Gala Evening to Celebrate the Career of Desmond Kelly

A host of stars from companies around the world join Birmingham Royal Ballet's Assistant Director to celebrate his retirement after almost 50 years working professionally in the ballet world. This unforgettable evening will see excerpts from ballets that have played an important part in Desmond's career; higlights so far confirmed include:

La Sylphide
The Royal Ballet's Roberta Marquez and Ivan Putrov dance this classic ballet, which Desmond performed with the National Ballet of Washington DC with Margot Fonteyn.

Prodigal Son
Former Company Principal Robert Parker returns to dance one of the roles for which both he and Desmond were renowned. Partnering him is current Company Principal Elisha Willis.

The Taming of the Shrew
Guests from Stuttgart Ballet perform the lively pas de deux from John Cranko's well-known Shakespearean ballet.

Apollo
Former Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal Iain Mackay and the Company's Jenna Roberts dance a pas de deux from Igor Stravinsky's first collaboration with George Balanchine, the title role of which Desmond performed to great acclaim.

Ballet Hoo!
Some of the young people mentored for the Channel 4 show will be back for a surprise visit!

Hobson's Choice
Robert Parker dances the famous clog dance from David Bintley's much-loved comedy in which Desmond created the title role, Henry Hobson.

Romeo and Juliet
The Royal Ballet's Miyako Yoshida and Iain Mackay dance a pas de deux from MacMillan's masterful depiction of one of the greatest love stories ever told.

The Nutcracker
Australian Ballet's Rachel Rawlins and new Company Principal Matthew Lawrence dance the amazing grand pas de deux from Peter Wright's production of this Christmas favourite.

Theme and Variations
Miyako Yoshida is joined by Artists of Birmingham Royal Ballet to dance this sparkling solo from a Balanchine classic.

The event will also feature special guest speakers, and a tribute by students from Elmhurst School for Dance - Birmingham Royal Ballet's associated ballet school, which Desmond joins as Artistic Director at the end of this season. The Royal Ballet Sinfonia will be performing throughout the evening.

For more information and booking details, please click here.