Birmingham Royal Ballet: Don Quixote at The Lowry

Image credit: Johan Persson

Upstaged Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reviewer: Rachel Foster

A performance that has not been without bad luck (postponed for two nights due to covid) the cast bounce back undeterred to take to the stage in Salford.

One of ballet director Carlos Acosta’s personal favourites, this traditionally colourful and uplifting tale is a definite antidote to doom and gloom.

This traditionally colourful and uplifting tale is a definite antidote to doom and gloom.

The story centres around Don Quixote, a knight of old, who is characterised by his frequent drifts into a fantasy world and his beloved Dulcinea, the woman of his dreams. He is accompanied on his travels by his trusty servant, Sancho Panza who he meets stealing a chicken.

The two central characters are brought expertly to life by Tom Rogers and Jonathan Payn; delighting in their comical escapades, mounting a large wooden horse with aplomb and nearly knocking each other out with swinging swords in a kind of Baldrick and Black Adder way.

Running alongside that storyline are the lovers Kitri (Momoko Hirata) and Basilio (Mathias Dingman). Dingman brings a proud charm and flair to his character while Hirata’s performance is poised and delightful.

Image credit: Johan Persson

The scenery is stunning – a visual feast – with huge arches towering over the performers and no detail spared. The lighting by Peter Mumford is sumptuous and subtly changes from a grey moody sky or a bright sunny day. Special effects on the windmill scene captivated the audience – with Nina Dunn’s video design, enabling them to visualise the hallucinations of Don Quixote.

There were some hugely memorable scenes – the Garden of the Dryads on another level both visually and technically. The Dryad mischievous and enigmatic danced with thrilling verve.

Also the gypsy campfire and the town square scenes. Where powerful routines captivated and throbbed with energy. Ruffled skirts, Spanish guitars, fans flicking, hands clicking, it had all the excitement and energy expected.

Tim Hatley’s costume designs are a joy, beautiful brocades, vibrant green and pink matador costumes full of attention to detail. Truly the icing on the cake accompanying wonderfully choreographed and spectacularly executed dance segments.

A powerful pulsating performance that sparkled…

This was a treasure to watch – a powerful pulsating performance that sparkled and gave the magic and commitment to perfection. It was a delight to see the dancers still going when the curtain went down as if we really had been transported to the world of Don Quixote in our minds.

-Rachel Foster

Catch Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Don Quixote at The Lowry until Saturday 5 March.