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English National Ballet’s 2023/2024 Season
- Artistic Director Designate Aaron S. Watkin’s first season for English National Ballet
- Includes two world premieres, a UK premiere and a Company premiere
- New works from David Dawson, Andrea Miller and the UK premiere of Johan Inger’s Carmen
- George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations to be carried out by English National Ballet for the primary time
- Akram Khan’s Giselle and Mary Skeaping’s manufacturing carried out in the identical season
- Derek Deane’s Swan Lake in-the-round returns to the Royal Albert Hall
- Ballet Futures: The Pipeline Project expands following a profitable pilot
English National Ballet is thrilled to announce its plans for the 2023/2024 season, the primary programmed by Artistic Director Designate Aaron S. Watkin.
Featuring two world premieres, a UK premiere, a Company premiere and revivals of a few of English National Ballet’s most iconic works, the season represents the huge spectrum of ballet, forging innovation with ground-breaking new productions whereas persevering with to honour the good custom of enormous scale classical ballet.
Of his first season as Artistic Director of English National Ballet, Aaron S. Watkin mentioned: ‘Being entrusted to lead this brilliant organisation is a privilege. I am so grateful to be able to show audiences my vision for English National Ballet and share the immense talent and versatility this Company has to offer. By pairing works from some of the greatest classical choreographers with visceral new works by some of the most exciting artists working today I believe we are showcasing the full potential of this brilliant artform for audiences across the country. I am proud to build on Tamara’s legacy and can proceed to forge innovation and embrace the good custom of classical ballet. I’m excited to deliver the entire Company and our audiences on this journey, as we take English National Ballet into the subsequent chapter in its wealthy historical past.‘
Opening the season at Sadler’s Wells (21 – 30 September) is a brand new triple invoice, Our Voices that includes three ballets in three numerous kinds: classical ballet, neo-classical ballet and modern dance, showcasing the power and flexibility of the Company.
Our Voices sees the World Premiere of a brand new interpretation of Les Noces by American choreographer Andrea Miller with paintings by famend sculptor Dame Phyllida Barlow. Presented in its centenary yr, Les Noces is a visceral piece that sees the dancers joined on stage by a reside refrain from Opera Holland Park, accompanied by English National Ballet Philharmonic.
Returning to English National Ballet for the primary time in 15 years, one of many world’s main neo-classical choreographers, David Dawson presents the World Premiere of his newest creation Four Last Songs. An uplifting and poignant work, Four Last Songs explores the great thing about humanity and the circle of life, set to the ultimate rating by Richard Strauss.
Of Four Last Songs, David Dawson mentioned ‘I was introduced to Four Last Songs at the age of 19 and it has been a constant presence in my life ever since – through all of my experiences, a true companion. It is an honour for me to be able to create this new ballet to a piece of music that is so close to my heart.‘
Completing the programme for Our Voices is Theme and Variations by one of the most influential choreographers in ballet, George Balanchine. New to English National Ballet’s repertoire, Theme and Variations sees 13 {couples} take to the stage in an attractive showcase of virtuosity, that includes new set and designs for 2023 by Roberta Guidi di Bagno.
Having been seen by over 140,000 individuals in 10 nations and 16 cities around the globe, Akram Khan’s Giselle returns with performances on tour this autumn in Manchester (19 – 21 October) and Bristol (26 – 28 October). In this acclaimed reimagining of the traditional ballet, it tells the story of affection, betrayal, and redemption, with an imposing set designed by Academy Award-winner Tim Yip.
Offering audiences the prospect to see two variations of one of many nice romantic ballets in the identical season, Mary Skeaping’s manufacturing of Giselle returns to the London Coliseum in January 2024. With its classical language, Giselle options a few of ballet’s most dramatic scenes and otherworldly photographs.
The magic of Christmas returns this festive season with Nutcracker on tour on the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (30 November – 2 December) adopted by performances on the London Coliseum this December. Continuing English National Ballet’s custom of presenting a model of Nutcracker yearly since 1950, this manufacturing has already been seen be over 800,000 individuals, bringing pleasure to audiences younger and previous.
