If the high-brow in you is looking for a way to keep branching out your societal pallet, here's the answer: Black Sabbath: The Ballet.
Yes, a newly written ballet chronicling the life of the heavy metal legends is coming to stages this fall. The work was brought to life by Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi and Birmingham Royal Ballet director Carlos Acosta. It will premier in Birmingham in September, as reported by the BBC.
Iommi told BBC 4 that he hopes Sabbath's history, particularly their early beginnings as poor, working class lads in the UK will resonate with "both our fans and ballet fans" The ballet is said to include eight Sabbath tracks as well as some "new music inspired by the group."
In a press release announcing the performances, Iommi said "I'd never imagined pairing Black Sabbath with ballet but it's got a nice ring to it! I'm looking forward to seeing how this all develops. Black Sabbath have always been innovators and never been predictable, and it doesn't come any more unpredictable than this! I've met with Carlos [Acosta] several times and his enthusiasm is infectious."
Black Sabbath: The Ballet will be performed at the Birmingham Hippodrome from September 23-30, 2023 before moving to Plymouth's Theatre Royal and Sadler's Wells in London.
Carlos Acosta has had the idea of a Black Sabbath musical on his mind for a while, when he arrived in Birmingham in 2020. He'd been a fan of the band ever since a friend turned him on to the group over 20 years ago.
"Black Sabbath is probably Birmingham's biggest export, the most famous – and infamous – cultural entity to ever emerge from the city," Acosta said in a statement. "So I was naturally drawn to the idea of a collaboration between what most people might think are the most unlikely of partners."
Acosta also said "The band's enthusiasm for the project is a huge endorsement. They are putting their trust in us to deliver something completely new and original, and that's quite a responsibility but one that we are beyond excited to take on."
Black Sabbath hung up their boots six years ago, playing their final show in Birmingham on February 4, 2017. While Iommi and singer Ozzy Osbourne linked up in 2022 for a jam at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, just recently Osbourne announced his retirement from the road—meaning this new ballet is likely the closest one can get now to hearing Sabbath songs performed on stage. So, go ahead and embrace it—heck, make a night of it while you're at it!
