Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends @ Sadler's Wells, 9 - 11 March 2023

[Bruce Wall]

NYCB Principal dancer Tiler Peck will come with her ‘friends’ to Sadler’s Wells in London in the spring.
She will present the European premiere of Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends on Thursday 9 – Saturday 11 March 2023.
Peck has assembled many of today’s most exciting dancers in an exciting programme.
 

Originally conceived for New York City Center’s Artists at the Center series, the programme includes Peck’s own Thousandth Orange, set to live music by Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw, Alonzo King’s pas de deux Swift Arrow, Time Spell – a collaboration between long-time friend and tap dancer Michelle Dorrance alongside Jillian Meyers.  The programme closes with The Barre Project, Blake Works II, which was originally created for film and hosted by Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage and produced by CLI Studios with music by James Blake. The project marked the first creative partnership between Peck and choreographer William Forsythe and now will be performed live.

Featuring performances by:
India Bradley, Michelle Dorrance, Jovani Furlan, Christopher Grant, Lex Ishimoto, Lauren Lovette, Brooklyn Mack, Aaron Marcellus, Roman Mejia, Jillian Meyers, Mira Nadon, Tiler Peck, K.J. Takahashi, Byron Tittle, and Penelope Wendtlandt.

 

Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends
Sadler’s Wells, EC1
Thursday 9 – Saturday 11 March 2023

Edited November 29, 2022 by Bruce Wall

[Jan McNulty]

And the press release:

 

Press Release: Tuesday 29 November 2022    European debut of Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends  at Sadler’s Wells in spring  Award-winning New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck presents the European premiere of Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends at Sadler’s Wells on Thursday 9 - Saturday 11 March 2023. With her personal touches on the evening, Peck has assembled many of today’s most exciting dance artists for an innovative programme. Originally conceived for New York City Center’s Artists at the Center series, the programme includes Peck’s own Thousandth Orange, set to live music by Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw, Alonzo King’s pas de deux Swift Arrow, Time Spell - a collaboration between long-time friend and world class tap dancer Michelle Dorrance alongside Jillian Meyers.    The programme closes with The Barre Project, Blake Works II. Originally created for film and hosted by Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage, it was produced by CLI Studios with music by James Blake. The project marked the first creative partnership between Peck and choreographer William Forsythe and is now performed live.   Kindly supported by Blavatnik Family Foundation   NOTES TO EDITORS Listings Information Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends Sadler’s Wells, EC1 Thursday 9 - Saturday 11 March 2023 Tickets: £15-£85 Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com Tickets for newly announced events are on public sale from Monday 5 December at 10 am via www.sadlerswells.com. Booking opens to members on Friday 2 December. 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 About Tiler peck  Tiler Peck (Curator, Dancer, & Choreographer) has been a Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet since 2009. Peck made her choreographic debut at the Vail Dance Festival in 2018 and has gone on to choreograph and appear in episodes of Tiny Pretty Things and Ray Donovan, and she recently choreographed the box office smash hit film John Wick 3. Most recently she curated and directed the highly anticipated inaugural Artists at the Center for New York City Center. This programme marked her NYC choreographic debut and featured premieres from William Forsythe, Alonzo King, Jillian Meyers and Michelle Dorrance. Peck has appeared on “Dancing with the Stars”, twice on “The Kennedy Center Honors”, and in “Live From Lincoln Center broadcasts” of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker and in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. As a guest star, she was the first ballerina ever to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.    In film, Peck starred in "Ballet Now", a Hulu documentary that followed her as she became the first woman to curate and star in The Los Angeles Music Center’s presentation of BalletNOW. She also appeared in Ballet 422, A Time for Dancing, and Donnie Darko. She is a recipient of the Princess Grace Statue Award, The Dance Magazine Award, and was named one of Forbes 30 under 30.    To keep the dance world connected during the pandemic, Peck developed a free ballet class #TurnItOutWithTiler that airs on her Instagram.    Up next, Peck can be seen in Disney+’s The Hip Hop Nutcracker and Josh Groban’s Great Big Radio City Show PBS special that will both premiere on 25 November.  www.tilerpeck.com Instagram & TikTok: @TilerPeck.

