Press Release: Sadler’s Wells, the world's leading dance organisation, celebrates its 25th anniversary this October

[Jan McNulty]

 

Sadler’s Wells celebrates 25^th anniversary this October

 

 

The world’s leading dance organisation, Sadler’s Wells, celebrates the 25^th anniversary of its current building this October.

 

Over the last 25 years Sadler’s Wells has presented 1,870 productions to audiences of almost seven million. Since becoming a producing houseSadler’s Wells has helped bring over 200 new productions to the stage.

 

Sadler’s Wells’ current building, designed by Nicholas Hare Architects, is the sixth theatre to exist on the site in Angel, Islington, the first of which opened 340 years ago in 1683. The 1998 building was the result of a major fund-raising drive by audiences, artists and supporters, and Sadler’s Wells was an early beneficiary of National Lottery Funding. This aided the transformation from the dilapidated but much-loved pre-War building to a state-of-the-art centre for dance.  

 

Having been led by Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Sir Alistair Spalding since 2004, Sadler’s Wells has become one of the most important dance organisations in the world. It gives people the opportunity to watch, engage and enjoy dance in all its forms across its three stages: the Sadler’s Wells stage, Lilian Baylis Studio and at the Peacock Theatre in London’s West End, as well as touring its own productions across the UK and around the world.

 

Of the 25^th anniversary, Sir Alistair Spalding commented: “To have inherited this wonderful theatre from those who fought for its renewal has been a gift. That we have made it a place to celebrate the extraordinary art form of dance and choreography for the last 25 years I hope has honoured that initial vision.”

 

Putting dance artists at the centre of its work is key to Sadler’s Wells’ mission. Among its 17 Associate Artists are Sylvie Guillem, Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi Cherkoui, Wayne McGregor, Sir Matthew Bourne and Crystal Pite. Alongside this are three Resident Companies, four Associate Companies and three National Partner Companies that work to strengthen the dance sector across the UK.

 

Sadler’s Wells’ popular festivals include Breakin’ Convention, celebrating hip hop dance theatre, the Flamenco Festival, showcasing the very best talent from the world of flamenco, and Family Weekend, offering audiences opportunities to engage with dance at an early age.

 

In 2018 Sadler’s Wells launched a Young Associates scheme providing support for early year artists aged 18-24 over a two-year period. Sadler’s Wells is also the host organisation for National Youth Dance Company (NYDC). Launched 10 years ago, NYDC brings together the brightest young talent from across the country to work with internationally renowned companies and choreographers and perform on the Sadler’s Wells stage and on tour.

 

Recent major Sadler’s Wells productions include Jules Cunningham’s how did we get here? featuring Spice Girl Melanie C in her first dance performance, and the Olivier Award-winning TRAPLORD by Ivan Blackstock. 

 

Sadler’s Wells opens its new venue, Sadler’s Wells East, next year as part of a new cultural district in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. With a 550-seat theatre, hip hop theatre academy and choreographic school this will further Sadler’s Wells’ commitment to creativity and innovation. 

 

In its anniversary month Sadler’s Wells offers audiences the chance to see a wide range of dance across its three stages, including ballet, contemporary, South Asian, African, Argentinian, hip hop, and flamenco. For more information see www.sadlerswells.com

 

Notes to Editors

 

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 more than 200 new dance works to the stage, embracing both the popular and the unknown. Our acclaimed productions tour the world. Since 2005 we’ve produced 64 new full-length works and performed to audiences of more than two million, touring to 51 countries.

 

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 2024 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 

 

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[alison]

I was thinking only the other day when I was there that this anniversary was coming up, and remembering being there on opening night, way past the scheduled start time, waiting for them to get permission signed off so that they could actually start the show.  Can't believe it's been that long, but I'm very thankful for all the dance - and other things - I've been able to see there.

[Jan McNulty]

9 minutes ago, alison said:

I was thinking only the other day when I was there that this anniversary was coming up, and remembering being there on opening night, way past the scheduled start time, waiting for them to get permission signed off so that they could actually start the show.  Can't believe it's been that long, but I'm very thankful for all the dance - and other things - I've been able to see there.

 

Was it Rambert that opened the theatre Alison?  I was only able to go to the Saturday matinee and have desperately trying to remember what it was I saw.

[DelphiumBlue]

I remember seeing Rambert in a revival of the breathtaking Ghost Dances in the ‘ new’ Sadlers Wells . Was that in the opening programme? 
 

[Emeralds]

Ooh wow- 25 years! I actually remember the old/previous building, which the press release says is the fifth building. Hmm, the press release doesn’t mention BRB performing Hobson’s Choice, Flowers of the Forest/Miracle in the Gorbals, Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote, Giselle, Forgotten Land/Hotel/Seventh Symphony etc there which were all incredible, Akram Khan’s Giselle, William Forsythe’s Playlist (Track 1,2) and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Broken Wings for ENB  having their premieres there and what popular pieces they’ve become. Or San Francisco Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Tiler Peck enjoying great success there. 

[Ondine]

9 hours ago, Jan McNulty said:

The world’s leading dance organisation, Sadler’s Wells, celebrates the 25^th anniversary of its current building this October.

 

I went to a Saturday matinee October 31st 1998  Les Patineurs, Birthday Offering, Enigma Variations.  Heady days when Ashton wasn't a rarity! Can't recall who was dancing, must look it up.

 

I vividly remember a building not quite completed, with bare wires dangling overhead where light fittings were missing.

 

 

Edited September 25, 2023 by Ondine

[alison]

9 hours ago, Jan McNulty said:

 

Was it Rambert that opened the theatre Alison?  I was only able to go to the Saturday matinee and have desperately trying to remember what it was I saw.

 

Rambert the first week - do I remember correctly that they were having to rehearse in face masks because of the dust?  The Royal Ballet had it relatively easy, as they were the second company to perform there.

[Ondine]

There was dust still yes.  It wasn't really QUITE ready to open.  One of the friends I was with was Chief Techie (he had a posh title, but that describes it) at a major London theatre and he was horrified at the wires dangling above our heads!

 

I've probably still got the programme somewhere. It was very near my birthday so I was delighted they were performing Birthday Offering!

 

https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/a492d8e6-7501-3a7b-ab10-6d8b62b2727e?component=85df17e6-6fd5-3a06-a630-ee5af8e586b9