Introducing Birthday Offering by Frederick Ashton

Frederick Ashton's Birthday Offering is a joyful celebration of classical ballet and the shared origins of Birmingham Royal Ballet and The Royal Ballet.

Ahead of our 20th-Century Masterpieces performances in June, we're taking a look at the history and context of this original British ballet, as it returns to Birmingham Hippodrome for the first time in over 30 years.

Birthday Offering was created in 1956 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of Britain’s first national ballet company – the Vic-Wells Ballet – in 1931. Founded by Ninette de Valois, the Vic-Wells Ballet was the forerunner of both Birmingham Royal Ballet and The Royal Ballet.

The ballet was choreographed by Frederick Ashton, a figure widely regarded as the father of British ballet.

By 1956 de Valois had two ballet companies, both based at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, and that same year the two companies and their joint school – now The Royal Ballet School – were granted a Royal Charter. 

Ashton had started working with de Valois' company shortly after its creation and he was appointed Resident Choreographer in 1935. In the first 25 years of his relationship with the Company he created over 30 works. Most of these were one-act ballets and many survive in the companies' repertoire to this day. The most notable ones include Façade (1931), Les Rendezvous (1934), Les Patineurs (1937), Symphonic Variations (1946), Valses nobles et sentimentales (1947), Scènes de ballet (1948), Illuminations (1950) and Daphnis and Chloë (1951). It was in these works that he developed and established a distinctive British ballet style, known for its musicality, elegance and expressive choreography, for which the Royal Ballet companies are known worldwide.

Birthday Offering does not tell a narrative story. Instead, Ashton created it as a celebratory showcase for the dancers, set to a vibrant score using music by Alexander Glazunov. The cast consists of seven couples, originally led by renowned dancers Margot Fonteyn and Michael Somes, and also including Beryl Grey, Violetta Elvin, Nadia Nerina, Svetlana Beriosova, and David Blair. The ballet opens with a grand ensemble before unfolding through a series of elegant solos and pas de deux, each highlighting the musicality and virtuosity of the performers. The work culminates in a jubilant finale, bringing the full cast together in a radiant display of classical ballet.

Experience sparkling choreography, intricate footwork and a unique sense of joy with Birthday Offering. Performances of 20th-Century Masterpieces run from 19 - 20 June at Birmingham Hippodrome – book your tickets now before they’re gone.

20th-Century Masterpieces is supported by donors to the Caroline Miller Fund. The Green Table is supported by Stuart Sweeney and Fern & Clive Potter. Birthday Offering is supported by The Frederick Ashton Foundation and The Rick Mather David Scrase Foundation.