Young performers rock Drake Circus in ‘Metal Mob’ to celebrate Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Black Sabbath – The Ballet
On Saturday 04 October, Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP), Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB), and Drake Circus brought a surprising twist of rhythm and rebellion to Plymouth city centre with a ‘Metal Mob’, an electrifying flash mob performance inspired by BRB’s ground-breaking production Black Sabbath – The Ballet.
The event, held at Drake Circus, Plymouth’s premier shopping destination, thrilled unsuspecting shoppers and music fans alike as young performers from the local community came together for a one-of-a-kind fusion of ballet, metal, and movement. The performance celebrated the upcoming arrival of Black Sabbath – The Ballet, which will take to the Theatre Royal Plymouth stage from 16 – 18 October 2025.
Throughout the morning, spontaneous bursts of music and choreography echoed through the mall, drawing crowds from every level to witness a bold and energetic celebration of creativity. The young dancers, aged 12 to 18, took part in a rehearsal at TRP on Friday (03 October) evening before surprising shoppers with the live performance. The spectacle brought together Plymouth’s artistic community and highlighted how dance continues to evolve, crossing genres and challenging expectations.
Heather Johns, Project Manager, Young People and Partnerships at Theatre Royal Plymouth, said:
“The Metal Mob was a brilliant example of how partnerships like this can open up ballet to young people in new and exciting ways. By blending the energy of heavy metal with the precision of ballet, we’ve shown that dance isn’t limited to one style or one space. Collaborating with Birmingham Royal Ballet and Drake Circus allowed us to take ballet out of the theatre and directly to young audiences, helping them discover that this art form can be powerful, expressive, and completely their own.”
Greg Lumley, Centre Director at Drake Circus, said:
“It was fantastic to see shoppers stop in their tracks to enjoy such an energetic and unexpected performance right in the heart of the centre. Supporting local young talent and creative partnerships like this is something we’re really passionate about – it brings the community together and adds something truly special to the shopping experience at Drake Circus.
“We can’t wait to see Birmingham Royal Ballet take to the stage in Plymouth later this month and continue inspiring audiences with their incredible work.”
Rebecca Brookes, Head of Learning, Engagement, Access and Participation (LEAP), said:
“It was fantastic to bring the energy of Black Sabbath – The Ballet to life with our flashmob at Drake Circus in partnership with Theatre Royal Plymouth. The students were an absolute joy to work with — they brought energy, enthusiasm, and a real sense of fun to the performance. Collaborations like this show the power of dance to connect people, celebrate creativity, and share the excitement of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s work with new audiences.”
The Metal Mob marked another exciting partnership between Theatre Royal Plymouth and Birmingham Royal Ballet, continuing their shared mission to bring the performing arts beyond traditional theatre spaces and into the heart of the community.
Tickets for BRB’S Black Sabbath – The Ballet at TRP are now on sale. Following a complete sell-out premiere season in Autumn 2023, bringing heavy metal fans to ballet for the first time, the 2025 tour will incorporate brand-new audio interviews with Black Sabbath band members, voices such as Sharon Osborne and fans from across the globe.
The production features stunning visuals and the unforgettable music of Black Sabbath, offering audiences a thrilling celebration of one of Britain’s most iconic bands. The sound design has also been revised, sharpened and turned up to full volume for this electric night of dance and rock that audiences have never experienced before.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Theatre Royal Plymouth’s website: https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/black-sabbath/
