University takes Centre Stage in China

The University of Birmingham is to support Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) as they embark on a major tour of China this month, in order to raise the profile of the City to new audiences. The University is one of the supporting sponsors of the BRB tour, which will take place across three major cities in China. Performances and events will be staged in Guangzhou (a sister city of Birmingham), Beijing and Shanghai. The tour is the latest development in a longstanding partnership between the University and BRB, who have delivered a Master's Degree in Dance for more than a decade. A number of graduates from the course - including Chinese principal dancer Lei Zhao - will perform in BRB's touring productions of Beauty and the Beast and Romeo and Juliet. The Royal Ballet Sinfonia, the Orchestra of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, will also delight audiences with concerts in Beijing and Shanghai. The team will be joined by representatives from the University.