Theatre News

Opening: BRB at Lowry

Dominic Antonucci, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Principal dancer, will tread the boards for the last time at The Lowry early next month when the Company performs Sir Fred and Mr B and Love and Loss. At the beginning of next season Dominic will take up the role of Ballet Master with Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Dominic joined the Company as a Soloist in 1994, from American Ballet Theatre and was promoted to Principal in 2003.  As well as dancing most of the major roles in the repertoire Dominic has, over the years, developed a range of skills through his work with the Department of Learning, summer teaching, coaching in Japan and the USA.  He has also become a regular Company teacher over the past few years and recently spent a month working with the National Ballet of Japan at the New National Theatre in Tokyo where he coached Principals and generally oversaw the revival of Sir Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella.

David Bintley, BRB Artistic Director, commented: “I’m sure that his experience and skills along with his ability as a communicator will make Dominic a fine addition to the ballet staff.”

Love and Loss consists of three contrasting ballets exploring the highs and lows of joy and sorrow. Galanteries, music by Mozart, has been heralded as one of David Bintley’s greatest dance works. The Dance House, music by Shostakovitch, is a powerful and thought-provoking meditation on death. It was originally created for the San Francisco Ballet by David Bintley as a personal and poignant tribute to a late friend. Sir Frederick Ashton’s The Dream depicts one of Shakespeare’s funniest plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The one-act ballet has delighted audiences since its première in 1964 with comical fairies, mismatched lovers, and a mischievous sprite.

Sir Fred and Mr B features two romantic ballets from Sir Frederick Ashton and George Balanchine, two of the most celebrated choreographers of the 20th century. First is the Two Pigeons, choreographed by Frederick Ashton, which tells the tale of two young lovers and how, despite temptation, true love conquers all. Then Mozartiana, choreographed by George Balanchine is a sparkling piece of pure classical dance, tinged with humour set to lively music from the great ballet composer, Tchaikovsky.

The pieces run from Wed 1 – Sat 4 July at the Lowry.