BRB2: Birmingham Royal Ballet's Investment In The Future

BRB2: Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Investment in the Future

Birmingham Royal Ballet has recently announced BRB2, its new company made up of young ballet talent from all of the world.

Selected by BRB’s Artistic Director Carlos Acosta and Dominic Antonucci, BRB’s Assistant Director, the founding members of BRB2 are

Oscar Kempsey-Fagg (UK)
Mason King (UK/New Zealand)
Frieda Kaden (Germany)
Mailene Katoch (France)
Jack Easton (USA)

These 18-22 year-old dancers will be the pioneers in this initiative which consists of a two-year performance program. BRB2 members will continue their vigorous training as well as gain valuable performance experience including their own tour. In the inaugural edition, they will joined by dancers from the main company, Birmingham Royal Ballet (Enrique Bejarano Vidal, Olivia Chang Clarke, Regan Hutsell, Sofia Linares, Eric Pinto Cata, Lucy Waine and soloist Riku Ito).

Upon completion of their first year, the current BRB2 artists will be united with the incoming first year members, thus creating an ongoing cycle of talent to showcase in the UK.

The program is inspired by Dutch National Ballet Junior Company and ABT Studio Company.

"It is with great pleasure that I present my Classical Selection and introduce you to Birmingham Royal Ballet’s rising stars in our exciting new company, BRB2. Since arriving at BRB, I have wanted to develop a young company. A company with its own artistic identity in which some of our finest young dancers would not only have the opportunity to take on lead roles of their own, but which would also provide a structure for brilliant young dancers graduating from ballet schools around the world to gain real-life experience with a touring ballet company. With the support of David and Mary Laing, The Kirby Laing Foundation and The Linbury Trust I am thrilled that we can bring this dream to life in 2023! BRB has a strong track record in launching the careers of some of the world’s most renowned dancers, who have developed their skills at BRB and then gone on to become global stars. BRB is proud that Darcey Bussell, Leanne Benjamin and Miyako Yoshida, amongst others, had their first professional jobs at Birmingham Royal Ballet. BRB2 will help the company give opportunities to more of the brightest stars of the future."

Carlos Acosta

Artistic Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet

BRB2 Classical Selection Trailer

BRB2 2023 Tour Program

Pas de deux from Rhapsody by Frederick Ashton
La Sylphide by August Bournonville
Pas de deux from Swan Lake
The Dying Swans by Carlos Acosta (inspired by Fokine’s The Dying Swan)
Pas de deux from Diana and Actaeon by Marius Petipa
End of Time by Ben Stevenson
A Buenos Aires, by Gustavo Mollajoli
Je ne regrette rien by Ben Van Cauwenbergh
Les Bourgeois by Ben Van Cauwenbergh
Pas de deux from Carmen by Carlos Acosta
Dominus by Will Tuckett Nisi
Majisimo by Jorges Garcia

BRB2 2023 Tour Schedule

Northampton Royal & Derngate
25 April 7.30pm – full live orchestra

Theatre Royal Nottingham
28 April 7.30pm; 29 April 2.30pm & 7.30pm

New Theatre Peterborough
3 & 4 May 7.30pm

The Linbury Theatre, London
13 & 14 June 7.30pm

Wolverhampton Grand
24 & 25 June 7.30pm

Featured Photo of BRB2 founding members Mason King, Jack Easton, Mailene Katoch , Frieda Kaden, and Oscar Kempsey-Fagg with Carlos Acosta. Photo by Drew Tommonss.