There’s an official Black Sabbath ballet premiering in Birmingham

The Birmingham Royal Ballet have announced details of Black Sabbath – The Ballet.

Premiering this September in the heavy metal legends’ hometown of Birmingham, the show will also hit Plymouth and London (dates to be announced) later this year. It’ll feature eight specially reworked Black Sabbath classics (Paranoid, Ironman, War Pigs, Black Sabbath, Solitude, Orchid, Laguna Sunrise and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath) along with new music inspired by the band.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how this all develops!” enthuses Tony Iommi. “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!”

Cuban-British ballet dancer and Black Sabbath – The Ballet commissioner Carlos Acosta continues: “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.”

Catch Black Sabbath – The Ballet at the following:

September

23 Birmingham Hippodrome (7:30pm)
27 Birmingham Hippodrome (7:30pm)
28 Birmingham Hippodrome (2pm and 7:30pm)
29 Birmingham Hippodrome (7:30pm)
30 Birmingham Hippodrome (2:30pm and 7:30pm)

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