Birmingham Barbenheimer: World premieres of Black Sabbath Ballet & Sinatra Musical held on same night

Barbie and Oppenheimer both released on the same day to much fanfare and competition. In Birmingham we also have two world premieres arriving together this weekend.

The first ever showing of Black Sabbath: The Ballet is taking place at Birmingham Hippodrome on Saturday night (September 23) at the same time as Sinatra the Musical will premiere at The Rep theatre. From heavy metal to the swinging beats of the Big Band easy listening melodies - there’s quite a contrast - just like when the Baribe movie launched in cinemas at the same times as Oppenheimer.

Tony Iommi has been working on the heavy metal dance show with Birmingham Royal Ballet which has sold out and created quite a buzz among music fans. Meanwhile Frank Sinatra’s youngest daughter, Tina, has been working on the first ever musical about her father’s life. The permiere has also sold out - although there are tickets available for performances throughout next week.

But which show is more popular with Brummies? We visited the city to find out which live theatre show Brummies want to see first, Black Sabbath: The Ballet - which is opening at Birmingham Hippodrome - or Sinatra the Musical - which will be on at The Rep.

Jasmine says: “I would go with Black Sabbath. Definitely. And also, it seems I’d be very interested to see how they turn Black Sabbath into a ballet! I feel like tthey’re two very different things. But yeah, I think I would definitely say that - I’d bring my dad. He’s the biggest Black Sabbath fan.”

Sophie says: “I probably go for Frank Sinatra because I prefer his music, but I’d also love to see Black Sabbath just because I think it’d be hilarious to see how they’ve actually managed to incorporate that.”

Darren says: “To be honest, I’ve not heard anything about it. But having heavy metal with ballet, that sounds really innovative. And although heavy metal is not my genre, I’d be happy to find out a little bit more about it. But if I had a choice directly, it would be Frank Sinatra. Because of my age.”

Joe says: “Probably Black Sabbath, I’m in a rock band myself. So that immediately kind of pulls the heartstrings. So yeah, I think that would probably be my choice. But Frank Sinatra I have a lot of appreciation for his voice. It’s probably something I’d be interested in as well. But yeah, Black Sabbath with the guitars… Yeah, it’d be interesting to see a ballet take on it, I suppose. But yeah, definitely.”

Birmingham Hippodrome will be showing the world premiere of the Black Sabbath Ballet on Saturday, September 23. The show has been created with the band with guitarist Tony Iommi getting a glimpse of the production in rehearsals. The show is running at the theatre until Sautrday, September 30.

Meanwhile The Rep will be showing the world premiere of Sinatra The Musical from Saturday September 23 to Saturday October 28. It will feature a host of actors travelling from America and is being created with the Sinatra estate, including the music legend’s daughter Tina.