REVIEW | Black Sabbath — The Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Reviewer - Emmie

Content Warning: This performance includes occasional use of dry ice, smoke, flashing lights, loud music and archival voiceovers that feature bleeped-out swearing and references to drug use

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Seeing an audience of avid Ballet and rock metal music fans come together in an auditorium is a profound experience like no other. You can experience this for yourself with Birmingham Royal Ballet’s highly anticipated production of Black Sabbath-The Ballet. Its popularity is clear to see, with more than 60% of the tickets reportedly sold to people who have never attended a ballet before.  

Birmingham’s talent, both old and new shines in this bold and intoxicating new piece of dance from Carlos Acosta.

Embedded in Birmingham’s cultural history is the heavy metal band, Black Sabbath. Creating a ballet around them is an ambitious task and this ballet executes it in spectacular style. The production has been built around some of the band’s most significant music in their career, whilst also making sure their mark made on the people of Birmingham doesn’t go unnoticed either. Black Sabbath - The Ballet therefore acts like this brilliant balance between a tribute and also provides as an introduction to the band but also to Ballet. This is as an art form that can be more than just the “traditional” stuff it’s often associated with. In fact, a younger me would have LOVED how ambitious Ballet was becoming right now, we should lap up every opportunity it has to do so.

Eight tracks (‘Paranoid’, ‘Ironman’, ‘War Pigs’, ‘Black Sabbath’, ‘Solitude’, ‘Orchid’ ‘Laguna Sunrise’, ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’) have been re-orchestrated for the Royal Ballet Sinfonia and woven into 3 acts consisting of 30-40 minute sections. 

The three acts exceeded expectations because they were choreographed and composed by six different artists.

Recordings of interviews are incorporated into certain acts, eliciting numerous moments of laughter. Additionally, a live guitarist frequently performs during select portions. This creates a nostalgic experience for the audience members who eagerly absorb every musical note. Moreover, it offers a compelling exploration of defying conventional stereotypes, making it an enjoyable dive for fans and newcomers alike.

One of the highlights of this production for me was the passionate pas de deux which takes place in the first act. A couple are fused together in a kiss to an orchestral version of ‘Solitude’. 

Black Sabbath - The Ballet offers a refreshing and electric experience for audiences of all ages. It’s inspiring to see this company breathe new life and exciting future prospects into the Ballet industry.

The tour continues to Plymouth Theatre Royal from October 12 to 14 and Sadler's Wells in London from October 18 to 21.