Birmingham Royal Ballet's Triumphant Return from China

06 February 2009

Sold-out performances in all cities
Unprecedented support from organisations
Invitation to return to China

Birmingham Royal Ballet last week returned from an extremely successful three-week tour of China with an invitation to return to the Country.

Several years in the planning, the tour was the largest undertaking of the Company in recent years. The tour was the first made by the Company to China as Birmingham Royal Ballet and took in the cities of Guangzhou (Birmingham's twin city), Beijing and Shanghai. Sold-out performances of David Bintley's Beauty and the Beast and Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet were presented alongside two orchestral concerts from The Royal Ballet Sinfonia. The Company performed to audiences of over 25,000 people and the visit has also further enhanced the Company’s international reputation as an ambitious and creative young Company.

Christopher Barron, Birmingham Royal Ballet's Chief Executive, said 'The success of the tour has been so much more than we could have hoped for. The support that we received from companies and individuals at home in the UK and in China has been unprecedented and an invitation to return to the country is the icing on the cake.'

The tour was supported by many organisation: Birmingham City Council; IMI; The University of Birmingham; Bournville College of Further Education; Advantage West Midlands (The Heart of England); the British Council and Amway Artistry.

Birmingham Royal Ballet also received praise for their extensive outreach and education programmes, working with children of migrant families and emerging dance artists in a range of community settings in conjunction with the British Council. A spokesperson for the British Council said 'We were delighted that Birmingham Royal Ballet's Learning team accompanied the tour as their expertise in working within such settings proved invaluable. The feedback we have had from the participants has been excellent and we look forward to collaborating on future projects.'

Birmingham Royal Ballet is now currently investigating the possibility of a return visit to China which it hopes will be possible in 2011.

ENDS

For further press information please contact:
Simon Harper, Media and PR Manager, on 0121 245 3562; Email: SimonHarper@brb.org.uk
or Claire Lishman, Media and PR Officer, on 0121 245 3549 Email: ClaireLishman@brb.org.uk

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