Spring Classics Come to Storyhouse

Beautiful ballet, stirring opera and contemporary dance are part of an unmissable cultural programme at Storyhouse this spring.

Theatregoers can look forward to the Storyhouse debut for the acclaimed Moscow City Ballet, alongside a return for English Touring Opera and the talented all-male dance company BalletBoyz.

The classics start this month with a double bill from Moscow City Ballet, presenting two of the world's best loved ballets in classic Russian style and accompanied by a full orchestra.

Set to Tchaikovsky's magical score, The Nutcracker will be performed on Thursday 21 February and Friday 22 February 2019, at 7.30pm each evening. The ballet tells the timeless story of Clara, who is whisked away on a fairytale adventure to the Land of Flowers by her Nutcracker Prince.

Moscow City Ballet present Victor Smirnov-Golovanov's original interpretation, and features stunning costumes and sumptuous sets. This unmissable treat for all the family is the perfect introduction to Russian classical ballet.

The Nutcracker will be followed by the Moscow City Ballet performance of The Sleeping Beauty on Saturday 23 February 2019, with performances at 3pm and 7.30pm.

The Sleeping Beauty is the captivating tale of Princess Aurora, her gallant Prince, the Lilac Fairy, and evil fairy Carabosse who casts a spell on the princess. The curse can only be broken by true love's kiss. The ballet features an enchanting and romantic score by Tchaikovsky, and dazzling choreography performed by some of Russia's most talented dancers.

March sees the Olivier Award-winning English Touring Opera make a welcome return to Storyhouse following a successful visit last spring, this time with a season of Kings and Queens in the battle for love, loyalty and power.

The company will perform Macbeth at 7.30pm on Friday 15 March 2019, and Idomeneo at 7.30pm on Saturday 16 March 2019, with both featuring a large chorus and live orchestra.

The witches have a prophecy - Macbeth will be King, but the crown comes at a terrible price of betrayal, murder, and revenge. The blood-soaked path to power is followed by two characters who are among the very finest created by Shakespeare.

Grant Doyle appears as Macbeth, with Madeleine Pierard as Lady Macbeth. The opera is directed by James Dacre, conducted by Gerry Cornelius, and will be sung in English with English surtitles. Suitable for audiences aged 12 upwards. There is a pre-show talk at 6.30pm before the performance.

Idomeneo explores royalty, high ideals and deep emotions, and remains one the greatest of Mozart's 'opera seria' (serious operas).

Returning from the Trojan War and caught in the midst of a storm, King Idomeneo promises the raging seas that he will sacrifice the first person he meets in return for his safe passage. But cruelly, the first person he encounters is his only son, Idamante. The rivalry between the princesses Ilia and Elettra for the heart of Idamante, coupled with a king's ill-fated promise provide a rich, emotional drama and unforgettable music.

Idomeneo is directed by English Touring Opera's General Director James Conway, conducted Jonathan Peter Kenny, and sung in Italian with English surtitles. Suitable for audiences aged 12 upwards. There is a pre-show talk at 6.30pm before the performance.

Applauded across the globe for their stunning live performances, films and television appearances, BalletBoyz return to Storyhouse on Thursday 4 April 2019 with two new works dance enthusiasts, Them & Us are both set to original scores by world-class composers. The performance starts at 7.30pm.

Them is the choreographic debut of the company dancers, under the direction of Artistic Directors Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, and is set to a score by emerging composer Charlotte Harding.

Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon presents Us, with inspiration from his beautiful and critically acclaimed duet which featured in the company's last show, Fourteen Days. With an extended score by cult singer/songwriter Keaton Henson, this new work explores the possibilities of before, during and after.

Storyhouse Artistic Director Alex Clifton said: "At Storyhouse we're committed to creating a diverse offer for our audiences. And this season we're delighted to present a strong programme of opera and dance, both from companies new to us and also returning friends.

"Tchaikovsky's enchanting classics are a great introduction to ballet, while BalletBoyz were a big hit with dance enthusiasts when they visited last spring so we can't wait to see what they have in store this time. English Touring Opera are presenting a pair of works which are brilliantly powerful and dramatic."

Tickets for all spring season shows at Storyhouse are now on sale.

Storyhouse has a dynamic pricing policy on the majority of shows, ensuring the earlier you book your tickets, guarantees the best seats at the lowest price.

The online version of the Storyhouse spring season 2019 brochure can be viewed by visiting https://issuu.com/storyhouselive/docs/storyhouse_spring_19

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