⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Captivating, passionate, full of strength and skill. What a ballet!
I had been excited about seeing Don Quixote for a while. I had seen the photographs shared for the upcoming performance and I was in love before I had even seen the dancers move. Birmingham Royal Ballet will always be my favourite Ballet company, the talent on the stage is always phenomenal and this performance wowed, every single scene, every single talented dancer and performer on the stage captivated the audience. I fell in love with ballet all over again last night. I hadn’t fallen out of love with it, but somehow, I’m unsure how, I loved it all the more last night.
Don Quixote is based on the famous Spanish novel by Miguel de Cervantes, ‘The Ingenious Gentleman Sir Quixote of La Mancha’, or ‘Don Quixote’ for short. The novel was originally published in two parts, the first in 1605 and the second in 1615 and is often referred to as not only the first modern novel ever written but the greatest too. Carlos Acosta’s newly created production showcases just how good this novel is. I am positive Miguel de Cervantes would have been overwhelmed with the beauty of this ballet.
The story follows Don Quixote (Tom Rogers) who after reading a book of adventures, suddenly thinks he is the successor of the medieval knights, errant on a quest to serve his imaginary Lady, Dulcinea (Yvette Knight). Along with his squire Sancho Panza (Kit Holder) he sets out in search of chivalrous adventure which has the audience laughing a number of times. The ballet focuses on one particular tale in the book, the story of young lovers Kitri (Momoko Hirata) and Basilio (Mathias Dingman) whose hopes to marry risk being thwarted by Kitri’s father Lorenzo (Valentin Olovyannikov) who has other plans. But will the big believer of true love, Don Quixote help the young couple find happiness?
I don’t want to spoil the story for you but I do want to tell you just how good this ballet is, as everyone should go to see this ballet. It is a Rom-Com in the form of ballet. Who could ever turn that down?
With 300 costumes, 60 dancers, 60 musicians in the pit and a set design with scenes that seem to miraculously change when you blink it has everything. The bright colours, score by Ludwig Minkus, energy and the truly beautiful, awe-inspiring Wedding pas de deux performed by Momoko Hirata and Mathias Dingman make this my new favourite ballet.
Momoko Hirata and Mathias Dingman play the loved-up couple incredibly well. You have two exceptionally talented ballet dancers here performing pas de deux after pas de deux with such poise, strength and talent. The one hand hold in the air saw my jaw on the floor. It was great to see another favourite of mine, Brandon Lawrence taking the role of Espada. Owning the stage with flawless movements, demonstrating superb technical skill.
Another stand out performance for me was from the Fandango Couple played by Sofia Liñares and Alexander Yap. Sass, sexiness and sensational choreography.
Overall, a performance that blew me away by everyone on the stage. Every single person on the stage was phenomenal. Carlos, you smashed it!
If you would like to see this phenomenal ballet that had a standing ovation by many, you can get tickets here: https://www.brb.org.uk/
Disclaimer: We were invited along to the press showing. All thoughts and opinions are entirely our own.