Birmingham Royal Ballet announces the world premiere of Carlos Acosta's The Maiden of Venice

The Maiden of Venice, Carlos Acosta’s groundbreaking reimagining of the 19th-century classic, La Bayadère, will receive its world premiere at Birmingham Hippodrome in September 2026.

The creation of this production is an important development for Birmingham Royal Ballet. The Company has never had a full-length La Bayadère in the repertory and performing it will showcase the virtuosity of the current dancers. 

La Bayadère is extremely important in Ballet history, not least because of the incredibly beautiful and technically challenging Kingdom of the Shades scene. In recent times, the original narrative has become problematic, in both its themes and its recognised cultural appropriation. By moving the time and place from ancient India to Renaissance Venice, these sensitivities are removed in favour of the universal messages and richness of this precious work of art. This new setting is being brought to life through set and costume designer Anna Fleischle’s stunning designs with lighting design by Lucy Carter and new arrangements of Minkus’s score by Graham Sutherland.

Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, Carlos Acosta said: ‘I am so thrilled to announce this new production. Since arriving at BRB five years ago I have always had a vision of re-making La Bayadère. It is such an important ballet. - to me personally, but also to the sector and to audiences. I understand why it has become problematic, but I feel passionate about not allowing it to be buried or to be, in effect, cancelled. There are so many reasons why moving it to Renaissance Venice works so well for the storytelling, and I am so happy that my Company of amazing dancers will have the opportunity to perform this new version.’

Production Set and Costume Designer, Anna Fleischle said: 'It is such a gift to be working with Carlos on a bold re-imagination of this piece. Crafting a vision of Venice - its haunted beauty and mystery illuminated by the ever-shifting presence of water, light, and reflection.’

Admiral Sandro returns victorious to Venice to prepare for his marriage to the daughter of the Doge. He learns that his childhood love, Nicola, is about to become a nun, and when they meet they declare their love for each other. Nicola’s guardian Bishop Olivolo overhears their declaration. The Bishop is also in love with Nicola and he vows to destroy Sandro. 

A sumptuously reimagined new production by Carlos Acosta, The Maiden of Venice tells a powerful story of love, lust, betrayal and murder and set and costumes are designed by multi-award-winning designer Anna Fleischle, an internationally renowned creator of designs for theatre, opera and dance. Her design for Hangmen won her the Olivier Award, Evening Standard Award and Critics’ Circle Award for Best Design, and she was nominated for a Tony Award for its Broadway run. Anna will realise Carlos’s vision for the stage with beautiful costumes and stunning sets, specially designed for touring.

Lucy Carter is a multi-award-winning lighting designer and light artist. Her extensive work for theatre, ballet, dance, musical theatre and opera has led her to work with some of the top directors, choreographers and creative teams around the world. Lucy’s lighting will enhance and bind together the sets, costumes and choreography, giving the work a vital cloak of life, mood and atmosphere.

Gavin Sutherland has already started work on arranging Minkus’s score to enable the Royal Ballet Sinfonia to soar from the orchestra pit. Sutherland is a conductor, composer, arranger and pianist, with a wealth of experience in the ballet world. He has conducted for Birmingham Royal Ballet and collaborated with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia on many occasions. Currently Principal Guest Conductor with English National Ballet, he received the Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Creative Contribution in 2020. Gavin will help Carlos realise his vision by adapting and re-orchestrating much of Ludwig Minkus’s original 19th-century score.

The Maiden of Venice will premiere at the Birmingham Hippodrome from 26 September to 3 October 2026. The official opening night will be Tuesday 29 September. Tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 20 May. Further dates to be announced.

The Maiden of Venice will be made possible thanks to support from Oak Foundation, Aud Jebsen and Cockayne Grants for the Arts, a Donor Advised Fund, held at The Prism Charitable Trust.