Host of new shows at Birmingham Hippodrome
Birmingham Hippodrome has announced details of a host of new productions. The new 2011/12 season features big star names, spectacular productions for all the family and a fantastic choice of large scale musicals.
Birmingham Hippodrome has announced details of a host of new productions. The new 2011/12 season features big star names, spectacular productions for all the family and a fantastic choice of large scale musicals.
The huge range of great shows includes circus, clowning, ballroom and busking to visits by international companies from across the globe.
The Hippodrome is delighted to announce the return of International Dance Festival Birmingham (IDFB) which will turn Birmingham into one big dance venue for four weeks in the Spring of 2012.
Co-produced by the theatre and its resident partner company DanceXchange, following the festival's huge success in 2008 and 2010, IDFB 2012 will feature dance performances on the Hippodrome main stage, as well as other venues and public places across Birmingham and the region.
Tickets are on sale for IDFB 2012 performances at Birmingham Hippodrome with full information being announced in November - see www.idfb.co.uk
Other new season hightlights include:
The Vagina Monologues
Sunday 6 & Monday 7 November
Tickets: £18-£23.50
Perf times: Eves 7.30pm
Eve Ensler's hilarious and poignant Broadway and West End smash hit The Vagina Monologues always proves to be immensely popular with Birmingham audiences and returns for just two nights this November. Starring Louisa Lytton (EastEnders), Tiana Benjamin (EastEnders) and Wendi Peters (Coronation Street) this unmissable show is for every generation. Bring your mum, your best friend, your sister or even your gran – this is the ultimate girls' night out.
Slava's Snowshow
Wednesday 9 – Sunday 13 November
Tickets: £14-£30
Perf times: Wed-Sat Eves 7.30pm; Thurs mat 2pm; Sat mat 2.30pm; Sun mat 3pm
Slava's Snowshow returns to Birmingham Hippodrome by popular demand. Packed with fun and surprises for all the family, it touches the heart and the funny bone. Slava's Snowshow is a world of wonder combining hilarity and poignancy with stunning spectacle and breathtaking images. The ensemble cast of clowns use water, cobwebs, bubbles and dry ice to dazzling effect. One tiny piece of paper begins a blinding, heart–stopping snowstorm that engulfs the audience in a blizzard of sparkling snowflakes.
The Nutcracker - Birmingham Royal Ballet
Friday 25 Nov – Sunday 11 Dec
Tickets: £15-£46
Perf times: Tues-Sat eves 7.30pm; Fri 2 Dec 6.30pm; Tue & Thu mats 2pm; Sat mats 2.30pm; Sun mats 1pm
Sir Peter Wright's world famous production of The Nutcracker is a firm family favourite in Birmingham and marks the start of the Christmas season at Birmingham Hippodrome. This enchanting, magical production is one not to be missed. Full of breathtaking special effects, magic, lavish costumes and featuring set designs by John F. Macfarlane with music by Tchaikovsky. The perfect theatrical start to the festive season for all the family.
Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!
Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 February 2012
Tickets: £15-£37
Perf Times: Tue-Sat eves 7.30pm; Wed mat 2pm; Sat mat 2.30pm
Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! returns to celebrate its 20th anniversary direct from a limited seven week Christmas season at Sadler's Wells in London. This delicious theatrical feast follows Matthew Bourne's last sold-out visit to Birmingham Hippodrome with his highly acclaimed interpretation of Cinderella last February. Featuring Bourne's trademark wit and pathos, Nutcracker! follows Clara's bittersweet journey from a hilariously bleak Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross' Orphanage, through a shimmering, ice-skating winter wonderland to the Candy Kingdom.
Stomp
Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 February 2012
Tickets: £15.50 - £30
Perf Times: Tue-Sat eves 7.30pm; Wed & Fri mat 2pm; Sat mat 2.30pm
Stomp - the British theatrical sensation - returns to Birmingham Hippodrome with brand new routines, new choreography and new music. Now fresher, faster and funnier than ever! This amazing show has become a worldwide success story with its unique combination of theatre, dance, comedy and percussion. Eight performers use boots, bins, brooms and everything (including the kitchen sink) to hammer out an explosively feel-good rhythm.
