Black Sabbath Ballet Premiering In September
Birmingham Royal Ballet green-lit the coolest ballet on earth! A ballet soundtracked by Black Sabbath songs is set to premiere in September at the city’s Hippodrome theatre.
Commissioned by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s director Carlos Acosta and Ballet Now, you can expect the performance to include the eight re-orchestrated Sabbath songs below and new music inspired by the band.
* “Paranoid” (“Paranoid” album, 1970);
* “Iron Man” (“Paranoid” album, 1970);
* “War Pigs” (“Paranoid” album, 1970);
* “Black Sabbath” (“Black Sabbath” album, 1970);
* “Solitude” (Master Of Reality” album, 1971);
* “Orchid” (Master Of Reality” album, 1971);
* “Laguna Sunrise” (“Vol 4” album, 1972) and
* “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” (“Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” album, 1973)
The new music featured in the ballet will be composed by Tony Award winner Christopher Austin, Marko Nyberg and Sun Keting.
Acosta said, “Black Sabbath is probably Birmingham’s biggest export, the most famous (and infamous) cultural entity to ever emerge from the city — so I was naturally drawn to the idea of a collaboration between what most people might think are the most unlikely of partners. The band’s enthusiasm for the project is a huge endorsement. They are putting their trust in us to deliver something completely new and original, and that’s quite a responsibility but one that we are beyond excited to take on. Everyone in the BRB company is thrilled to be involved and we cannot wait to share the vision for the show in more detail in the coming months. I have hand-picked the creative team and will work closely with them to make a spectacular show.”
Tony Iommi, Sabbath co-founder, lead guitarist and co-songwriter, added, “I’m looking forward to seeing how this all develops! Black Sabbath have always been innovators and never been predictable, and it doesn’t come any more unpredictable than this! I’d never imagined pairing Black Sabbath with Ballet but it’s got a nice ring to it! I’ve met with Carlos several times and his enthusiasm is infectious. I performed alongside some of the dancers at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony and they had an incredible energy, so I’m happy to go along for the ride with them and see you on the other side!”
“Black Sabbath – The Ballet” runs September 23 to September 30 (and more dates to be announced for fall 2023) at Plymouth Theatre Royal and Sadler’s Wells in London.
Road trip, anyone?
How much would you pay to see a Black Sabbath ballet?
