Yesterday, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s BRB2 Ensemble performed a medley celebration entitled Diaghilev and the Birth of Modern Ballet. This morning also saw an announcement from BRB Director Carlos Acosta, revealing that a radical new version of a classical ballet will open next year’s season, in September 2026.

BRB2 is a company of young ballet graduates taking part in a two-year performance programme, in which they are given valuable experience and training as they become the next generation of exceptional ballet dancers. While some of the performers involved in this production are dancers from the main Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) company - notably Jack Easton, who danced with BRB2’s Ariana Allen in Le Spectre de la rose - most of the pieces truly exhibited the skills of the BRB2 company.

The performance was a showcase of works from the repertory of Sergei Diaghilev’s ballet troupe, who fled Russia at the start of the 20th Century, and whose productions changed the landscape of dance.  Yesterday’s performance opened with Les Sylphides, accompanied by Jeanette Wong on the piano, in an elegant and precise display of classical ballet from the BRB2 Ensemble. 

The remainder of the evening’s pieces consisted of iconic solo and pas de deux moments, accompanied by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia under the baton of Paul Murphy. Andrea Riolo and Ixan Llorca Ferrer performed Shéhérazade’s sensual pas de deux, and Sophie Walters provided a stylish appearance as Les Biches’ Hostess, followed by Ellyne Knol and Noah Cosgriff in a pas de deux. The final showpiece of the evening was from The Firebird, featuring Alexandra Manuel performing with poise and repressed power, alongside Marlo Kempsey-Fogg, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s apprentice dancer.

The decision to celebrate ‘the birth of modern ballet’ in this manner is inspired - allowing the opportunity for these up-and-coming dancers to take the lead in a high-class production, while simultaneously offering an insight into an important slice of ballet history.

Looking forward to the start of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s 2026/27 season, it has now been announced that the BRB company’s opening production will be an ambitious reimagining of La Bayadère. The ballet will be transplanted away from its original setting - an exoticised version of India - instead taking place in sumptuous 16th Century Venice. 

While elements of the ballet will be retained and celebrated, such as the highly regarded Kingdom of the Shades sequence, there are significant differences in the setting and character design. This is reflected in the title: The Maiden of Venice. Carlos Acosta is working in collaboration with set and costume designer Anna Fleischle and lighting designer Lucy Carter, to create a production that promises to be lush, evocative and romantic. 

And while the talented dancers of BRB2 step out on tour - transferring this delightful Ballet Celebration to Sadler’s Wells East for a weekend of sold-out performances - it’s easy to imagine that some of these performers will be joining Birmingham Royal Ballet’s company on stage in the not-too-distant future.

Five Stars

BRB2: Carlos Acosta’s Ballet Celebration was reviewed on Tuesday 6 May by Jessica Clixby at Birmingham Hippodrome. 

The Maiden of Venice will premiere at the Birmingham Hippodrome from 26 September to 3 October 2026.