[ChrisG]

This looks really interesting! I’m in London on the 11th for the Woolf Works matinée so it looks like my evening is sorted.

[Emeralds]

❤️❤️❤️

Fantastic news! Tiler Peck, NYCB colleagues, and friends from other companies and genres/disciplines, such incredible artists and knockout stars. Loved Tiler, Roman and Lex in Buzzard and Kestrel online and looking forward to the rest of Blake Works II and the other pieces. Can’t wait. 

Edited November 29, 2022 by Emeralds

[art_enthusiast]

Wow - this looks incredible.

[Jan McNulty]

Reminder press release:

 

Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends Sadler’s Wells Theatre, EC1R 4TN Thursday 9 - Saturday 11 March Tickets: £15-£85 Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com   Award-winning New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck presents the European premiere of Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends at Sadler’s Wells on Thursday 9 - Saturday 11 March 2023. With her personal touches on the evening, Peck has assembled many of today’s most exciting dance artists for an innovative programme. Originally conceived for New York City Center’s Artists at the Center series, the programme includes four pieces curated by Peck. Thousandth Orange choreographed by Peck is set to live music by Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw.  Swift Arrow by award-winning choreographer Alonzo King is a pas de deux featuring Peck and Roman Mejia with music composed by Jason Moran.    Time Spell is a collaboration between Peck and world class tap dancer Michelle Dorrance alongside Jillian Meyers, featuring a mix of ballet and tap with vocal accompaniment.    The programme closes with The Barre Project, Blake Works II, which marked the first creative partnership between Peck and acclaimed choreographer William Forsythe. Originally created for film and hosted online by Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage, it was produced by CLI Studios with music by James Blake and is now performed live. Tiler Peck said, “This programme is a love letter to my craft as a dancer and the manifestation of my total freedom as an artist. I grew up doing all styles of dance and am grateful that I get to incorporate all of them alongside best-in-class multidisciplinary dancers in a show that will undeniably be more than what people are used to seeing at the ballet with tutus and tiaras!”   Peck has been a principal dancer with New York City Ballet since 2009, and has appeared on stage and screen. She made her choreographic debut at the Vail Dance Festival in 2018. Peck is a recipient of the Princess Grace Statue Award, The Dance Magazine Award, and was named one of Forbes 30 under 30.    Featuring performances by: India Bradley, Michelle Dorrance, Jovani Furlan, Christopher Grant, Lex Ishimoto, Lauren Lovette, Brooklyn Mack, Aaron Marcellus, Roman Mejia, Jillian Meyers, Mira Nadon, Tiler Peck, K.J. Takahashi, Byron Tittle, and Penelope Wendtlandt.   Kindly supported by Blavatnik Family Foundation Image credit: Time Spell - Christopher Duggan NOTES TO EDITORS Listings Information Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends Sadler’s Wells, EC1 Thursday 9 - Saturday 11 March 2023 Tickets: £15-£85 Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com 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 About Tiler Peck  Tiler Peck (Curator, Dancer, & Choreographer) has been a Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet since 2009. Peck made her Broadway debut at age 11 as Gracie Shinn in The Music Man and was seen on Broadway as Ivy Smith in Tony-nominated On The Town. Peck originated the title role in Susan Stroman’s newest musical Little Dancer at the Kennedy Center and is attached to star in the Broadway production. Peck made her choreographic debut at the Vail Dance Festival in 2018 and has gone on to choreograph and appear in episodes of Tiny Pretty Things and Ray Donovan, and she recently choreographed the box office smash hit film John Wick 3. Most recently Peck curated and directed the highly anticipated inaugural Artists at the Center for New York City Center. This programme marked her NYC choreographic debut and featured premieres from William Forsythe, Alonzo King, Jillian Meyers and Michelle Dorrance.   