In a few short weeks, the iconic Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will be descending on the UK to delight and impress audiences all over the country. As one of the world’s most popular dance companies, its return to the UK is further significant due to the fact it is the first time in over six years. During the company’s performances in the UK, it will present 10 works during six exhilarating programmes, including its Revelations masterpiece.
The tour will start with a two-week, four-programme season at Sadler’s Wells, London on 6 September and it will conclude at Festival Theatre, Edinburgh on 19 October. The tour will see Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater visit 10 venues, rather than just limiting its performances to London only. What a treat for regional audiences too! The company’s autumn tour marks the fourth time Ailey is presented by Dance Consortium, a group of 17 large scale venues located across the UK.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, founded in 1958, is recognised by the US Congress as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World”, in its presentation of constantly high-quality work and performances which are second to none. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Robert Battle (the Company’s third artistic leader in its almost 60 year history), Ailey’s performances celebrate the human spirit through the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition. This was initiated by Ailey’s reliance on his ‘blood memories’ of growing up in the US.
Since 1958, Ailey’s performers have performed for over 25 million people in 71 countries, on a total of six continents.