Press Releases: First Look - English National Ballet premiere Creature by Akram Khan & principal casting

[Jan McNulty]

 

English National Ballet 
WORLD PREMIERE of Creature by Akram Khan 
Sadler’s Wells, London
01- 08 April 2020 
www.ballet.org.uk/creature

English National Ballet today reveals a first look at its new production, Creature by Akram Khan, which receives its world premiere at Sadler’s Wells, London, on Wednesday 01 April.

English National Ballet’s Creature by Akram Khan. Dancer: Jeffrey Cirio. Photo © Jason Bell. Creative Direction: Charlotte Wilkinson Studio

 

Renowned choreographer Akram Khan returns to create a second full-length production for English National Ballet following the success of Giselle, which, since it was first performed in 2016, has been seen live by over 109,000 people through tours to twelve cities, in the UK and internationally.

 

Jeffrey Cirio and Akram Khan in Creature R&D © Laurent Liotardo

 

Jeffrey Cirio in Creature R&D © Laurent Liotardo

 

 

Jeffrey Cirio, Nicky Henshall and Noam Durand in Creature R&D © Laurent Liotardo

 

A Co-Production between English National Ballet and Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, Creature is an unearthly tale of exploitation and human frontiers inspired by Georg Büchner’s expressionist classic Woyzeck, with shadows of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Drawing on themes of abandonment, isolation and the fragility of the mind, Creature is the tale of an outsider and the search for belonging.

 

Akram Khan said:
“The outcast, the stranger, have been a common theme in my work. In Creature, I am looking further into the areas related to the sense of abandonment, rage and loss.”

 

Khan is joined by a brilliant creative team in the creation of this new ballet including Academy Award-winning designer Tim Yip, composer and sound designer Vincenzo Lamagna, lighting designer Michael Hulls and dramaturg Ruth Little.

 

There will be an audio described performance of Creature on Saturday 04 April, making the production accessible to visually impaired people. A description of the action as it appears on stage will be given as well as an onstage ‘touch tour’ ahead of the performance, in which participants are given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with costumes and props through touch.

-ENDS-

 

English National Ballet is a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England. 

 

 

Notes to Editors
Credits:
Choreography & Direction:       Akram Khan
Assistant Choreographer:        Andrej Petrovic
Composer:                               Vincenzo Lamagna with arrangement by James Keane
Designs:                                  Tim Yip
Lighting:                                   Michael Hulls
Dramaturg:                               Ruth Little
Repetiteur:                               Mavin Khoo
Sound Design:                         Yvonne Gilbert

A Co-Production between English National Ballet and Opera Ballet Vlaanderen (OBV)
Co-Producer: Sadler’s Wells, London  Production Partner: The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater
UK Production Sponsor: Cunard 

 

Listings: 

Creature by Akram Khan 
Sadler’s Wells, London
Wednesday 01 - Wednesday 08 April 2020
Box Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.ballet.org.uk/creature 

 

About English National Ballet 
English National Ballet has a long and distinguished history. Founded in 1950 as London Festival Ballet by the great English Dancers Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, it has been at the forefront of ballet’s growth and evolution ever since.

English National Ballet brings world class ballet to the widest possible audience through performances across the UK and on eminent international stages including The Bolshoi Theatre and Palais Garnier; its distinguished orchestra, English National Ballet Philharmonic; and being a UK leader in creative learning and engagement practice, building innovative partnerships to deliver flagship programmes such as English National Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s.

Under the artistic directorship of Tamara Rojo CBE, English National Ballet has introduced ground-breaking new works to the Company’s repertoire whilst continuing to honour the tradition of great classical ballet, gaining acclaim for artistic excellence and creativity. 2019 saw English National Ballet enter a new chapter in its history with a move into a purpose-built state-of-the-art home in East London which brings a renewed commitment to, and freedom for, creativity, ambition, and connection to more people, near and far, than ever before.
www.ballet.org.uk

 

About Arts Council England
Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to visual art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2018 and 2022, we will invest £1.45 billion of public money from government and an estimated £860 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk

[LinMM]

I never normally win anything but in ENB’s Christmas Advent Calendar thingy I won a years free membership ( to start from next September) and two free tickets to the rehearsal  of Creature on March 31st....so looks like the night before the opening Premiere! 

[Blossom]

I wonder when casting will be released. Currently have the first Thursday matinee booked but want to ensure I see Cirio. Crossing fingers...

[Jan McNulty]

English National Ballet 
WORLD PREMIERE of Creature by Akram Khan 
Sadler’s Wells, London 
01- 08 April 2020 
www.ballet.org.uk/creature

 

Ahead of its world premiere at Sadler’s Wells in April (01-08), English National Ballet today announces principal casting for its new production, Creature by Akram Khan. 

In a dilapidated former Arctic research station, the Creature has been conscripted by a military brigade into a bold new experimental programme. He is being tested for his mental and physical ability to adapt to extreme cold, isolation and homesickness; vital qualities in mankind's proposed colonisation of the 'final frontiers' on earth and beyond.

Creature is an unearthly tale of exploitation and human frontiers inspired by Georg Büchner’s expressionist classic Woyzeck, with shadows of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Drawing on themes of abandonment, isolation and the fragility of the mind, Creature is the tale of an outsider and the search for belonging.

Performing the title role of the Creature are Lead Principals Jeffrey Cirio and Isaac Hernández, and First Soloist, Aitor Arrieta. 