Peck has appeared on Dancing with the Stars, twice on The Kennedy Center Honors, and in Live From Lincoln Center broadcasts of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker and in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. As a guest star, Peck was the first ballerina ever to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.    In film Peck has starred in Ballet Now, a Hulu documentary that followed her as she became the first woman to curate and star in The Los Angeles Music Center’s presentation of BalletNOW. Peck also appeared in Ballet 422, A Time for Dancing, and Donnie Darko. Peck is a recipient of the Princess Grace Statue Award, The Dance Magazine Award, and was named one of Forbes 30 under 30.    To keep the dance world connected during the pandemic, Peck developed a free ballet class #TurnItOutWithTiler that airs on her Instagram. Peck is the designer of a capsule collection of studio-to-streetwear clothing, Tiler Peck X STATESIDE, in collaboration with the popular Los Angeles-based company. Peck has released two children’s books with Simon & Schuster: Katarina Ballerina and Katarina Ballerina & The Victory Dance.    Peck can be seen in Disney+’s The Hip Hop Nutcracker and Josh Groban’s Great Big Radio City Show PBS special that both premiered on 25 November 2022.  www.tilerpeck.com @TilerPeck About William Forsythe  William Forsythe (Choreographer) has been active in the field of choreography for over 50 years. Forsythe’s work is presented internationally, and is situated between performance, and visual arts. About Alonzo King  Alonzo King (Choreographer) calls his works “thought structures” formed by the manipulation of energies that exist in matter, through laws which govern the shapes and movement directions of everything that exists. Named a choreographer with “astonishing originality” by the New York Times, King has created works for Frankfurt Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Ballets de Monte-Carlo, Bejart, Hong Kong Ballet, Hubbard Street, Joffrey, Royal Swedish, San Francisco Ballet, and others. Named a Master of Choreography by The Kennedy Center in 2005, King has received the Jacob’s Pillow Creativity Award, the Irvine Fellowship in Dance, Bessie Award, Doris Duke Artist Award, and Isadora Duncan award. King is the recipient of a 2020 Dance Magazine Award and holds Honorary Doctorates from Juilliard, Dominican University, and California Institute of the Arts. About Jillian Meyers  Jillian Meyers (Dancer & Choreographer) is a Los Angeles-based dancer and choreographer. Meyers works at the nexus of commercial, stage, film, and site-specific performance. From choreographing Hozier’s Work Song to multiple tours with Janet Jackson, Meyers was also an assistant choreographer for the award-winning film, La La Land. Meyers most recently wrapped the second season on the NBC show, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, as an episodic co-choreographer. Meyers wears many hats, and both reconciles and indulges in all of these disciplines in her collaborative ongoing genre-bending project, The Seaweed Sisters. About Michelle Dorrance  Michelle Dorrance (Dancer & Choreographer) is a New York City-based tap dancer, choreographer, director, teacher, music-maker, and is the founder/Artistic Director of Dorrance Dance. Mentored by Gene Medler (North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble), she studied under many of the last master hoofers of the jazz era. Solo career highlights include STOMP, Savion Glover’s ti dii, IMAGINE TAP, Charlie’s Angels/Chasing the Bird, and the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Choreographic commissions include Martha Graham Dance Company, Vail Dance Festival, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Center, Works & Process at the Guggenheim, and recent choreographic Broadway debut, Flying Over Sunset. A MacArthur Fellow, Ford Foundation Art of Change Fellow, Doris Duke Artist, Princess Grace, and Bessie Award winner, Dorrance holds a B.A. from the Gallatin School at New York University. About Aaron Marcellus  Aaron