Two Ballets Fuelled By Power And Politics

Birmingham Royal Ballet's Fire and Fury brings a double bill to Sadler's Wells that firmly fuses past and present. Established choreographer and company director, David Bintley guides audiences in looking back with The King Dances, and the contemporary award-winning, Juanjo Arqués leads them ahead with his new work, Ignite. Together the mixed programme gives audiences a chance to understand the present through the lessons of history.

The performances feature live music from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted by Martin Georgiev and Jonathan Lo. Birmingham Royal Ballet is a leading classical ballet touring company. They perform traditional, classical and heritage ballets as well as innovative new works, always aiming to encourage a new generation of choreographers.

What Is Fire And Fury About?

Using Bintley's contemporary view, The King Dances reimagines ballet's first steps, those taken by a young King Louis XIV in a 17th century French Court as he dances the role of the Sun God. Featuring an all-male ensemble, the dancing King struggles for political power against his torturous mentor, Cardinal Mazarin. Music is by Stephen Montague, designs by Katrina Lindsay and lighting by Peter Mumford.

With Ignite, the political conflicts of 19th century London are translated into atmospheric choreography inspired by J.M.W. Turner's painting "The Burning of the House of Lords and Commons". As part of Birmingham Royal Ballet's talent development programme, Ballet Now, Arques' Ignite was a nominee of the Fedora-Van Cleef & Arpels Prize for Ballet in 2018. It is a Co-Production between Birmingham Royal Ballet and Dutch National Opera and Ballet. Featuring new designs from Tatyana Van Walsum, a score from Kate Whitley, lighting by Bert Dalhuysen and Fabienne Vegt as dramaturg.