The internationally acclaimed dance company BalletBoyz has announced its return to both screen and stage. In March the company will return to live performance with Deluxe, a double bill fusing dance with original music and film content. Ahead of that, this Christmas, they are set to present their third feature film, Rumpelstilzchen. A Sky Original, the fable is brought to life with an all-star cast including Jane Horrocks. Rumpelstilzchen will be released from 21 December in Curzon Cinemas and on Sky Arts and Freeview on 23 December. Deluxe will embark on a nationwide UK tour from March to May.

An engrossing and original fantasy film, the creative team of Rumpelstilzchen have brought the age-old Brothers Grimm tale to life in a playful novel re-imagining for all ages. In the tradition of the stars of the silver screen the actors communicate the story through movement and gestural narration. Featuring scenes that include a pool of tears, the transformation of straw into gold, a wild wedding reception and a spooky dance around a fireside, the one-of-a-kind film combines theatre, dance, and music. It is a ballet without dancing, an opera without singing, a drama without speaking.

Deluxe was planned for 2020 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking all-male ensemble, the production was one of the first pieces of work to be adapted in lockdown for broadcast, premiering online and later on BBC Four.

Deluxe sees Shanghai-based dancer and choreographer Xie Xin choreographing Ripple for BalletBoyz set to an original score by composer Jiang Shaofeng. Described by the choreographer as a memory like an ocean, the piece explores movement inspired by the memory of a person and energy that such memories possess. Renowned as the choreographer behind immersive theatre trailblazers Punchdrunk, Maxine Doyle will present Bradley 4:18, as the second part of Deluxe, to live jazz music composed specially for the piece.