Marcellus (Composer & Musician) a singer, vocal coach, writer, musician, dancer, and actor from Atlanta got his start in gospel music and has performed around the world. Marcellus has recorded albums and was voted top 24 on American Idol in 2011. After a world tour, Marcellus featured in a ChapStick commercial, NBC's Next Caller, and STOMP. Marcellus also hosts a burlesque show at Duane Park. Marcellus founded Surrender to Love (LLC), a foundation that supports arts programmes and seeks to feed the hungry and Adventure Voice, a training programme offering vocal classes for groups and individuals. About Penelope Wendtlandt Penelope Wendtlandt (Composer & Musician) is a multidisciplinary performer originally from Germany. Wendtlandt’s favourite credits, along with being a former company member of STOMP, are performing with Dorrance Dance at New York City Center and at the Guggenheim Museum. Wendtlandt created a new role in the immersive show The Fallen Saint and most recently composed and performed the live score accompaniment for the new play The Historical Range of Ursus Americanus at Columbia University, made entirely with voice, body percussion, and a kick drum on her loop pedal. With a background in multi-form dance, music, and theatre Wendtlandt is currently finishing her first solo EP inside armour and is continuing to develop and perform her solo show insider armourdirected by Michelle Dorrance. About Caroline Shaw  Caroline Shaw is a musician who moves among roles, genres, and mediums, trying to imagine a world of sound that has never been heard before but has always existed. Shaw is the recipient of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize in Music, several Grammy awards, an honorary doctorate from Yale, and a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. Shaw has worked with a range of artists including Rosalía, Renée Fleming, and Yo Ma, and she has contributed music to films and tv series including Fleishman is in Trouble, Bombshell, Yellowjackets, Maid, Dark, and Beyonce’s Homecoming. About Jason Moran Jazz pianist, composer, and artist Jason Moran was born in Houston in 1975 and earned a degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Jaki Byard. Upon graduation, he studied with Andrew Hill and Muhal Richard Abrams. He began an 18-year relationship with Blue Note Records, producing nine highly acclaimed recordings. Moran’s groundbreaking trio, The Bandwagon (with Tarus Mateen and Nasheet Waits) is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary.   Moran’s performances with Cassandra Wilson, Charles Lloyd, and the late Sam Rivers reveal the scope of his musical partnerships. His work with visual artists is extensive, including projects with Adrian Piper, Joan Jonas, Glenn Ligon, Adam Pendleton, Lorna Simpson, and Kara Walker. He has been awarded fellowships from the MacArthur Foundation, United States Artists, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and Ford Foundation.   In 2018, Moran had his first solo museum exhibition at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, which traveled to the Whitney Museum of American Art in September 2019. Moran is currently the artistic director of Jazz at the Kennedy Center, programmes concerts for Park Avenue Armory, and teaches at New England Conservatory. About James Blake  Producer, singer, and songwriter James Blake became known for his unique style, which wrapped aching, gently sung R&B vocals around the deep bass and minimal rhythmic elements of dubstep. Blake arrived in 2009 with a series of 12" singles and achieved both critical acclaim and worldwide fame following his self-titled 2011 album. His renown continued to rise over the next several years, and he collaborated with pop icons including Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Bon Iver. Blake’s second album, 2013's Overgrown, earned him the prestigious Mercury Prize. Commercial success worldwide came in the mid-2010s, with high chart placings (as well as critical praise) for 2016's The Colour in Anything and 2019's Assume Form. 2021 saw Blake issue his fifth long-player, Friends That Break Your Heart, which included features from SZA, JID, SwaVay, and Monica Martin.

