IT is the hottest ticket in town – the Black Sabbath ballet’s run in hometown Birmingham sold out faster than the heavy metal icons’ Paranoid rock riff, with extra dates following suit.

And there remain only a few tickets for the production’s visits to Plymouth and London such has been high demand for the unlikely collaboration between the band and Birmingham Royal Ballet.

But the good news for fans is that the company is opening up a rehearsal for Black Sabbath – The Ballet in a special one-off Facebook Live stream next Wednesday, September 6.

Carlos Acosta and Sofia Liñares / © Perou

Those visiting the company’s Facebook page at 7pm BST will get a rare opportunity to look behind the scenes, watch the dancers going through their paces and learn more about the production.

The full-length three-act ballet is being billed as a spectacular show featuring thrilling dance alongside full orchestrations of legendary Sabbath tracks such as Paranoid and Iron Man.

There will also be new orchestral works inspired by the band’s music, performed live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, with the addition of electric guitar and drums onstage.

Carlos Acosta and Tony Iommi / © Drew Tommons

Birmingham Royal Ballet director Carlos Acosta and Sabbath founder guitar hero Tony Iommi have worked together closely on the project, which was first mooted back in pre-pandemic 2020.

Black Sabbath – The Ballet runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from September 23 to 30; Theatre Royal Plymouth from October 12 to 14 and Sadler’s Wells, London from October 18 to 21. Check here for limited ticket availability and returns.

Main Image: Dancer Sofia Liñares © Perou