At Sadler’s Wells in spring 2024 is the UK Premiere of Johan Inger’s award-winning Carmen. Originally created for Spain’s Compania Nacional de Danza, this two-act ballet tells the tragic love story of Carmen, Don José and the Toreador. Set to a rating by Bizet and Shchedrin with new music from Spanish composer Marc Álvarez. Carmen affords audiences the prospect to see a daring reimagining of this traditional tragedy from Inger, whose work is never seen within the UK.
One of the largest spectacles in ballet, Derek Deane’s Swan Lake in-the-round returns to the Royal Albert Hall in summer season 2024. Over 100 performers, together with 60 dancing swans, deliver the traditional love story to life on one of many world’s most well-known phases. Featuring Tchaikovsky’s wonderful rating, carried out reside by English National Ballet Philharmonic, Swan Lake in-the-round is ideal for each devoted followers and first-time ballet goers.
For the primary time since 2019 English National Ballet and English National Ballet School current My First Ballet: Swan Lake on the Peacock Theatre over Easter 2024. The excellent introduction to ballet, this specifically tailored model of the world’s most iconic ballet sees a narrator information the viewers alongside, making ballet accessible to audiences as younger as three. The run will even embody a relaxed efficiency as a part of My First Inclusive Ballet outreach programme in addition to a collection of on-stage household workshops.
Returning in May, Emerging Dancer shines a light-weight on expertise all through the Company. This particular occasion sees the finalists showcase their artistry on stage. Alongside the Emerging Dancer Award, the night will even see the winner of the People’s Choice and Corps de Ballet Award introduced.
Following a profitable pilot final yr, Ballet Futures, a expertise pipeline undertaking to incentivise younger individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds to take part in skilled coaching, continues this yr. Alongside faculties in Birmingham, East London, Leicester, and West London, Ballet Futures expands to incorporate the Adagio School of Dance in Brentwood, Essex. 2023 additionally marks the reimagining of ENBYouthCo, now in its eleventh yr and persevering with to nurture expertise and creativity by co-creation and efficiency alternatives.
English National Ballet is an trade chief in artistic engagement apply, with pioneering programmes together with Dance for Parkinson’s, which this season can be delivered by way of six nationwide hubs and as an internet supply, and Dementia initiative Mindful Movers, delivered in care properties in East London. The season additionally sees Ballet Explored, our flagship undertaking partaking pupils from secondary faculties delivered in areas with low arts provision, and Re-Play, an annual group efficiency platform for English National Ballet’s Engagement, Youth and Community dance teams from throughout East London.
Launched as a direct response to the pandemic, English National Ballet’s on-line platforms – Ballet Active and Ballet on Demand – proceed to increase the Company’s attain, partaking extra individuals in ballet. With over 200 courses and counting, Ballet Active provides individuals the prospect to entry an enormous number of dance courses, from ballet to modern, flamenco to South Asian dance, led by a few of the main names in dance together with Alleyne Dance, Jose Agudo and Sujata Banerjee. Ballet on Demand permits individuals to revisit a few of English National Ballet’s iconic productions and specifically commissioned movies, accessible to lease or purchase.
This season will even see the continued nationwide and worldwide distribution of Creature, a collaboration between English National Ballet, Academy Award profitable director Asif Kapadia and Akram Khan. Hailed as ‘a new frontier for cinema’ (Little White Lies) Creature will even be a part of Ballet on Demand on 22 May 2023.
Akram Khan’s Giselle, Nutcracker and Mary Skeaping’s Giselle open for precedence reserving to Friends from 10am on Thursday 2 March 2023, with basic reserving open from 10am on Wednesday 8 March 2023.
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Our Voices, Carmen, My First Ballet: Swan Lake and Swan Lake in-the-round will open for reserving later this yr.