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Christopher Wheeldon’s new full-length ballet brings the magic realism of this famous modern Mexican novel to The Royal Ballet.

★★★★“a sprawling, sensual feast” The Telegraph

★★★★“Wheeldon choreographs Mexican novelist Laura Esquivel’s 1989 tale of food and forbidden passions into a fulfilling ballet full of buoyant movement and visually arresting coups de theatre…delectable take on a magic-realist love story” The Guardian

A modern Mexican classic of magic realism provides the basis for The Royal Ballet’s new full-length work, reuniting Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon with the creative team who transformed Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Winter’s Tale into dance, composer Joby Talbot and designer Bob Crowley.

★★★★ “The Royal Ballet’s dramatic saga weaves familial jealousy into stylish narrative. Glowing stage pictures are full of atmosphere, while a charismatic cast bring warmth to this ambitious work” The Independent

The ballet is inspired by Laura Esquivel’s novel – a captivating family saga where the central character’s emotions spill out through cooking to influence everyone around her in startling and dramatic ways. In this co-production with American Ballet Theatre, Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra also acts as musical consultant for Talbot’s newly commissioned score, and Wheeldon has worked closely with Esquivel to reshape her richly layered story into an entertaining and engrossing new ballet.

A co-production between The Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theatre

Broadcast: Thursday 19 January 2023, 7:15pm (recorded on 9 June 2022)

Running time: 3 hours and 10 minutes (including one interval)

Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon

Music: Joby Talbot

Designer: Bob Crowley

Lighting designer: Natasha Katz

Video designer: Luke Halls

Music consultant: Alondra de la Parra

Inspired by the book by: Laura Esquivel

Associate set designer: Jaimie Todd

Associate costume designer: Lynette Mauro

Conducted by: Alondra de la Parra

 Tita: Francesca Hayward

Pedro: Marcelino Sambé

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House