[Tango Dancer]

Thanks for the reminder.  I've just booked for this.  It looks really interesting.  

[Emeralds]

In the very teeny tiny small print, it casually mentions that Lauren Lovette and Jovani Furlan will be joining Tiler on the tour. It doesn’t mention that both are brilliant young principal dancers with NYCB - although Lovette has recently left her full time dancing position at NYCB to concentrate on her choreography career while still very young and at the peak of her dancing power. Although she has accepted occasional invitations to dance in various events, it is rare for her to jet abroad to dance, so this is gold dust!

 

Jovani Furlan is a young Brazilian who previously danced with Miami City Ballet and rose up the ranks to become principal in 2018. He joined in NYCB in 2019 and became a principal last year, and I’ve heard great reports about his dancing so if NYCB aren’t touring here soon, it’s a great way to see a few of their stars and other artists in what looks like fun and lively choreography (an excerpt of Blake Works 2 -companion piece to Blake Works 1 which ENB recently presented twice- is online and isn’t just good; it’s astonishing and jaw droppingly  brilliant).

 

Sadler’s Wells and dance aficionados have been very keen to have Tiler dance in London- she is a versatile and extraordinary ballerina who can do anything....rather like Marianela Nunez, Tamara Rojo and Bonnie Langford combined in the same person! PS for anyone following the recent threads today/yesterday and was wondering while reading this.....choreographer Justin Peck is no relation to Tiler Peck.  It is very coincidental that they both dance at the same company at the same time though! -and NYCB has often had siblings in the company concurrently (eg the Duell brothers, the Roy sisters, the Angle brothers, the Fairchild siblings, the Stafford siblings, the Tracey sisters, the Kirkland sisters, etc). Can’t wait to see this unusual and exciting programme.

Edited January 11, 2023 by Emeralds

[art_enthusiast]

Just curious about Sadler’s Wells seating - I understand the CC/DD rows in the stalls cut off the feet, but if you’re in the BB row of the stalls does your view then get blocked by someone’s head in front (I’m not a tall person). I would be interested to know, if it’s better to go for the first circle front row or the ones on the sides of the first circle.

Not sure where the seating thread went so just putting this here

[LinMM]

I’d go for front row of the First Circle it’s a very good view from there! 
Be careful of seats too much on the side though …they are the cheaper ones but when I sat there there was some restricted view and it did get tiresome turning ones head in one direction after about half an hour!! 

[Emeralds]

I wouldn’t buy any double alphabet seat in the Stalls for this show, ie not AA, BB, CC,DD etc. The show has a small cast with only a handful of dancers per piece, and their virtuosity is spectacular (there’s tap dancing as well from Dorrance and her choreography)- the feet in this show make up about 60%of the show (not the usual 40% for classical ballets) and not being able to see them loses the wow factor unless you’re very tall eg 6 feet 2 inches and above. It’s also likely someone being tall seated in front can obscure your view.

 

For this show front few rows of Dress Circle or even Second Circle are better. If Second Circle is too far back (or Seats too small/cramped) for your liking, and you don’t want to use binoculars, the side seats on both those levels are closer to the stage and you can place your (loose, individual) chair at an angle so that you don’t have to twist your neck too much. They are slightly restricted view but with such a small, fleet footed cast, they’re not likely to spend a lot of time in the back corners or sides, although they will probably move speedily around the stage a lot. The Stalls rows further back eg C to H will offer very good close up views still. 

[LBC]

The LBC are delighted to have secured an ‘in conversation’ via Zoom with Tiler ahead of these shows.  

Monday 20 February 2023 
 

https://www.tlbc.org.uk/events/in-conversation-with-tiler-peck-via-zoom

 

Zooms are free to members.  Non-members are very welcome to join us by booking access via this link. 

Edited January 13, 2023 by LBC

[art_enthusiast]

On 12/01/2023 at 21:26, Emeralds said:

I wouldn’t buy any double alphabet seat in the Stalls for this show, ie not AA, BB, CC,DD etc. The show has a small cast with only a handful of dancers per piece, and their virtuosity is spectacular (there’s tap dancing as well from Dorrance and her choreography)- the feet in this show make up about 60%of the show (not the usual 40% for classical ballets) and not being able to see them loses the wow factor unless you’re very tall eg 6 feet 2 inches and above. It’s also likely someone being tall seated in front can obscure your view.

