Press Release: UK Premiere of Formosa by internationally renowned Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan at Sadler's Wells

[Jan McNulty]

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
Formosa
UK Premiere
Wednesday 9 - Saturday 12 May 2018
Performances: Wednesday - Saturday at 7.30pm
Tickets: £12 - £38
Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com


“When you’re talking about Cloud Gate, magic is not too strong a word” Time Out

The internationally acclaimed Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan returns to Sadler’s Wells from 9 - 12 May 2018 with the UK Premiere of Formosa. Award-winning choreographer and writer Lin Hwai-min’s new work takes inspiration from the legendary words of the Portuguese sailors in the 16th century, as they spotted the verdant land that would one day be known as Taiwan: “Formosa!”(“Beautiful!”).



With music by award-winning Taiwanese indigenous singer Sangpuy and projection designs made up of Chinese characters, in Formosathe lines between tribal rituals and the bustle of the city begin to blur. Using gesture, script, music and other elements of the island, Lin and 22 dancers explore how writing has the power to distort memories and erase history. The piece received critical acclaim upon its World Premiere in Taipei in November last year.

Cloud Gate is the name of the oldest known dance in China. In 1973, choreographer Lin Hwai-min adopted this classical name and founded the first contemporary dance company in the Chinese-speaking community: Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan. Cloud Gate dancers are trained in meditation, Qi Gong, internal martial arts, modern dance and ballet. Through Lin Hwai-min’s innovative choreographies, the company transforms ancient aesthetics into a thrilling modern celebration of motion. Acclaimed as “Asia’s leading contemporary dance theater” (The Times), Cloud Gate tours extensively. The Cloud Gate Theater in Taipei presents performances from across the world, and opens its outdoor space to the public, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year. The company first visited Sadler’s Wells in 1999 and most recently performed here with Songs of the Wanderers in 2016.

Lin Hwai-min will retire from his position as Artistic Director at the end of 2019, with Cheng Tsung-lung, Artistic Director of Cloud Gate 2, to succeed him to direct Cloud Gate.

A Sadler’s Wells co-production

The Monument Trust supports co-productions and new commissions at Sadler's Wells 


NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT SADLER’S WELLS
Sadler’s Wells is a world-leading creative organisation dedicated to dance in all its forms. With over three centuries of theatrical heritage and a year-round programme of performances and learning activities, its goal is to motivate everyone to experience dance – to take part, learn, experiment and be inspired. Audiences of over half a million come to Sadler’s Wells’ London theatres each year, with many more enjoying its touring productions at partner venues across the UK and around the world, or accessing its content through digital channels. 
Sadler’s Wells commissions and presents more new dance work than any other theatre in the world, embracing the popular and the unknown. Since 2005, it has helped to bring over 140 new dance works to the stage, many of them involving its 16 Associate Artists, three Resident Companies and four Associate Companies – the most exciting talents working in dance today. It also nurtures the next generation of talent through its artist development initiatives, and reaches over 25,000 annually through its learning and engagement programmes
Located in Islington, north London, the current theatre is the sixth to have stood on the site since it was first built by entrepreneur Richard Sadler in 1683. The venue has played an illustrious role in the history of theatre ever since with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Opera having all started at Sadler’s Wells. Sadler’s Wells is a charity and a National Portfolio Organisation, currently receiving 10% of its revenue from Arts Council England.