Formed in 1909 by Sergei Diaghilev, Les Ballets Russes revolutionised the art of dance. One hundred years later, four ground-breaking choreographers pay a thrilling tribute to this unique artistic venture.

For this special event Sadler's Wells has commissioned brand new works from Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Javier De Frutos, Russell Maliphant and Wayne McGregor who will each create work inspired by Les Ballets Russes and its spirit of collaboration.

Each artist, working with all or part of his own company, gives their own original response to the famous challenge that Diaghilev once issued to Jean Cocteau: “Surprise me!”


Wayne McGregor: Dyad 1909

Inspired by Shackleton's Nimrod expedition to the South Pole in 1909, the year that Les Ballets Russes was founded, Wayne McGregor creates a brand new Ballet Blanc, Dyad 1909. Wayne McGregor | Random Dance collaborates with acclaimed artists and filmmakers Jane and Louise Wilson, lighting designer Lucy Carter and costume designer Moritz Junge. Music is by acclaimed Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds.

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui: Faun

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui examines the animalistic nature of human movement and the power of mythology in Faun. This brand new duet, created for two of his company dancers, takes an alternative look at the eponymous creature from Stéphane Mallermé's poem, Claude Débussy's music and Vaslav Nijinsky's choreography. With additional music by Nitin Sawhney and costumes by leading fashion designer Hussein Chalayan.

Russell Maliphant: AfterLight

Using Vaslav Nijinksy's geometric drawings and paintings as a starting point, Russell Maliphant will create a brand new solo entitled AfterLight. Featuring Daniel Proietto from the Russell Maliphant Company, lighting and sound design is from regular Maliphant collaborators Michael Hulls and Andy Cowton. The work has been developed in collaboration with designer Es Devlin and animation company onedotzero industries.

Javier De Frutos: Eternal Damnation to Sancho and Sanchez

Olivier Award-winner Javier De Frutos's Eternal Damnation to Sancho and Sanchez is a cautionary fable inspired by Cocteau's scenarios and designs for Les Ballets Russes and set to Maurice Ravel's La Valse. De Frutos joins forces with theatre designer Katrina Lindsay and lighting designer Michael Hulls.

 

Eternal Damnation to Sancho & Sanchez contains scenes of an adult nature and some violence.

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