 

For this show front few rows of Dress Circle or even Second Circle are better. If Second Circle is too far back (or Seats too small/cramped) for your liking, and you don’t want to use binoculars, the side seats on both those levels are closer to the stage and you can place your (loose, individual) chair at an angle so that you don’t have to twist your neck too much. They are slightly restricted view but with such a small, fleet footed cast, they’re not likely to spend a lot of time in the back corners or sides, although they will probably move speedily around the stage a lot. The Stalls rows further back eg C to H will offer very good close up views still. 

 

Thanks so much for this detailed response. I understand the feet are really important for this piece! I also don't want to risk having my view blocked by anyone in front. I'm looking at, if not the front row of the first circle, the sides from SG18-23.

[Emeralds]

3 hours ago, art_enthusiast said:

 

Thanks so much for this detailed response. I understand the feet are really important for this piece! I also don't want to risk having my view blocked by anyone in front. I'm looking at, if not the front row of the first circle, the sides from SG18-23.

You’re welcome! 😊 (I also meant First Circle rather than Dress Circle as you rightly guessed.) Yes, I’ve sat in those SG seats and the further forward you are the more restricted you could be if the dancers go all the way to the side or a back corner, but it’s less restricted than, for example, the balcony boxes and much less restricted than the lower and upper slips at ROH. The rake in the first and second circles of Sadler’s Wells between each row is more substantial than at ROH from what I’ve experienced, so you’re less likely to be blocked in second or third row, but if you can still get first row seats, that’s the safest bet.

[SheilaC]

For anyone in two minds about attending the show at Sadler's Wells, just take a look at Buddy's Lyrical Dance today- 2nd link 'a quick glimpse- Who Cares?'  It shows an old clip of Tiler Peck dancing magnificently a solo from Balanchine's Who Cares. It's far from my favourite Balanchine ballet but Tiler is amazing in it, performing for one of Balanchine's most charismatic ballerinas, Pat McBride, who also used to dance that solo spectacularly.

Tiler's an extraordinary dancer, well worth catching in a rare performance in the UK.

[Bruce Wall]

To ADD to what Sheila said - MIRA NADON - is I think a name you won't forget easily.  On Tuesday night in the opening programme of the NYCB winter season she replaced Sara Mearns in the Stravinsky Violin Concerto and WHOLLY NAILED IT IN A HISTORIC FASHION.   So impressed were the State Theater audience that they wouldn't stop clapping after she completed the first Aria.  That pair HAD to take a second stage bow - which almost NEVER happens at NYCB.  She happily is coming with Tiler to London for her programme at Sadler's Wells.  Roman Mejia danced supremely last night in Valse-Fantaisie opposite the divine Indiana Woodward - and he, too, is appearing at Sadler's Wells.  Very young KJ Takahashi was presented with the Janice Levin Award before the start of the opening on Tuesday and dedicated it to his brother who has epilepsy who he quoted as his inspiration.  It was very moving.  He danced stunningly over the last two nights in Donizetti Variations with first Megan Fairchild (gloriously renewed after both her Broadway stint and motherhood x2) and (last night) the ever miraculously fast-of-flight Tiler Peck herself.  A BIG PLUS:  If you've NOT seen Jovani Furlan - that too is another reason to attend.  Think Frola in his regard and I promise you won't be disappointed.  

[ChrisG]

If anyone's interested, Tiler Peck is featured in the latest episode of the NYCB podcast City Ballet, talking to Jared Angle about Balanchine's Allegro Brillante - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/city-ballet-the-podcast/id1479330738?i=1000594647387

 

You can actually see her dancing the whole piece on YouTube where somebody has posted the video of it that NYCB put out during the first lockdown. Watching it again it's definitely become one of my favourite Balanchine pieces!

[Candleque]

Tiler has such a charismatic personality, along with her buckets of talent. She's my fave ballerina on TikTok (think she cross-posts many of the clips on Instagram) as she does both ballet and cheeky collabs with dancers of all kinds, proving her reputation for versatility. I imagine her Sadler's Wells show will incorporate this infectious fun attitude. 

