dean victor eastmond

★★★★

Last week, the Birmingham Royal Ballet took to the stage with one of David Bintley’s most famous and iconic choreographies, Carmina Burana, a dance oozing in seduction, sexual temptation and sin. It is the devil on Bintley’s shoulder and now comes the angel; Sylvia. Now 22 years old, the “ballet rom-com” – and not any rom-com like Bridget Jones – turns back time as an infidel husband (Tyrone Singleton) and wife (Celine Gittens) have a drunken argument. With a score by Delibes, this is a classical and typical ballet which you get exactly what you a) expect and b) need from a ballet.

The Count’s Valet (Joseph Caley) finds himself in the land of immortals, blinded and in love with Sylvia (Momoko Hirata). The story teaches of love and relationships, seduction and understanding and is undoubtedly a prized part of the BRB’s repertoire. Though a slow first act, the production warms into something impeccable by Act III.

Caley and Hirata, both rising stars for Bintley, deserve nothing less than the most credit, serving nothing less than the best. The versatile performers are able to impeccably tell stories with foot points and leaps, expect big things from these two over the next few years. Duets between the two, especially in the final act, when Caley was blindfolded caused tempestuous reactions from the audience.

Having already seen Gittens wow audiences a handful of times, seeing her presence on stage was yet again an honour. Up in the ranks with Osipova and Guillem, Celine Gittens is one of the best dancers this country has seen in the 21^st century and indisputably the BRB’s crown jewel. She lives and breathes every role she encapsulates and it’s such a joy to see.

There are essences of Giselle, with veiled dancers, but, like any Bintley piece, with more pirates. Comedy was injected into scenes with swash-bucklers as the BRB put a whole new meaning to “en pointe,” having Mathias Dingman dance on a peg-leg. Impressive.

The Birmingham Royal Ballet have just released their next line-up, with the likes of Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet adding to the list. Make sure you see something by these guys.

Like I said, original publishing goes to Gay Times