Category: News

From 12-21 April, English National Ballet will present the world premiere of a new work by one of the most revered choreographers working today, William Forsythe. It will be his first creation for a UK ballet company in over 20 years. Forsythe’s new work will be presented at Sadler’s Wells as part of Voices of America, a new mixed bill dedicated to neo-classical ballet with an American accent, featuring works with audacious attitude from three generations of choreographers. Continue reading English National Ballet’s Voices of America

David Bintley CBE has announced he will step down as Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet at the end of the 2018/19 season, on 31 July 2019, after 24 years. After such a long tenure David plans to pursue increasing international requests to choreograph new works and to stage his ballets. He has just returned from working with Sarasota Ballet in the USA who recently premiered his ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café, meaning his new work would simply be an extension of this.

Continue reading Birmingham Royal Ballet’s David Bintley to step down

Breakin’ Convention, the renowned Sadler’s Wells project, celebrates a landmark 15 years this May Bank Holiday. To honour this anniversary Breakin’ Convention’s Artistic Director, UK hip hop theatre pioneer Jonzi D, has created an extended programme reflecting on the festival’s achievements, as well as looking forward to the future and possibilities of hip hop dance and culture. Continue reading Breakin’ Convention 2018

Dance development organisation and creative producer East London Dance, and music talent development organisation, talent incubator and educator Urban Development, announced today that they have secured a joint funding bid from the Mayor of London’s Greater London Authority Good Growth Fund for £1 million, to create the UK’s first National Talent House for urban culture in Stratford, east London.

The funding will match £1 million (£500,000 per organisation) already secured from the Arts Council England Small Capital Grants programme in 2017, and will enable the fit-out of a 1,000+ square metre historic warehouse and modern extension as part of the Sugar House Island Development (formerly Strand East) adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Inspired by the need to ensure that diverse and disadvantaged young people from east London benefit from the legacy of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the centre will offer an aspirational space to unlock the potential of musicians, singer songwriters, composers, dancers, choreographers and producers and enable progression to further/higher education, employment and enterprise. It will also be an incubation hub with strong industry links for innovation in the creative industries, launching new projects, products and careers.

East London Dance and Urban Development are leaders in urban culture and drive the vital diversification of the dance and music sectors, through investment in nurturing and championing new authentic voices and providing platforms to gain recognition. Building on nearly two decades of collaboration, both organisations will share the building that will become their new permanent home – enabling the growth and sustainability of their vital work, engaging and developing diverse young talent aged 14–30 years.

This building will not only provide a new home for East London Dance and Urban Development but will be an authentic space that listens and responds to artists, young people and the local community. It will help produce a vibrant new creative hub and create a home and meeting point for the urban arts community. The new building will make the organisations fit-for-purpose, allow accessibility to talent, encourage diversity and connect London’s sub-cultures to new audiences, markets and opportunities.

Continue reading East London Dance’s National Talent House

Mark Baldwin OBE is to step down as Artistic Director of Rambert, the UK’s leading contemporary dance company. Mark, who has held the position since 2002, is leaving Rambert to devote more time to his choreographic work. Continue reading Rambert’s Mark Baldwin to step down

In honour of Kenneth MacMillan, the hugely influential and ahead-of-his-time choreographer, the legendary ballerina Viviana Durante will direct a programme from his earliest works. The Barbican will host Viviana Durante Company and Kenneth MacMillan: Steps Back in Time, from Wednesday 18–Saturday 21 April. Continue reading Kenneth MacMillan at the Barbican

Following its critically acclaimed runs at Southwark Playhouse and Charing Cross Theatre, Thom Southerland’s production of Titanic returns to the stage, bringing a new casting announcement with it. The production will head off on a UK tour, with a cast including Kieran Brown (The Phantom of the Opera), Devon-Elise Johnson (Half a Sixpence), Claire Machin (The Girls), Victoria Serra (Mamma Mia!) and Niall Sheehy (Miss Saigon). Continue reading Titanic’s UK tour cast

The Summer/Autumn 2018 season at Sadler’s Wells contains thrilling dance for its audiences. It includes: Continue reading Sadler’s Wells’ Summer/Autumn 2018 Season

The 2018/19 season for The National Ballet of Canada was recently announced by artistic director Karen Kain. As part of the season, the company will tour to Hamburg, Germany, with an all-Canadian programme of James Kudelka’s The Man in Black, Emergence by Crystal Pite and The Dreamers Ever Leave You by Choreographic Associate Robert Binet. Continue reading The National Ballet of Canada 2018/19 Season

Casting has been confirmed for the West End production of Chess which opens at the London Coliseum later this summer, which has seen Michael Ball, Alexandra Burke and Cassidy Janson confirmed for production’s West End revival. To the delight of fans, not only was the musical set to return but it is now also set to feature huge theatrical stars. Continue reading Chess cast revealed