[Dawnstar]

I gather this programme won't be classical ballet but does anyone know the pieces & can say what sort of style they are? I'd be potentially be interested in going if the choreography is, well, nice & enjoyable but I wouldn't want to book & find I'd let myself in for a couple of hours of miserable contemporary writhings around with everyone dressed in grey.

[Bruce Wall]

Downstar, you can see the piece - or at least sections of it - that Tiler choreographed at Vail last season online I believe.  With the core of this team of dancers I don't think you would be disappointed - but then I don't know your tastes.  Certainly anything remotely like Mayerling it wil NOT be - it will be pure dance in a very NYC way.  Have you enjoyed the Forsythe that you've seen ENB do?  You may, of course, feel that this not to your taste.  Certainly it will be diverse - so nothing will last too terribly long - and I have always found Tiler Peck in the things she has produced has very good taste - much as when she herself dances - even if today - given all the injury she has suffered - it doesn't have that devil-may-care sheen it once did.  To my eyes it remains supreme.  In my book, she is a class act.  I will attach the link that Sheila above referred to from Balanchine's Who Cares?  -

If you don't find this 'nice and enjoyable' then Tiler's may very well not be the programme for you.  Here is the music for Tiler's ballet - You can sample that too:  (although it may not be fair to the dance just sharing the music at this stage.)  

Tiler is actually dancing the Allegro Brillante that ChrisG mentions tonight, tomorrow night and at the Sunday matinee.  I will be at all and simply can't wait.  Plus she is dancing with Mejia which is a thrill unto itself.  Again, he will be joining her as part of the team at Sadler's Wells.

 

Edited January 20, 2023 by Bruce Wall

[Dawnstar]

Thanks for your reply @Bruce Wall. In terms of my tastes, what I want to check is it won't be comprised of pieces in the style of Pite's Flight Pattern or the McGregor & Toonga works I really disliked in the RB's Diamond Celebration programme. I don't expect plot a la Mayerling in a programme of short works though. I've not seen any Forsythe before, by ENB or anyone else, so I'm afraid I don't have that as a reference point. I like the Who Cares? clip. I would describe that as "nice and enjoyable". I can't say the Thousanth Orange music sounds very interesting to my ears but it's inoffensive & not too loud at any rate.

[Bruce Wall]

Hi Dawnstar, Not entirely certain how best to answer your questions.  What I will say - and will leave off here as I am very busy I fear with my work - is that ALL of the choreography in Tiler's programme - short of that in the piece she does with Dorrance which, of course, will be tap influenced - will be CENTRED on BALLET.  The creative artists you mention associated with the Covent Garden teams all hail from a rooting in contemporary dance.  That certainly will be a key difference.  Again, that too may not be to your taste.  I really can't tell but I, for one, would be willing to take the punt.  The artform - even ballet - has to move on.  If it doesn't it will I fear perish.  

[Dawnstar]

15 minutes ago, Bruce Wall said:

Hi Dawnstar, Not entirely certain how best to answer your questions.  What I will say - and will leave off here as I am very busy I fear with my work - is that ALL of the choreography in Tiler's programme - short of that in the piece she does with Dorrance which, of course, will be tap influenced - will be CENTRED on BALLET. 

 

That definitely sounds good! Thank you.

[serenade]

3 hours ago, Dawnstar said:

I gather this programme won't be classical ballet but does anyone know the pieces & can say what sort of style they are? I'd be potentially be interested in going if the choreography is, well, nice & enjoyable but I wouldn't want to book & find I'd let myself in for a couple of hours of miserable contemporary writhings around with everyone dressed in grey.

Sorry it might have already been mentioned and I've missed it but there's a trailer for the programme on the Sadler's Wells website in case that also helps.  It helped me make a decision about whether to go.

[Dawnstar]

15 hours ago, serenade said:

Sorry it might have already been mentioned and I've missed it but there's a trailer for the programme on the Sadler's Wells website in case that also helps.  It helped me make a decision about whether to go.