Birmingham Royal Ballet - 2012 season
Tickets: £15-£46
Perf times: Wed – Sat Eves 7.30pm; Thu mat 2pm; Sat mat 2.30pm
Birmingham Royal Ballet return in 2012 with a family favourite and two romantic ballets. When Hobson's Choice (Weds 22–Saturday 25 Feb 2012) was premiered in 1989 at the Royal Opera House, David Bintley's earthy comedy received a standing ovation the likes of which hadn't been seen since the premiere of Frederick Ashton's La Fille mal gardée. With a score by Paul Reade, composer of The Antiques Roadshow and The Flumps, the ballet has remained hugely popular ever since.
The season continues with Spring Passions (Weds 29 Feb – Sat 3 Mar) featuring two romantic ballets in one evening: Frederick Ashton's Daphnis and Chloe danced to Ravel's greatest orchestral score tells a fantastical tale of an island paradise in ancient Greece. The evening continues with The Two Pigeons, choreographed again by Ashton, a heart-warming tale of a young artist and his fiancée, featuring real pigeons which was last performed in front of Prince Charles as part of the company's 20th Anniversary in 2010.
Welsh National Opera 20-112012 season
Tue15-Sat 19 Nov 2011/Tues 6-Sat 10 Mar 2012/Wed 13-Sat 16 June 2012
Tickets: Tristan and Isolde £20-£54; Katya Kabanova £10-£30 all other operas £15.50-48
Save money by purchasing a Season ticket (excl. Katya Kabanova)
Welsh National Opera, who regard Birmingham Hippodrome as their English home, have now announced all performances on sale for their 2011/2012 season which features a brand new production of Mozart's epic Don Giovanni and the return of opera masterpieces The Marriage of Figaro and Beatrice and Benedict. Other highlights include La Boheme, La Traviata, Tristan and Isolde and Janacek's Katya Kabanova.
Oliver!
Tuesday 13 March – Saturday 21 April 2012
Tickets: £18.50 - £52
Perf Times: Tue-Sat eves 7.30pm; Thu mats 2pm; Wed mats (4 & 18 Apr only) 2pm; Sat & Sun Mats 2.30pm
Oliver! recently completed a two-year run at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London where it opened to rave reviews, sell-out business and the biggest advance sales of all time for a West End show. In a fabulous new production from Cameron Mackintosh, one of the most beloved British musicals ever comes to life with Lionel Bart's sensational score including songs such as Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two, I'd Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah, As Long As He Needs Me and many more. Playing the role of Fagin will be Neil Morrissey from Tue 13 Mar – Sat 1 Apr and Brian Conley from Tue 3 Apr – Sat 21 Apr.
William Forsythe's Artifact- Royal Ballet of Flanders
Wednesday 25 & Thursday 26 Apr 2012
Part of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2012
Tickets: £15 - £32.50
Perf Times: Wed & Thu eve 7.30pm
The Royal Ballet of Flanders, founded in 1969, is currently Belgium's only classical ballet company. The company make their debut at Birmingham Hippodrome as part of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2012. When American Choreographer William Forsythe's acclaimed Artifact was created 25 years ago it changed the way in which audiences look at expression through dance forever. Artifact is a full-evening show in four parts and presents group scenes, solos and pas de deux. The magical effect of this groundbreaking opus is enhanced by the brilliant lighting design, also created by William Forsythe.
The King and I
Tuesday 1-Saturday 5 May 2012
Tickets: £14.50 - £34.50
Perf Times: Tue- Sat eves 7.30pm, Wed mat 2pm, Sat mat 2.30pm
Seen by millions of people across the world since it was first performed in 1951, The King and I was showered with awards when it first came to the stage and became a blockbuster Hollywood movie. Its glorious soundtrack is still a best seller today featuring some of the most beautiful songs ever written including Shall We Dance, I Whistle A Happy Tune, Hello Young Lovers and the unforgettable Getting To Know You.
