November 2022 sees English National Ballet return to Sadler’s Wells, London, to present a triple bill of contemporary work.

Renowned choreographer Mats Ek will choreograph a new version of The Rite of Spring, his first creation for the Company. The piece for 20 dancers will feature new choreography, costume and set design by Marie-Louise Ekman, lighting by Linus Fellbom and music played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic.

Tamara Rojo said: “It’s a huge honour and a privilege to have Mats Ek create a new work for the Company. He is a master choreographer with a long history of impactful and imaginative works, and I can’t wait to see him create closely with our dancers.”

The new work will be performed alongside Take Five Blues by English National Ballet’s Associate Choreographer, Stina Quagebeur, and William Forsythe’s Blake Works I.

Originally created for the Company’s 2020 Digital Season and first performed on stage when theatres reopened in spring 2021, Take Five Blues is a joyous exploration of contemporary jazz and classical music which will be extended to a longer one act ballet. Blake Works I is a soulful piece for 21 dancers set to seven songs from James Blake’s album The Colour in Anything, first performed by English National Ballet in spring 2022.

[Image description] A woman balancing on point shoots one leg straight up to the sky, her chest open with one arm flung high. Her other hand is clasped by her male partner who stands behind, one knee bent, his other leg extended diagonally. In the background, three female dancers are elevated on points, arms extended wide.

Header image © Laurent Liotardo