 

Thanks. I evidently didn't read the page thoroughly enough when I looked at it yesterday, as I scrolled past assuming that was just another picture of Peck. I like most of the dancing shown in the trailer - apart from a brief moment of what looks like breakdancing - but I can't say I like the music.

Edited January 21, 2023 by Dawnstar

[Bruce Wall]

Just a brief note to say that last night Tiler Peck and - my, oh, my - Roman Mejia (in his case a chip BEYOND his father's old block) - personified balletic excitement.  Of course the crowd went wild.  Peck was as ever luxuriant in her phrasing with an almost regal control.  This afternoon in the same slot will see the glorious Indiana Woodward and Joe Gordon in the Donizetti Variations.  What a STAR he has become.  He was, of course, always talented but NOW!  One of the most thrilling things - evident is so much of the NYCB fare - is to see the NYCB men in canon.  It is a sight and sound to behold.  They land silently (unlike the ensembles and soloists in many other companies - and this largely thanks methinks to the training that Stanley Williams so stunningly began at Balanchine's invitation).  They are always in respect of the music - and in total unison.  The strength of their stealth is palpable and is always met with a potent roar from the admiring crowd.   

[Emeralds]

Tiler’s programme choices won’t contain miserable writhing in grey-definitely no miserable and writhing. She’s always showcased glorious works that show the joy and magic of dance- all kinds of dance, but principally her favourite, ballet. She’s danced and acted on Broadway (the lead roles in Little Dancer and performed tap, street dance with Lil Buck (I’m not normally into street dance or breakdancing but I loved what they performed), and also classical pieces like a Le Corsaire pas de deux that simply blows all Corsaires one has ever seen out of the water!

 

For anyone curious about why some of us are getting all excited over Tiler, do have a look at the Vail Dance Festival videos on YouTube released by the Vail Dance Festival team  with Tiler and lots of fellow artists, innovators and virtuosos in some very unique performances and collaborations. I don’t ski, but it really makes me wish I could take a trip to Vail! (While we’re at it, I think Alistair Spaulding should just invite/commission Damian Woetzel to come over to Sadler’s Wells too, along with some Vail regular artists. The nation needs a shot of Damian’s vision, intelligence, integrity, spunk and calm ingenuity.)

[Bruce Wall]

On 22/01/2023 at 13:25, Emeralds said:

Tiler’s programme choices won’t contain miserable writhing in grey-definitely no miserable and writhing. She’s always showcased glorious works that show the joy and magic of dance- all kinds of dance, but principally her favourite, ballet. She’s danced and acted on Broadway (the lead roles in Little Dancer and performed tap, street dance with Lil Buck (I’m not normally into street dance or breakdancing but I loved what they performed), and also classical pieces like a Le Corsaire pas de deux that simply blows all Corsaires one has ever seen out of the water!

 

For anyone curious about why some of us are getting all excited over Tiler, do have a look at the Vail Dance Festival videos on YouTube released by the Vail Dance Festival team  with Tiler and lots of fellow artists, innovators and virtuosos in some very unique performances and collaborations. I don’t ski, but it really makes me wish I could take a trip to Vail! (While we’re at it, I think Alistair Spaulding should just invite/commission Damian Woetzel to come over to Sadler’s Wells too, along with some Vail regular artists. The nation needs a shot of Damian’s vision, intelligence, integrity, spunk and calm ingenuity.)

And it would be great too if Damian could bring his illustrious wife, Heather Watts, herself a former NYCB Principal (like her husband) and protégé of Balanchine.  Together they are a VERY potent team. 

[Emeralds]

As reported in the NY Times today (see Dance Links) and by the Vail Dance Festival FB page, Mira Nadon and Roman Mejia have been promoted to principal dancer at New York City Ballet after their excellent performances this season and previously. Very exciting that these two young stars are coming with Tiler Peck to perform at Sadler’s Wells next week ! 

[alison]

Very much expected, from what I've read about them in a short period of time, but congratulations to both.