Located in the UK
Located in the USA
Located in Europe
- Christopher Austin, Rockey Sun Keting and Marko Nyberg
Black Sabbath – The Ballet (2023)
- Chester Music Ltd (World)
Commissioned by Carlos Acosta Artistic Director for Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Commissioner exclusivity applies
Black Sabbath forged their unique sound in Birmingham Royal Ballet’s home city. In Black Sabbath – The Ballet expect a spectacular theatrical evening featuring thrilling dance alongside full orchestrations of legendary Black Sabbath tracks such as Paranoid and Iron Man, as well as new orchestral works inspired by their music - all performed live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. In the second of three Birmingham-focussed commissions, Carlos Acosta was drawn to both the band’s work and its musical legacy as the originators of Heavy Metal. This full-evening ballet promises to be a unique undertaking with three composers and three choreographers, led by renowned Choreographer Pontus Lidberg (whose work has been performed by the Swedish Royal Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet) and Composer Chris Austin (whose work includes orchestrating the White Stripes music for Wayne McGregor’s Chroma) working alongside award-winning writer Richard Thomas (Jerry Springer, The Opera) to create an extraordinary metal symphony over three acts. Black Sabbath themselves have been closely involved in developing this unique collaboration. Sparks will undoubtedly fly in this intriguing new response to Black Sabbath’s music and legacy – the first true heavy metal ballet experience.
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- Electric Guitar
- 1 hr 26 min
- 4th June 2025, The Kennedy Center Opera House, Washington DC, United States of America
- 5th June 2025, The Kennedy Center Opera House, Washington DC, United States of America
Media
Reviews
“… there always was a hefty, symphonic quality to Black Sabbath’s music, and Christopher Austin – who has here masterminded the orchestration and reimagining of eight of their tracks – was also responsible for the swaggering White Stripes reworkings that helped make Wayne McGregor’s Chroma such a hit in 2006.“
“But it is in Act III that the original songs, new orchestrations and punchy steps coalesce best. Austin’s variations on Iron Man (and editing of the original Iron Man into 7/4) are particularly ingenious”
“an ingenious, affectionate show roared home by the sold-out crowd”
“a headbanging triumph”
“a triumphant world premiere that celebrates Birmingham’s local heroes”
“utterly unique and absolutely worth seeing”
“Ballsy, full-blooded celebration of heavy metal and classical ballet hits epic adrenaline highs”
“a generous-spirited crowdpleaser”
“a hybrid production that appeals to both dance audiences and Black Sabbath fans”
“The hottest ticket in town”
“Ground-breaking”
“once again, Birmingham is at the forefront of a new creative revolution”
“Black Sabbath - The Ballet is a triumph”
“a brilliant Brummie masterpiece”
“successfully creating the unexpected and pushing the boundaries of dance and performance”
“possibly one of the most intriguing and mesmerising performances ever created”
“world-class and totally of Birmingham all at once”
“eclectic and damn Brummie brilliant”
“Total perfection!”
“utterly perfect and awe inspiring”
“Black Sabbath, the ballet, is a winner”
“I don’t recall a Birmingham ballet evening like it. And I’ve seen a lot of them over a lot of years...Black Sabbath is an evening of surprises. But also one that delights at every turn”
“I was there moments don’t come along that often in theatre - but this is one of them”
"Black Sabbath: The Ballet has something ludicrous about it, the fierce lowbrow attack of heavy metal's original rock demons crashing into the high cultural grace and precision of classical choreography."
More Info
- Black Sabbath - The Ballet international tour
- 24th April 2024
- Birmingham Royal Ballet announce US and EU dates for their international tour of Black Sabbath - The Ballet
