Press Release: Bruno Beltrão presents his new work at Sadler’s Wells Theatre on Tuesday 22 & Wednesday 23 November

[Jan McNulty]

Bruno Beltrão/ Grupo de Rua  Sadler’s Wells Theatre, EC1R 4TN  Tuesday 22 & Wednesday 23 November   Tickets: £20 - £25  Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com

Brazilian choreographer Bruno Beltrão brings his new work by Grupo de Rua to Sadler’s Wells Theatre on Tuesday 22 & Wednesday 23 November.    Against the backdrop of Jair Bolsonaro’s far-right policies, celebrated Brazilian choreographer Bruno Beltrão’s new work negotiates indissoluble conflicts and violent social contradictions, as an urban dance battle between encounter and confrontation, aggression and excess, hostility, solidarity and mutuality.     With high jumps, head spins and summersaults, fast kicks and twirling twists, this work is characterised by physical vehemence and an analytic understanding of music and space.  Over the course of the last two decades, Beltrão has revolutionised hip hop by blending styles and postures of urban dance with contemporary dance principles. His choreographies are popular and political.     Beltrão’s previous creation Inoah (2017) seemed to predict the societal shift of Jair Bolsonaro’s access to power. In this new creation, he makes a powerful and touching work that bears witness to his country while in the grip of ultra-right forces.  Through a succession of short scenes, Beltrão presents episodes of Brazilian street life, including birdsong, workshop hammers and city noise. With this format, the choreographer depicts a vibrant image of a community in movement. The hip hop scene is set, reflecting the roots of a practice that has now made its way centre stage.    NOTES TO EDITORS    Listing information  UK Premiere  Running Time: 60 minutes no interval   Standard no under 5s   Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com   About Bruno Beltrão  Bruno Beltrão (born in 1979 in Niterói) is a Brazilian choreographer who uses urban dance styles in the context of conceptual theatre and has combined various influences, including hip hop, to form abstract choreographic landscapes. In 1996, at the age of 16, he created the Grupo de Rua de Niterói with his friend Rodrigo Bernardi. With Grupo de Rua, Beltrão has toured acclaimed theatres and festivals worldwide since 2002. Beltrão was awarded two times “The Bessies – New York Dance and Performance Awards”, first in 2010 for his piece “H3” and more recently (2020) for one of his latest works “Inoah”. His choreographies move between the extremes: meditation, fury, softness, strength, virtuosity, reflection. If one is expecting just one of these aspects, it may come as a deception.    About Sadler’s Wells      Sadler's Wells is a world-leading dance organisation. We strive to make and share dance that inspires us all. Our acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap.  We commission, produce and present more dance than any other organisation in the world. Since 2005, we have helped to bring close to 200 new dance works to the stage, embracing both the popular and the unknown.        Each year, over half a million people visit our three London theatres - Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Lilian Baylis Studio and Peacock Theatre. Millions more attend our touring productions nationally and internationally or explore our digital platforms, including Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage. In 2023 we’re opening a fourth London venue in Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Sadler’s Wells East will house a 550-seat mid-scale theatre, as well as facilities for the Choreographic School and Hip Hop Theatre Academy.        Supporting artists is at the heart of our work. We have associate artists and companies, which nurture some of the most exciting talent working in dance today. We host the National Youth Dance Company, which draws together some of the brightest young dancers from across the country. Sadler’s Wells Breakin' Convention runs professional development programmes to champion and develop the world’s best hip hop artists, as well as producing, programming and touring groundbreaking hip hop performances.        Around 30,000 people take part in our learning and engagement programmes every year. We support schools local to our theatres in Islington and Stratford, designing experiences for children and young people to watch, explore and critically engage with the arts. We also run Company of Elders, a resident performance company of dancers aged over 60 who rehearse with renowned artists to make new work for public performances locally, nationally and internationally.        Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.       www.sadlerswells.com       Stay up to date with everything Sadler’s Wells on social media Facebook: @SadlersWells      Twitter: @Sadlers_Wells      Instagram: @sadlers_wells      YouTube: Sadler’s Wells Theatre