If, like us, you know very little about ballet, but have always wanted to. Head down to the Bullring this November. Where Birmingham Royal Ballet will show off the difference between a pirouette and a plié, a grand pas and a grand jeté.
On November 12, the Birmingham Royal Ballet will run a day of free family activities. They will provide shoppers the opportunity to discover the magic of The Nutcracker. A demonstration of Sir Peter Wright’s iconic Christmas ballet will feature two of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s world class dancers performing the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Prince. A meet and greet with the performers will follow.
The event, largely aimed at families, will also feature a colourful, interactive workshop for children aged 3-10 years. Taking inspiration from The Nutcracker, kids will try on costumes, follow story guides and learn new movements.
The Nutcracker is the quintessential festive ballet. Set on Christmas Eve in the Victorian era, at the stroke of midnight Clara’s toys come to life and she is swept away on an adventure to the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Sir Peter Wright, former artistic director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, gifted his production of The Nutcracker to Birmingham back in 1990. It has been performed in the city almost every Christmas since.
“Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker belongs to the City of Birmingham,” said Tom Rogers, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Creative Content Producer. “It is important that we find ways to make sure it can be seen and enjoyed by the whole city.”
This free event will be on the ground floor of the Bullring, taking place between 2 and 5pm. Birmingham Royal Ballet will perform The Nutcracker at Birmingham Hippodrome from November 19 until December 10. To grab your tickets head here.