Apollo | Interlinked | 'Still Life' at the Penguin Café

Three contrasting ballets created across the last 100 years, from George Balanchine's exquisite Apollo, to Juliano Nunes's Interlinked, and David Bintley's engaging but poignant look at human impact on the world, 'Still Life' at the Penguin Café

This page relates to performances that have already taken place. For a full list of current shows and future performances please see our What's On page.

About Apollo | Interlinked | 'Still Life' at the Penguin Café

A colourful host of endangered animals seek shelter from the storm in David Bintley’s ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café. Featuring a morris-dancing flea, a ballroom-dancing ram, a hoe-downing rat, a majestic zebra and many more, this is an ‘unforgettable’ (Sunday Times), witty and enjoyable, yet bittersweet and poignant look at human impact on the world. All danced to Simon Jeffes’s delightful score, originally composed for the Penguin Café Orchestra.

Pure genius

The Sunday Express on ‘Still Life’

The ‘quiet perfection’ (The Guardian) of Apollo highlighted the genius of its creator, the then 24-year-old George Balanchine, and launched his lifelong partnership with the composer Igor Stravinsky. This most exquisite of ballets was regarded by Balanchine as his artistic coming of age. Its pared back elegance gives the perfect platform for the Company’s world-class dancers to shine.

Sublime

The Sunday Times on Apollo

Brilliant young Brazilian choreographer Juliano Nunes’s Interlinked was premiered in summer 2022 as part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival. Described as ‘stretching ballet’s mould’ by The Guardian, with a specially composed score by Australian composer Luke Howard, this beautifully abstract piece explores ideas of grace, beauty and harmony in ways that push the usual boundaries of classical dance.

Download your castsheet by clicking the buttons on the performance calendar below, or after the performance by visiting our castsheet archive. The final version of each download will be available approx. two hours before the listed performance (earlier versions may be posted in advance if available).

Interlinked was originally commissioned as part of Birmingham 2022 Festival, supported by Arts Council England and The National Lottery Fund Heritage

Credits

Apollo

Music

Igor Stravinsky

Choreography

George Balanchine

Lighting

Peter Teigen

Apollo

Music

Igor Stravinsky

Choreography

George Balanchine

Lighting

Peter Teigen

Interlinked

Music

Luke Howard

Choreography

Juliano Nunes

Lighting

Tom Visser

Interlinked

Music

Luke Howard

Choreography

Juliano Nunes

Lighting

Tom Visser

'Still Life' at the Penguin Café

Music

Simon Jeffes

Choreography

David Bintley

Designs

Hayden Griffin

Lighting

John B. Read

'Still Life' at the Penguin Café

Music

Simon Jeffes

Choreography

David Bintley

Designs

Hayden Griffin

Lighting

John B. Read

Stories