Review by Sarah
Ticket was gifted in return for an honest review.
The reimagined Don Quixote, performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, has opened at Birmingham Hippodrome. Whether an established ballet audience member or an introduction to live ballet, this show wowed the audience with audible gasps. The technical brilliance, the vivacious dancing, and the colour of the costumes all come together as a delight.
As with many ballets, the storyline is slight, yet this ballet is full of comedic fun, dramatic characterisation and enchanting backdrops. As the curtain raises we arrive in a Spanish town and are introduced to our leading character Don Quixote and his trusty servant Sancho Panza. Don Quixote spends his life with his head in books, reading about brave knights and beautiful ladies that he begins to believe he is living as a knight with his beloved Dulcinea and heads out on a chivalrous journey with a fruit bowl on his head had a wooden barrel for a horse.
During Act 2, we meet Kitri, a young lady who has fallen in love with a barber, Basilio. We watch as Kitri portrays a coy young girl, albeit her personality shining through against the confidence of Basilio filling the stage. The ensemble numbers in which we meet the townsfolk are impressive. The energy on stage with tambourines, synchronised steps and joyful cheers on stage draw us into the Spanish town, we are taken on a journey as the young couple run away together, through a gypsy community with a captivating campfire scene, a magical garden in which we meet the Queen of the Dryads, until we return to our Spanish town, all whilst being followed by Kitri’s disapproving Father, Lorenzo and comedic sidekick Gamache.
The leading characters Kitri and Basilio brought passion and vibrancy to the stage, impressing us with the portrayal of passionate drama and incredible technical steps. The character Don Quixote has purposefully underwhelming stage presence with limited dancing, and at times was invisible on stage to the audience eyes. Nevertheless, the Spanish-influenced costumes are eye catching, shimmering under the lighting, and bring personality to the dancing.
The orchestra delights us with a full brass sound in the dark mysterious times and the sparkling magic of the enchanted wood was brought to life with the high woodwind and harp. The tight synchronisation of dancers and musicians they performed as one. The dramatic pauses within the music to emphasise the dancers' leaps and high kicks created anticipation leading to contentment. The lighting brings life to the set and a firm memory is the enchanting scene of the magic garden.
Carlos Acosta’s Don Quixote demonstrates that ballet is an art form that is accessible for all. The joy and amazement it brings when music, drama, dance, lighting, costume design and set all come together as one.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Carlos Acosta's Don Quixote runs at the Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 21st February 2026. The show tours until Saturday 25th April 2026. Tickets are available from https://www.brb.org.uk/shows/don-quixote-2026
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