The Grand Tour rehearsals06 May 2013
Video: Take Five rehearsals06 May 2013
Video: David on Lyric Pieces05 September 2012
Video: Grosse Fuge03 September 2012
Video: Coppélia rehearsals05 July 2012
Video: Swan Lake rehearsals08 May 2012
Video: Elite Syncopations rehearsals18 April 2012
Video: Printer Jam18 February 2012
Video: Le Corsaire rehearsals14 February 2012
Video: David Bintley on Hobson's Choice06 February 2012
Video: Hobson's Choice trailer31 January 2012
Video: Hobson's Choice excerpt31 January 2012
Video: The Two Pigeons rehearsal23 January 2012
Video: Beauty and the Beast, Act I pas de deux01 January 2012
Video: Three Sugar Plum Fairies20 November 2011
Video: Clara and the Nutcracker Prince in rehearsal21 November 2011
Video: The Nutcracker trailer21 November 2011
Video: Five favourites from 2010-1103 August 2011
Video: Five 2011-12 Birmingham season previews03 August 2011
Video: The costumes of Coppélia13 May 2011
Video: Peter Wright's productions of the classics17 March 2011
Video: Allegri diversi rehearsal29 October 2010
Video: Romeo and Juliet studio rehearsals25 June 2010
Video: Theme and Variations studio rehearsals18 June 2010
Video: Romeo and Juliet studio rehearsals16 June 2010
Video: Swan Lake studio rehearsals #206 May 2010
Video: Brouillards studio rehearsals01 May 2010
Video: Swan Lake studio rehearsals28 April 2010
Video: Slaughter on Tenth Avenue studio rehearsals17 March 2010
Video: Sleeping Beauty rehearsals17 March 2010
Video: Bluebird studio rehearsals12 February 2010
Video: Early Aladdin studio rehearsals04 February 2010
Video: The Nutcracker Act I, studio rehearsal06 November 2009
Video: Cyrano studio rehearsals29 October 2009
Video: David Bintley's E=mc² diary20 August 2009
Video: Carl Davis on the score for Cyrano06 August 2009
Video: The Nutcracker, studio rehearsals, 200829 July 2009
Video: The Nutcracker, technical preparations23 July 2009
Video: David Bintley and Robert Parker on Cyrano's nose19 June 2009
Video: Dame Antoinette Sibley and Sir Anthony Dowell taking rehearsals08 June 2009
Video: The Two Pigeons rehearsal03 June 2009
Video: Kangaroo Rat rehearsal24 February 2009
Video: Chi Cao interview part two13 February 2009
Video: Chi Cao interview27 January 2009
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Company registration no. 3320538
Registered charity no. 1061012
Five mighty mice
24 August 2011You wouldn't think such tiny creatures could make much of a mark on a sixty foot stage, but here's five pint-sized performances that have stood out for us in recent productions:
1. Hobson's Hallucination in Hobson's Choice
Henry Hobson runs his shoe shop as an unofficial partnership with his daughter Maggie: she manages the business, and he drinks the profits. As his drinking buddies escort him home from another late-night bender, the alcohol starts to impair his vision. To his horror, but the audience's amusement, the heads of his partners-in-crime are one by one replaced with those of bright pink mice. You can book tickets for this season's performances of Hobson's Choice here.
2. The rodents of Romany Wood
Company dancer Kit Holder created Romany Wood for Elmhurst School for Dance in 2009. It tells the charming romantic tale of country life through the characters that inhabit the hedgerows, including Trollon the wood mouse (pictured above played by Lewis Turner, now a full-time member of Birmingham Royal Ballet).
It was last danced by the students as a charity fund-raiser performance in aid of The National Osteoporosis Society and the School's physiotherapy department. The event was attended by the Duchess of Cornwall and the piece narrated by special guest and ballet lover Alan Titchmarsh.
3. Cinderella's enchanted entourage
Possibly the tiniest dancers in our list, the mice in Cinderella were played by first-year ballet students. When we first meet them in the production they are half-transformed, scampering upright onto the stage dressed as a maid and a footman. It is only by the time they get to the Prince's ball in Act II that they have begun to look vaguely human, albeit with their mousey tails still sticking out the back of their costumes!
4. The Texas Kangaroo Rat from 'Still Life' at the Penguin Café
The most energetic performer on the list, the Texas Kangaroo Rat is a boundless bundle of energy, leaping about the stage to the sound of the Penguin Café Orchestra!
5. King Rat in The Nutcracker
It's Christmas Eve, and who's that bewhiskered fellow emerging from the fireplace in his rich red coat? Sadly not santa, and admittedly, again, a rat and not a mouse, this rotten rodent proves a perfect balletic baddie, turning sword against soldier in the dramatic battle beneath the Christmas tree. As if that wasn't swashbuckling enough, he even swings onto the stage on a rope!
You can book tickets for this season's performances of The Nutcracker here.
ENDS
Stories like this
Matthew Lawrence announces his return to Australia
A romantic night out
Birmingham Royal Ballet at ArtsFest 2012
Five 'transporting' ballet moments
Five splashes of sunshine
Cinderella wins Manchester Theatre Award
Birmingham 2012-13 Season announced
Five love triangles
Video: David Bintley on Hobson's Choice
Video: Hobson's Choice excerpt
A romantic night out
Birmingham Royal Ballet at ArtsFest 2012
Five 'transporting' ballet moments
Five splashes of sunshine
Cinderella wins Manchester Theatre Award
Birmingham 2012-13 Season announced
Five love triangles
Video: David Bintley on Hobson's Choice
Video: Hobson's Choice excerpt