Birmingham Royal Ballet's summer season 2008 continues with David Bintley and Galina Samsova's production of Giselle. After an absence of almost five years, the full-length ballet returns to the Hippodrome stage from 25 - 28 June 2008. The triple bill Stravinsky: the real deal, celebrates the music of the great ballet composer and consists of three contrasting works.

Birmingham Royal Ballet this week announces its 2008/09 season for performances at the Birmingham Hippodrome, aiming to present a selection of old favourites plus a number of ballets that have 'been away too long'. The season will combine full-length popular classics with heritage works, offering a varied and challenging selection of ballets with wide-ranging appeal.

Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal Dancer, Chi Cao, is to appear in a film adaptation of Li Cunxin's bestselling autobiography, Mao's Last Dancer. Chi, who has been cast as the adult Li, will appear alongside dancers from The Australian Ballet and Hong Kong Ballet in the film, which is to be directed by the internationally acclaimed Bruce Beresford.

Freefall Dance Company will celebrate its fifth birthday this year and will mark the occasion with a full evenings entertainment. On 11 April, the Company will perform Freefall Five at the Patrick Centre within the Birmingham Hippodrome. The evening will feature five new and established repertoire pieces that demonstrate the versatility and talents of the performers and creators.

Birmingham Royal Ballet will present its spectacular production of 'Swan Lake' at Grand Opera House, Belfast from Wednesday 6 - Saturday 9 February 2008.

Birmingham Royal Ballet returns to the Hippodrome stage during February with two great dance programmes: Swan Lake, arguably the most famous ballet of all time, and All That Jazz – a triple bill of jazz ballets that includes David Bintley's latest jazz creation Take Five to the music of Dave Brubeck.

In January 2008 Birmingham Royal Ballet travels to Japan to perform two full-length ballets, David Bintley's Beauty and the Beast and Sir Peter Wright's production of Coppélia. This tour marks Birmingham Royal Ballet’s first visit to Japan since 1995. On this occasion the Company performed Swan Lake and Coppélia.

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s spectacular production of The Nutcracker will return to its home theatre in Birmingham from Friday 30 November to Thursday 13 December.

Birmingham Royal Ballet returns to Sadler's Wells stage during October with two thrilling dance programmes. Following an absence of nearly ten years, Edward II returns to Birmingham Royal Ballet's repertoire and the Company is also pleased to announce the acquisition of two heritage ballets: Marius Petipa's Paquita and Frederick Ashton's Daphnis and Chloë.

Birmingham Royal Ballet are delighted that Robert Tewsley returns to the Company following his guest appearance in David Bintley's Cyrano earlier this year. British dancer Robert studied at the Royal Ballet School before dancing as a Principal with the New York City Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, the Royal Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet, for whom Edward II was first created.

Birmingham Royal Ballet returns to the Hippodrome stage during September and October with two thrilling dance programmes. Edward II returns to Birmingham Royal Ballet's repertoire and the Company is pleased to announce the acquisition of two heritage ballets : Marius Petipa's Paquita and Frederick Ashton's Daphnis and Chloë.

A new, more powerful engine with diesel particulate filter (cDPF) and 108-litre fuel tank options together with an increased payload, are announced today.