The BRB celebrated the 20th anniversary of its move north from Sadlers Wells with a gala evening composed of excerpts from the many works that have formed the basis of its current glory. We started with Weber’s Invitation to the Dance, the music to which Nijinsky leapt to fame in Le Spectre de la Rose, but played here simply as an overture. Then we were off into 15 contrasting pieces from the company’s Birmingham history, which were a nostalgia-trip for those who have followed the company’s work, and a wonderful tasting menu for those less familiar with the repertoire. The Hippodrome was kitted out with large TV screens visible from every seat, from which various members of the company, notably its director, David Bintley, and former director, Sir Peter Wright, gave us an insight into its history, and a rundown on the pieces being performed.

It was a splendid evening, with a real sense of celebration about it.There was Bintley’s The Orpheus Suite as a jazzy opener, featuring Robert Parker, happily returned to dance after his venture as an airline pilot, followed by the Grand Pas De Deux from Peter Wright’s Nutcracker. There was much emphasis on young dancers, with a beautifully danced slow movement from Concerto by Yasmin Naghdi and Sander Blommaert from The Royal Ballet School, and, later on, Birthday Waltz performed by a collection of young dancers from Elmhurst School for Dance, which had, like BRB, bravely moved north.

Other highlights included the balcony pas de deux from Macmillan’s Romeo and Juliet, with a luminous Nao Sakuma; a sexy extract from Balanchine’s Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (pictured), and Elisha Willis and Ian Mackay in Beauty and the Beast. David Bintley then came on stage to make an affecting speech thanking all those involved in making the company’s move to Birmingham such a success, before Balanchine’s Theme and Variations brought the evening to a glittering close.