CARLOS ACOSTA

Carlos Acosta has never been one to shy away from bold moves. Since taking the helm at Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2020, the former Royal Ballet Principal has brought fresh audiences to the company, with a range of accessible works with wide appeal beyond the typical ballet-goer. Black Sabbath – The Ballet is perhaps the most successful example of this, the heavy metal inspired show now returns for a UK wide tour, two years after it first premiered at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Throughout our chat, Acosta remains excited about the prospect of bringing ballet to new audiences, but it’s the young talent of the company that also clearly energizes him. Here he also discusses some stars of the future and why he may be tempted to return to the stage himself.

Interview by Vikki Jane VILE

Black Sabbath is returning for the new season. Why are you bringing it back, and how has it connected with audiences?

Black Sabbath was a huge success for us. It’s a full-length ballet with no clear narrative, but it sold almost as many tickets as Swan Lake. When we went on sale seven months before opening night, the production wasn’t even finished and it still sold out. Around 60% of those tickets came from the world of heavy metal who had never been to ballet before. That was the whole idea: to reach new audiences.

Marc Hayward & Birmingham Royal Ballet Company in Black Sabbath © Johann Persson