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Bursting with art, humour and absolute brilliance, it transforms the classic Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Don Quixote, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa, into something that feels both traditional and refreshingly vibrant at LOWRY.
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Don Quixote at LOWRY
Don Quixote LOWRY
While the story is inspired by the novel by Miguel de Cervantes, the ballet places far less focus on the wandering knight himself and instead centres on the lively and often mischievous romance between Kitri and Basilio.
The story
Acosta creates an immersive world of ballet for the audience. Don Quixote arrives in a lively Spanish town, where the real heart of the story unfolds.
Kitri who is the spirited daughter of the innkeeper Lorenzo, is deeply in love with the charming but penniless Basilio. Lorenzo has other ideas for his daughter and hopes she will marry the wealthy yet ridiculous nobleman Gamache.
What follows is a series of clever schemes, disguises and wonderfully comic moments as the young lovers try to outwit those standing in their way.
Throughout the performance, Don Quixote’s romantic ideals linger in the background, occasionally drifting into dreamlike fantasy.
Beatrice Palma as Kitri
One of the highlights of the evening is undoubtedly Beatrice Palma as Kitri. Her performance feels effortlessly captivating.
Palma combines remarkable technical precision with an emotional warmth that makes the character instantly engaging.
Her dancing is fluid, elegant and incredibly controlled, yet never feels mechanical. Instead, every movement carries personality.
Expressive performance
What stood out most was her expressive performance; she captures Kitri’s playful independence while still bringing a softness that adds genuine emotional depth.
Enrique Bejarano Vidal as Basilio
Enrique Bejarano Vidal delivers an equally impressive performance as Basilio. From his first entrance, he commands attention with an easy charm that makes it impossible not to root for him.
Vidal executes demanding choreography with confidence and clarity, but what truly elevates his performance is his partnership with Palma.
Natural and believable chemistry
LOWRY Don Quixote
Their chemistry feels natural and believable, and the lifts they perform together appear so smooth and weightless that Kitri seems to glide through the air.
Samara Downs offers a striking contrast as Mercedes, bringing a completely different energy to the stage.
Where Kitri is romantic and playful, Downs gives Mercedes a bold and commanding presence. Her performance is fierce and full of attitude, creating a character that feels both powerful and alluring.
Lachan Monaghan as Espada
Lachan Monaghan as Espada matches that intensity perfectly. His performance is strong, confident and full of dramatic flair.
There is a real physical power in his dancing, and his stage presence adds a sense of excitement whenever he appears.
The dynamic between Monaghan and Downs is particularly engaging, their partnership crackling with tension and passion that adds another layer to the production.
Exhilarating choreography
The choreography throughout the ballet is exhilarating. Acosta blends classical ballet technique with vibrant Spanish and Latin-inspired movement, creating something that feels dynamic and full of life.
The result is a production that honours the traditional ballet while also feeling fresh and accessible.
Visually impressive performance
Don Quixote LOWRY
Visually, the production is equally impressive. The set design beautifully recreates a sunlit Spanish town, with towering brick walls and rustic architecture that immediately transports the audience into another place and time.
It feels immersive without ever overwhelming the dancers.
Don Quixote’s hallucination scene
One particularly memorable moment occurs during Don Quixote’s hallucination scene involving the famous windmill.
As the knight’s imagination takes hold, the windmill blades appear to transform into giant hands reaching across the stage.
It’s a striking theatrical effect that perfectly captures the surreal and dreamlike quality of his fantasy.
Richly detailed costumes
The costumes also add to the sense of spectacle. Richly detailed and full of vibrant colours, they evoke the elegance of the nineteenth century while enhancing the energy and personality of the characters on stage.
A joyful celebration of dance and storytelling
By the end of the performance, the entire production feels like a joyful celebration of dance and storytelling.
With exceptional performances, thrilling choreography and beautiful visual design, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Don Quixote offers an evening that is both uplifting and hugely entertaining.
Don’t miss it
Running until Saturday, 7th March at LOWRY, you don’t want to miss it.
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