This week we hosted the world premiere of choreographer Rosie Kay’s brand new work, 10 Soldiers.

The performance saw the first time that the Birmingham Hippodrome Associate Artist had developed a new piece for the main stage. With the support of Birmingham Hippodrome Projects, Rosie expanded her original work, 5 Soldiers, into a brand new production.

In 2008, Rosie Kay joined the 4th Battalion The Rifles, participating in full battle exercises and visiting the National Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. What came of these observations was the award-winning, five-star work 5 Soldiers.

Ten years on, Rosie Kay expanded the work for our large stage with 10 Soldiers – now a full Army squad, 10 Soldiers takes a looks at life in 2019’s British Army including issues of equality and diversity.

Ahead of the performance, a Birmingham Hippodrome participatory project brought our foyers to life with 120 Soldiers. Marking the theatre’s 120th anniversary, 120 participants took part in a performance piece which engulfed the theatre’s foyer spaces with a specially created work once again by Rosie Kay.

After the show, we hosted a post-show discussion chaired by Simon Preston and featuring Rosie Kay, Lieutenant-General Tyrone Urch (Commander Home Command) and Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes with dancers from the 10 Soldiers company. The discussion provided a fascinating insight into not only the creative process, but also life in the army.

Rosie Kay returns with another new work, Fantasia, this September – click here to learn more and book tickets.

120 Soldiers