Talbot / Wheeldon: Like Water for Chocolate (The Royal Ballet)

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 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.

Tita - Francesca Hayward
Mama Elena - Laura Morera
Rosaura - Mayara Magri
Gertrudis - Meaghan Grace Hinkis
Pedro - Marcelino Sambé
Dr John Brown - Matthew Ball
Nacha - Christina Arestis
Juan Alejandrez - Benjamin Ella
Don Pasqual - Gary Avis
Chencha - Isabella Gasparini

Orchestra Of The Royal Opera House
Principal Guest Concert Master - Vasko Vassilev
Solo Guitar - Tomas Barreiro
Guest Singer - Sian Griffiths
Conductor - Alondra De La Parra

Choreography - Christopher Wheeldon
Music - Joby Talbot
Inspired by the book by Laura Esquivel
Designer - Bob Crowley
Lighting Designer - Natasha Katz

Catalogue numbers: OA1366D (DVD) / OABD7312D (BLU-RAY)

Release Date - June 2023