The Associates

Sadler's WellsThe Sadler’s Wells’ Associate Artists, some of whom will form the upcoming ‘The Associates’ programme, represent some of the most exciting talent in contemporary dance today. For this particular programme at Sadler’s Wells, three Associates will present new and critically acclaimed work in February.

Crystal Pite, Kate Prince and Hofesh Shechter will together celebrate the tenth anniversary of the first appointments of Associate Artists by Artistic Director and Chief Executive Alistair Spalding in 2004. Sadler’s Wells is a receiving dance house, however its Associate Artists mean new work is being created within its walls. Since the appointment ten years ago, over 90 productions have been brought to the stage, and even gone on to tour around the world.

Each Associate has a unique style and approach to creating dance. Newest Associate Artist Crystal Pite will present A Picture of You Falling, a duet for a man and a woman. It centres on Pite’s fascination with the shared narratives that live in our bodies, the familiar repetitive storylines that move across cultures and generations, and the body’s role as illustrator. Inspired by the complex beauty of baroque music, Hofesh Shechter presents his new work, the barbarians in love, set in a sparse world in which six dancers move with mathematical precision and passion. Completing the bill is another new work, SMILE, choreographed and performed by Tommy Franzén and directed by Associate Artist Kate Prince. Inspired by the song Smile, originally composed by Charlie Chaplin, the piece looks behind the smiling face of one of the world’s greatest entertainers.

In addition to Crystal Pite, Kate Prince and Hofesh Shechter, Sadler’s Wells’ other 13 Associate Artists are Matthew Bourne, BalletBoyz, Wayne McGregor, Jasmin Vardimon, Christopher Wheeldon, Jonzi D, Sylvie Guillem, Michael Keegan-Dolan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Akram Khan, Russell Maliphant composer Nitin Sawhney and lighting designer Michael Hulls.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons