The return of Black Sabbath - The Ballet performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s 2025/26 season gets off to a thundering start this autumn as the company return to Birmingham Hippodrome, their home theatre, with the acclaimed Black Sabbath – The Ballet from 18 – 27 September prior to a UK tour.

Premiered at Birmingham Hippodrome in 2023 to packed houses it has since enjoyed international tours in Europe and, more recently, in the USA to great acclaim.

The production features brand-new audio interviews with Black Sabbath band members, voices such as Sharon Osbourne as well as ballet and heavy metal fans across the globe. The sound has also been revised, sharpened and turned up to full volume for this electric night of dance and rock that audiences have never experienced before.

Composer Christopher Austin is the mastermind behind the classical reimagining of some of Black Sabbath’s most iconic songs, played live at every performance by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Tony Award-winning Christopher worked closely with Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi on the score, creating full orchestrations of legendary Black Sabbath tracks alongside new orchestral works inspired by their music. The orchestra is joined by guitarist Marc Hayward who plays live on stage alongside the dancers at every show.

Black Sabbath co-founder, lead guitarist and co-songwriter Tony Iommi said “Black Sabbath have always been innovators and never been predictable, and it doesn’t come any more unpredictable than this!”

The eight Black Sabbath tracks featured are: Paranoid (Paranoid, 1970); Ironman (Paranoid, 1970); War Pigs (Paranoid, 1970); Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath, 1970); Solitude (Master of Reality, 1971); Orchid (Master of Reality, 1971); Laguna Sunrise (Vol 4, 1972) and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, 1973). 

As part of BRB’s opening season at Birmingham Hippodrome BRB’s Freefall Dance Company will perform on the Birmingham Hippodrome main stage for the very first time with the world premiere of Luminous - a special 5-minute Curtain Raiser which took its early inspiration from both Black Sabbath’s familiar catalogue of music and Elgar’s Enigma Variations.

Luminous features music specially composed by Freefall Dance Company's musician Richard Syner and produced by Kevin Earley from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. The music was recorded at Rosewood studios near London and played by, Matt Isaac, Justin Quinn, Marcus Pritchard, Matt Senior, Richard Syner and Kevin Earley. 

Freefall comprises Birmingham Royal Ballet staff, freelance artists and teaching assistants, who enable a group of ten highly gifted dancers to express themselves and their individualities without the restraint of their learning disabilities.

Former BRB Soloist Lee Fisher, Freefall’s Artistic Director, and Co-Founder said “Luminous will be a true first for Freefall who, after over 23 years of building a loyal and committed audience through their performances at the Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio, in addition to some other more unconventional spaces, will get their chance to showcase their talents for the very first time on the Hippodrome’s main stage.” 

Freefall Dance Company’s only performance of Luminous will receive its world premiere on Friday 26 September 7.30pm followed by BRB’s performance of Black Sabbath – The Ballet.

Finally, ahead of the opening of Black Sabbath – The Ballet, BRB Supporters are invited to an exclusive talk with Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi and BRB Director Carlos Acosta. This special event will take place on 8 September and will be available online. For further information on becoming a Supporter and a list of forthcoming events please go to www.brb.org.uk

Black Sabbath – The Ballet opens at Birmingham Hippodrome from 18 – 27 September before commencing a UK wide tour. 

For further information, tickets and how to book please go to www.brb.org.uk

BRB acknowledges the generous support for Freefall Dance Company received from The Eveson Trust, Hortons' Estate, The Rowlands Trust, William A Cadbury Charitable Trust, The Blakebank Trust, anonymous trusts, and all other supporters of Freefall.