Press Release: English National Ballet to present Mats Ek’s new version of The Rite of Spring

[Jan McNulty]

English National Ballet

Ek / Forsythe / Quagebeur 
Sadler’s Wells, London 
Wednesday 09 – Saturday 12 November 2022 
www.ballet.org.uk/ek-forsythe-quagebeur

 

English National Ballet returns to Sadler’s Wells, London (09 – 12 November), to present a triple bill celebrating the creativity and innovation of contemporary repertoire, including Mats Ek’s new version of The Rite of Spring, the Company has announced today.

 

Marking his first creation for English National Ballet, the renowned choreographer revisits his 1984 version of the iconic ballet, to confront themes of sacrifice and renewal. With new choreography, the piece for 22 dancers will feature costume and set design by Marie-Louise Ekman, lighting by Linus Fellbom and Stravinsky’s visceral score played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic.

 

Tamara Rojo CBE, English National Ballet’s Artistic Director, said: “It is a huge honour and a privilege to have Mats Ek create a new work on 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 Rite of Spring 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 Iis 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.  

-ENDS- 

 

English National Ballet is grateful for the generous grant it has been awarded through the Government's Culture Recovery Fund, which allows it to continue to create, perform and serve its audiences.
 

Notes to Editors

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

Ballymore is Principal Building Partner of English National Ballet.

English National Ballet is an Associate Company of Sadler’s Wells.

Take Five Blues by Stina Quagebeur 
Lead Supporter of Take Five Blues: Charles Holloway

 

Listings:

English National Ballet
Ek / Forsythe / Quagebeur 
Sadler’s Wells, London 
Wednesday 09 – Saturday 12 November 2022 
www.ballet.org.uk/ek-forsythe-quagebeur

General booking opens on Monday 16 May 2022   

 

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 live performances across the UK and on eminent international stages; its digital platforms Ballet on Demand and BalletActive; 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 when it moved into a purpose-built state-of-the-art home in east London, Mulryan Centre for Dance, bringing 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 agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our strategic vision in Let's Create that by 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high quality cultural experiences. We invest public money from Government and The National Lottery to help support the sector and to deliver this vision. www.artscouncil.org.uk

Following the Covid-19 crisis, the Arts Council developed a £160 million Emergency Response Package with nearly 90% coming from the National Lottery, for organisations and individuals needing support. We are also one of several bodies administering the Government's Culture Recovery Fund and unprecedented support package of £1.57 billion for the culture and heritage sector. Find out more at www.artscouncil.org.uk/covid19 

[alison]

Why have one Rite of Spring when you can have two, eh?    (Actually, 3, since the MacMillan has also been in ENB's repertoire)

[JNC]

Oh this makes the bill more tempting to me...

 

I wonder/hope if ENB will follow RB's lead and do more streaming of performances, it's a rather short run and not sure I can make it...

[Jan McNulty]

2 hours ago, alison said:

Why have one Rite of Spring when you can have two, eh?    (Actually, 3, since the MacMillan has also been in ENB's repertoire)

 

Hi Alison, which is the other one?

[Lizbie1]

1 hour ago, Jan McNulty said:

 

Hi Alison, which is the other one?

 

The Pina Bausch version, I assume.

[Jan McNulty]

2 minutes ago, Lizbie1 said:

 

The Pina Bausch version, I assume.

 

Oh, I'd completely forgotten they'd done that one.  Thanks Lizbie.