The Sarasota Ballet Unveils the World Premiere of Sir David Bintley’s A Comedy of Errors

March 9, 2022 – Sarasota

As the signature artistic endeavor of The Sarasota Ballet’s 2021 – 2022 Season, the World Premiere of Sir David Bintley’s A Comedy of Errors is set to take to the stage at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall 25 – 26 March. These performances of this full-length ballet serve as the culmination of thousands of hours of creative input by world-class artists from several disciplines: Sir David Bintley, who choreographed and created the roles of A Comedy of Errors on the dancers of The Sarasota Ballet; Australian composer Matthew Hindson, who crafted the ballet’s score; and Dick Bird, who designed the sets and costumes. Bintley’s concept for a modernized adaptation of William Shakespeare’s iconic comedy has grown into a full-length ballet that resonates with aficionados of the Bard’s oeuvre and ballet alike, while its contemporary sensibilities and overflowing charm are sure to engage audiences of all levels of familiarity with the performing arts.

“We are truly overjoyed to share this vibrant World Premiere with Sarasota,” says Iain Webb, Director of The Sarasota Ballet. “Working with David throughout this creative journey has been a deeply enriching artistic experience, as A Comedy of Errors perfectly captures the narrative and wit of the source material while infusing it with Bintley’s own clever touch. Our dancers, of course, are all eager to bring this spectacular new ballet to life at the Van Wezel; similarly, the accompanying musicians of the Sarasota Orchestra, who will be performing Hindson’s score for its live premiere, are enthusiastically engaging with the new music and looking forward to combining it with the dance component. A Comedy of Errors is a perfect amalgamation of world-class talent, a timeless story, and a modern energy, all coming together for an experience that embraces the artistry and flair for which Sarasota has become known in the global performing arts community.”

To set the stage with the ballet’s prologue: In the 1970s, sun-starved Brits flock to Spain’s Costa del Sol, and as with many young women Dawn and Kimberley fall under the spell of the exotic locals, the result being a trip to the maternity ward nine months later, where the girls each give birth to twin baby boys. Thirty-something years later Dawn and Kimberley, still young at heart, arrive for vacation on the Spanish island of Ibiza with their sons Anthony and Derek. Little do they know that their other sons, Tony and Del, twin brothers of Anthony and Derek, who were given up for adoption at birth, are also on the island. From there, the story takes flight!

“When you consider the magnitude of talent assembled for A Comedy of Errors, it becomes all too apparent that Sarasota has established itself as a leader in Florida’s performing arts,” says Joseph Volpe, Executive Director of The Sarasota Ballet. “This collaboration of Bintley, Hindson, and Bird, all having developed international renown through the cultural impact of their works, is emblematic of a world-class production that bolsters our community’s artistic acclaim. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic with a premiere of this caliber also attests to the robust support of our patrons as well as our corporate and institutional sponsors, without whom much of what The Sarasota Ballet produces would not be possible.”