In the Spirit of Diaghilev - Cherkaoui / De Frutos / Maliphant / McGregor
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.
- "A true salute to Diaghilev" ****
- THE GUARDIAN
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.
- "Everything about this Faun works spectacularly well" ****
- THE TIMES
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.
- "Obsessive, revealing, true to Maliphant's manner and to Nijinsky's imagery" ****
- FINANCIAL TIMES
- "A miniture masterpiece" ****
- DAILY TELEGRAPH
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.
- "This is absolutely the way dance theatre should go: shaking up the repetoire, encouraging bold collaborations"
- EVENING STANDARD
Eternal Damnation to Sancho & Sanchez contains scenes of an adult nature and some violence.
Sadler's Wells Theatre
13 - 17 Oct 2009
Ticket office:
0844 412 4300
How to find us
Sadler's Wells Theatre
Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN
Performance times
Tue - Sat at 7.30pm
Running time
2 hours 30 mins (including two 20 min intervals)
Tickets
£10 - £35
Group Discounts
Groups 8+ 20% off stalls seats for most performances. more »
Not available online or in conjunction with any other offer. To book, call the Ticket Office on 0844 412 4300.
Please Note: Under 5s are not admitted to this event. more »
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School discount performances
Wed & Thu
