Having only moved to Birmingham just a matter of weeks ago I’m what you might consider a bit of a Brummie virgin – there’s a whole load of places I’m yet to visit and explore!

I’m slowly but surely seeing what the city has to offer though and most recently, I got to experience a night with the Leading Ladies network at Birmingham Hippodrome for Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB)’s performance of The Nutcracker, on behalf of Park Regis Birmingham.

This was my first time not only at Birmingham Hippodrome and at the ballet, but also at Leading Ladies – the theatre’s professional, yet glamorous network for like-minded businesswomen to meet in a relaxed environment whilst enjoying spectacular productions and fun-filled events.

Park Regis – one of our lovely clients at Reeves PR, where I work – is proudly affiliated with Birmingham Hippodrome and is sponsoring the gala dinner for the theatre’s eagerly-awaited production of Matilda The Musical next year.

There was fizz flowing on arrival and we got to sample the delicious food at the theatre before the show and we also got to hear about the fantastic work that Birmingham Hippodrome does in the local community. I had no idea that the theatre is in fact a charity and that all revenues go back into the organisation to fund performances, community work and transformational learning projects in the arts and culture world.

After indulging in some great food and conversation, it was finally time for the main event we were all waiting for – The Nutcracker.

As mentioned, I’d never been to the ballet before so I wasn’t sure whether I’d like The Nutcracker or not. But seeing as it’s a world-famous production by Sir Peter Wright – acclaimed as one of the best – I naturally had high expectations.

Well now I see what all the fuss is about. The Nutcracker is an incredibly festive show filled with Christmas spirit and magical charm. From the beautiful costumes to the no-expenses-spared sets, it’s what I can only describe as a spectacle to be seen.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still no expert on ballet, but watching the BRB performers move so elegantly across the stage, and make it look so effortless, left me spellbound from the word go. That, coupled with the enchanting score from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, had every audience member fixated.

If like me, you’re a new woman in the city looking to meet like-minded professionals while enjoying some fabulous productions and contributing to the brilliant charity work done by the Hippodrome, Leading Ladies is a great place to start!

Huge thanks to the Leading Ladies and Birmingham Hippodrome for such a wonderful evening.

Sian Young, PR Account Manager at Clive Reeves