Review: BRB2 Carlos Acosta’s Ballet Celebration, Sadler’s Wells East

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s younger sibling, dedicated to nurturing talented graduates from the world’s finest ballet schools, BRB2 currently consists of ten dancers, complemented by members of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s main company and guest artists.

This program is a celebration of the work and legacy of Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes, who shaped the perception of ballet in the early 20th century. They were a troupe of visionary dancers, musicians, and designers who, having fled Russia, set a new standard for creativity in ballet globally. These works have largely faded from UK stages, making this revival by Acosta particularly exciting. The selected repertoire is challenging and complex, occasionally testing the young dancers’ capabilities. However, it guarantees a thrilling evening that showcases the company’s exceptional range and potential.

It unfolds in two acts, with the first featuring Les Sylphides (1909), a plotless ballet set against a moonlit ruined abbey. It opens with the striking image of the corps de ballet dressed in white gowns adorned with fairy wings. They are ethereal, delicate, and poised, perfectly attuned to Frédéric Chopin‘s music, played live by pianist Jeanette Wong. The dancers demonstrate commendable technical precision, though some moments lack expressiveness. A standout presence is Sophie Walters, whose portrayal in the Mazurka is light, nimble, and captivating, marking her as a promising talent for the future.

The second act features selections from four different pieces, beginning with a pas de deux from Shéhérazade (1910), performed by Andrea Riolo and Ixan Llorca Ferrer. Based on a tale from The Thousand and One Nights, the ballet is set in the harem of the King of India and China. The ballet is described as sensual and erotic, with themes that render it problematic for today’s modern audience. The pairing of Riolo and Ferrer works well, with Ferrer executing impressive jumps and Riolo delivering striking dévelopés. However, the performance lacks emotional depth, conveying an innocent exploration of first love rather than the passionate intensity the piece suggests, likely due to the duo’s youth. 

Le Spectre de La Rose (1911) is a ten-minute ballet about a young woman returning from a ball with a rose, falling asleep and dreaming she is dancing with the rose. Jack Easton, as the rose, truly shines. Easton is a member of the main company, and his maturity and professionalism light up this role, elevating the piece as a whole.

Les Biches (1924), the third segment, is set in the 1920s and offers a glimpse into the leisurely lives of the affluent during a house party in the South of France. Walters again shines as the hostess, infusing each movement with agility and playfulness, while Maïlène Katoch and Tom Hazelby lead a lively pas de deux.

The second half, however, belongs to Alexandra Manuel as The Firebird (1910). Manuel captivates with her sharp movements and striking staccato style as she eludes capture, displaying beautiful, bird-like arm gestures in a stunning red tutu. Her partnership with Marlo Kempsey-Fagg is delightful, and the piece is genuinely breathtaking. They are fully present, the stakes are high, and we, as an audience, are right there with them.

BRB2 showcases an impressive blend of talent and technique as it performs a selection of challenging yet lesser-seen repertoire from Diaghilev’s renowned Ballet Russes. This compelling and dynamic mixed bill not only highlights a rich variety of styles but also underscores the extraordinary virtuosity of the dancers involved. Such a presentation affirms that the future of ballet is indeed bright and filled with promise.

Directed by: Carlos Acosta
Choreogrpahy (Les Sylphides, Shéhérazade, Le Spectre de La Rose & The Firebird) by: Mikhail Fokine
Choreography (Les Biches) by: Bronislava Nijinska
Lighting design by: Johnny Westall-Eyre

BRB2 Carlos Acosta’s Ballet Celebration has completed its run at Sadlers Wells East. It has further dates at Poole (13 and 14 May) and Northampton (17 May).