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Birmingham Royal Ballet has announced a major UK tour of Carlos Acosta’s acclaimed production of Don Quixote.

Opening at Birmingham Hippodrome on 12 February 2026 the tour will then visit Salford, Plymouth, Southampton and London’s Sadler’s Wells. The revival follows the company’s hugely successful autumn 2025 tour of Black Sabbath – The Ballet, which played to more than 42,000 people.

The upcoming revival also sits alongside Acosta’s previously announced 2026 UK tour of Carmen, which begins at London’s Richmond Theatre on 8 April 2026 and his Cuban inspired production of The Nutcracker – Nutcracker in Havana which is now on a national tour.

Don Quixote UK Tour

Birmingham Royal Ballet, the UK’s leading touring company, will present Don Quixote across four venues, beginning with a nine-day season at Birmingham Hippodrome (12–21 February). The production then moves to The Lowry, Salford (5–7 March), Theatre Royal Plymouth (18–21 March), Mayflower Theatre Southampton (15–18 April) and Sadler’s Wells, London (23–25 April).

In a highlight for Birmingham audiences, National Ballet of Canada Principal Dancers Siphesihle November and Genevieve Penn Nabity will appear as guest artists. Penn Nabity dances with Mathias Dingman on 12 February (7.30pm) and 14 February (2pm), while November appears with Momoko Hirata on 13 February (7.30pm) and 15 February (1pm).

Acosta’s sunny, exuberant production premiered in 2022 to audience and critical acclaim. It was later filmed for cinema and broadcast on BBC Television, where it has been seen by over 95,000 viewers. Set to Ludwig Minkus’ vibrant score, Don Quixote introduces audiences to Cervantes’ idealistic knight as he embarks on a whimsical quest filled with romance, humour and adventure, accompanied by Kitri, Basilio and the loyal Sancho Panza.

Carlos Acosta said: “It is a real joy to be reviving Don Quixote for UK audiences in 2026, bringing the heat of the Spanish sunshine to kick-start spring time. This production features everything from daring dance and cape-twirling matadors to beautiful costumes and stunning scenery.

“As always, Birmingham Royal Ballet remains committed to bringing the very best of ballet to venues across the UK – ensuring audiences across the country have access to leading and entertaining dance from some of the world’s finest artists, including our guest dancers from National Ballet of Canada, a very special treat for our Birmingham audiences.”

Don Quixote UK Tour dates

  • Birmingham Hippodrome
    12 – 21 Feb 2026
  • The Lowry, Salford
    5 – 7 Mar 2026
  • Theatre Royal Plymouth
    18 – 21 Mar 2026
  • Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
    15 – 18 Apr 2026
  • Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London
    23 – 25 Apr 2026

More about Don Quixote

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Main photo: Carlos Acosta's Don Quixote - Birmingham Royal Ballet, 2022. Photo via PR.

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