Principal dancer Brandon Lawrence to leave Birmingham Royal Ballet for Ballett Zürich

Birmingham Royal Ballet will say farewell to Principal dancer Brandon Lawrence at the end of the 22/23 season as takes his next step and joins Ballett Zürich for Cathy Marston’s first season as Director.

Brandon began dancing at the age of 8, earning a place at the prestigious Royal Ballet School in 2006, before joining Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2011, where his talent saw him rise through the ranks. Brandon was promoted to Soloist in 2016, First Soloist two years later, and in 2019 achieved the highest accolade of Principal.

Throughout his career with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Brandon has been recognised for his outstanding talent and has received multiple nominations for dance awards. He has also been instrumental in creating new roles with the company, showcasing his creativity and versatility.

Brandon Lawrence said: ‘Over the last 12 years I’ve been afforded a career at Birmingham Royal Ballet which has more than exceeded my expectations of myself. Being part of Sir David Bintley’s and Carlos Acosta’s visions, including many new creations, as well as the much loved heritage works, has been an ongoing highlight. The time has come for me to explore a new chapter beyond Birmingham Royal Ballet which will only build on everything I’ve learnt from my time dancing with the company, and learning from the highly skilled people who’ve walked through the doors. I’m forever grateful for the countless opportunities I’ve been given from new creations and LEAP work to Radio and TV.  It has been an honour not just to have danced with the company, but also to have been a proud ambassador.

My partnerships with Delia Mathews, Celine Gittens and Yijing Zhang; also dancing with Tzu-Chao Chou, Yaoqian Shang, Yvette Knight and Samara Downs will all hold a special place in my heart. There have been too many favourite roles and ballets at Birmingham Royal Ballet to mention, but to name a few Romeo, Siegfried, 3rd Seminarian in Carmina Burana, Othello in The Moors Pavane and Southern Cape Zebra in Still life at the Penguin Café (which will be the final role I perform for BRB) all stick out in my memory.  Most recently working with Juliano Nunez on Interlinked, Carlos on his production of Don Quixote and partnering Polina Seminova in Sir Peter Wright’s Swan Lake have also been huge highlights.’

Birmingham Royal Ballet will always be in my heart as the family who are in it together and there for each other. From August this year I will join Ballett Zürich as a Principal Dancer.’ 

Carlos Acosta said: ‘We are sorry to see Brandon go, but are excited for him in this new phase of his career. I have enjoyed working with him very much and not only is he an accomplished dancer, but also a warm-hearted person and it’s been great getting to know him, as well as work with him, over the past couple of years. I wish him the very best of luck with Ballett Zürich and look forward to seeing what he does next there. Everyone at Birmingham Royal Ballet will miss him.’

Currently dancing Siegfried in BRB’s Swan Lake tour, performing at Edinburgh Festival Theatre on 30 March, Brandon Lawrence’s final performances will be in one of his favourite roles as the Zebra in Sir David Bintley’s ‘Still LIfe at the Penguin Café’, as well as Apollo and Interlinked, running from 8 – 10 June at Birmingham Hippodrome.

For more information visit: Birmingham Royal Ballet