 

Full principal casting in the order of Creature, Marie (the Creature’s keeper), Doctor, Captain, Major, Andres (the Creature’s friend): 

 

Wednesday 1 April
Jeffrey Cirio, Erina Takahashi, Stina Quagebeur, Ken Saruhashi, Fabian Reimair, Victor Prigent

 

Thursday 2 April (mat) 
Isaac Hernández, Fernanda Oliveira, Emma Hawes, Daniel Kraus, Joseph Caley, Rentaro Nakaaki

 

Thursday 2 April 
Aitor Arrieta, Emily Suzuki, Sarah Kundi, Henry Dowden, James Streeter, Barry Drummond 

 

Friday 3 April (mat)
Isaac Hernández, Fernanda Oliveira, Emma Hawes, Daniel Kraus, Joseph Caley, Rentaro Nakaaki

 

Friday 3 April 
Jeffrey Cirio, Erina Takahashi, Stina Quagebeur, Ken Saruhashi, Fabian Reimair, Victor Prigent

 

Saturday 4 April (mat)
Aitor Arrieta, Emily Suzuki, Sarah Kundi, Henry Dowden, James Streeter, Barry Drummond

 

Saturday 4 April 
Jeffrey Cirio, Erina Takahashi, Stina Quagebeur, Ken Saruhashi, Fabian Reimair, Victor Prigent

 

Monday 6 April 
Aitor Arrieta, Emily Suzuki, Sarah Kundi, Henry Dowden, James Streeter, Barry Drummond

 

Tuesday 7 April 
Jeffrey Cirio, Erina Takahashi, Stina Quagebeur, Ken Saruhashi, Fabian Reimair, Victor Prigent

 

Wednesday 8 April (mat) 
Aitor Arrieta, Emily Suzuki, Sarah Kundi, Henry Dowden, James Streeter, Barry Drummond

 

Wednesday 8 April
Isaac Hernández, Fernanda Oliveira, Emma Hawes, Daniel Kraus, Joseph Caley, Rentaro Nakaaki

 

A Co-Production between English National Ballet and Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, Creature is Akram Khan’s third collaboration with English National Ballet and follows the success of Dust (performed as part of Lest We Forget in 2014), and Giselle, Khan’s first ever full-length ballet. Since its premiere in 2016, Giselle has been seen by over 359,000 people through live performances, cinema screenings, broadcast, and on DVD.

 

Khan is joined by a brilliant creative team in the creation of this new ballet including Academy Award-winning designer Tim Yip, composer and sound designer Vincenzo Lamagna, lighting designer Michael Hulls and dramaturg Ruth Little.

 

English National Ballet is a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England. 

-ENDS- 

 

 

Notes to Editors

Credits:
Direction and Choreography: Akram Khan
Original Music and Sound Design: Vincenzo Lamagna 
with arrangement by James Keane
Visual and Costume Design: Tim Yip
Lighting Design: Michael Hulls
Dramaturgy: Ruth Little
Assistant Choreographer: Andrej Petrovič
Guest Repetiteurs: Nicola Henshall, Mavin Khoo
Sound System Designer: Yvonne Gilbert

A Co-Production between English National Ballet and Opera Ballet Vlaanderen (OBV) 
Co-Producer: Sadler’s Wells, London  Production Partner: The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater
UK Production Sponsor: Cunard 

 

Listings: 

Creature by Akram Khan 
Sadler’s Wells, London
Wednesday 01 - Wednesday 08 April 2020
Box Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.ballet.org.uk/creature 

 

About English National Ballet 
English National Ballet has a long and distinguished history. Founded in 1950 as London Festival Ballet by the great English Dancers Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, it has been at the forefront of ballet’s growth and evolution ever since. 

 

English National Ballet brings world class ballet to the widest possible audience through performances across the UK and on eminent international stages including The Bolshoi Theatre and Palais Garnier; its distinguished orchestra, English National Ballet Philharmonic; and being a UK leader in creative learning and engagement practice, building innovative partnerships to deliver flagship programmes such as English National Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s.

 

Under the artistic directorship of Tamara Rojo CBE, English National Ballet has introduced ground-breaking new works to the Company’s repertoire whilst continuing to honour the tradition of great classical ballet, gaining acclaim for artistic excellence and creativity. 2019 saw English National Ballet enter a new chapter in its history with a move into a purpose-built state-of-the-art home in East London which brings a renewed commitment to, and freedom for, creativity, ambition, and connection to more people, near and far, than ever before.
www.ballet.org.uk

 

About Arts Council England
Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to visual art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2018 and 2022, we will invest £1.45 billion of public money from government and an estimated £860 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[alison]

And oddly enough, I tried to get onto the Sadler's Wells website to check availability for something else, and found myself in a queue - at 11 pm!  Could there be a link?

 

I thought I'd already commented about the change of emphasis from Frankenstein to Woyzeck, but apparently not, unless it was elsewhere.

[bridiem]

9 hours ago, alison said:

I thought I'd already commented about the change of emphasis from Frankenstein to Woyzeck, but apparently not, unless it was elsewhere.

 

Yes, I was surprised by that. I only remember Frankenstein being mentioned originally.

[LinMM]

This sounds similar to a wonderful Play I read as a student called Draussen Vor der Tur by Wolfgang Borchert ( literally the man outside the door) About a man who comes back from the war and he has lost everything he knew (every door closed to him)  even his beliefs so totally isolated and disillusioned. 
I just remember it being very powerful at the time when I was about 19. 
I would love to have seen this performed and would love to know if Akram Khan has read it!!!

[JohnS]

2 hours ago, bridiem said:

 

Yes, I was surprised by that. I only remember Frankenstein being mentioned originally.

News to me also. I see there’s a 60 minute master class on http://www.ballet.org.uk/creature which I will watch later but can anyone point to any interviews/articles that would be helpful?