This new production from the Leicester Curve, stars Ramon Tikaram (This Life, Eastenders, Wired) and Josefina Gabrielle (Sweet Charity, Oklahoma!, Chicago) and is directed by Paul Kerryson. The King and I boasts lavish sets and costumes, grand-scale spectacle with giant gold Buddhas, sumptuous costumes, a chorus of adorable children, acrobatic dancers and live music.
Danza Contemporanea de Cuba
Tuesday 8 & Wednesday 9 May 2012
Part of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2012
Tickets:£12.50 - £27
Perf Times: Tue & Wed eves 7.30pm
Cuba's premiere contemporary dance company, Danza Contemporanea de Cuba make their debut at Birmingham Hippodrome as part of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2012. The company enjoyed their first outstanding visit to the UK in 2010 and return by overwhelming demand. Based in Havana, this energetic company combine American theatre, Afro-Caribbean dance styles and classical European Ballet with unique results. The 2012 visit will include the World Premiere of a work by the renowned Israeli choreographer, Itzik Galili, and another chance to catch the incredible Olivier Award Winning Mambo 3XX1 accompanied by a seductive Latin beat, featuring salsa and jive.
Breakin' Convention
Monday 14 –Tuesday 15 May 2012
Part of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2012
Tickets: £15 *£9.50 if buying tickets in advance before the day of the performance
Perf Times: Mon &Tue eves 7.30pm (doors open 5.30pm)
Breakin' Convention, the critically acclaimed international festival of hip hop dance theatre, returns to Birmingham Hippodrome with another line-up of jaw-dropping performances by both local and international companies. Marking its third visit to the City, this hugely popular Sadler's Wells production is hosted and curated by eminent UK hip hop theatre artist Jonzi D who brings together some of the best break-dancers, body poppers, Bboys and Bgirls in the world. And don't forget - Breakin' Convention is much more than just a show, it is an experience! Before curtain up, audiences can take part in freestyle sessions with live DJ demos in the foyers and workshops from top international artists. Birmingham Hippodrome is delighted that Breakin' Convention will be part of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2012.
Wonderful Town
Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 May 2012
Tickets: £17.50 - £42.50
Perf Times: Tue-Sat eves 7.30pm; Wed mat 2pm; Sat mat 2.30pm
Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre, The Hallé Orchestra and The Lowry are the creative powerhouse behind a new production of Leonard Bernstein's musical comedy Wonderful Town. Opening in Manchester in April 2012 it receives its Birmingham Hippodrome premiere the following month. Connie Fisher, star of The Sound of Music and winner of the BBC's How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, returns to the theatre to play aspiring writer Ruth Sherwood who arrives in New York City bursting with dreams of romance, riches and a free lunch at Walgreen's deli. Featuring a superb score by Leonard Bernstein, the show has received countless awards since its premiere in 1953 including the prestigious Tony Award for Best Musical.
Since the last refurbishment of the Hippodrome stage in the early 1980s, more than 650 different productions have been presented at the theatre with regular heavy usage of the stage, six days a week, over 50 weeks a year. This usage is now taking its toll and the stage needs to be replaced.
This essential replacement did not form part of the theatre's award-winning redevelopment work in 2001. The theatre now needs to raise just over £1 million and is seeking donations from individuals, from grant-making trusts and from corporate supporters.
Stuart Griffiths, Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome said "We have a big task on our hands at the moment to ensure we maintain our position as one of the very best theatres in the UK and a stage for the best in the world. We will close briefly in the early autumn of 2012 for the rebuild to take place. As a registered charity receiving no public subsidy, our fundraising is already underway with big applications to grant-making trusts and corporate supporters. But members of the public can now get involved too.
"From organising a sponsored event to naming a seat, or simply making a donation when purchasing a ticket, we hope people will contribute to the Stage Appeal and help us to continue bringing the best companies and performers to this great theatre for future generations."
To play your part and support the Hippodrome's Stage Appeal, donate on 0844 338 5000, visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com/stageappeal, or email fundraising@birminghamhippodrome.com
