Press Release: Swans and Snowmen grace the stage at Sadler's Wells this Christmas

[Jan McNulty]

Swans and Snowmen grace the stage at Sadler's Wells this Christmas   Herbie Knott    Festive classics return this Christmas season to Sadler’s Wells Theatre, the Peacock Theatre and Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage, including Birmingham Rep’s The Snowman, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake and Ballo Arthur Pita’s The Little Match Girl.     Birmingham Rep kicks off the Christmas season with its family festive classic The Snowman. Now playing its 27th year at Sadler’s Wells’ home in the West End, the Peacock Theatre, The Snowman runs for six weeks from Saturday 23 November 2024 – Saturday 4 January 2025.      A magical stage adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Raymond Briggs and the film directed by Dianne Jackson, The Snowman continues to enchant audiences of all ages, transporting them to the wonderland of a boy and a snowman who comes to life.     The Snowman features music and lyrics by Howard Blake, including the song 'Walking in the Air’, all played by a live orchestra. It has choreography by Robert North, is directed by Bill Alexander and designed by Ruari Murchison, with lighting by Tim Mitchell.       Johan Persson    New Adventures presents Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake at Sadler’s Wells Theatre from 3 December 2024 – 26 January 2025.     Matthew Bourne's audacious, rule-breaking reinvention of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece caused a sensation when it premiered almost 30 years ago.  Thrilling, bold, witty and emotive, it is still best known for replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, which shattered convention, turning tradition on its head. It has now become the most successful dance theatre production of all time, creating new audiences and inspiring generations of young dancers. In celebration of that ongoing impact, Swan Lake returns in a major new revival, as the next generation of dancers brings it to new audiences.    First staged at Sadler’s Wells in 1995, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake has been performed across the globe, collecting over 30 international accolades including the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production and three Tony Awards for Best Director of a Musical, Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.      Matthew Bourne is a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist     TMAX-Productions  Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s traditional tale and with a powerful message at its heart, Ballo Arthur Pita’s The Little Match Girl, originally created for the stage has been made into a high-quality film for Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage. Teachers can register now to have access for free from Monday 7 October 2024 to Friday 31 January 2025. Pupils can enjoy world-class dance from the comfort of their classroom, along with accompanying teacher resources and CPD for those working at Key Stage One and Key Stage Two.     A snowy stage sets the scene for an icy cold Christmas eve, where the little match girl paces the emptying streets, desperately trying to sell her matches. Along her journey she encounters kindness and cruelty in a fable about family, friendship and hope. With a powerful message at its heart, The Little Match Girl reminds us of the importance of kindness and to consider those less fortunate than ourselves. The classic tale is brought to life with music, dance and some unusual instruments.   You can find out more here: The Little Match Girl 2024 - Ballo Arthur Pita - Sadler's Wells Digital Stage (sadlerswells.com)    To access the film and the resource pack sign up here    Listings Information      Birmingham Rep   The Snowman    Peacock Theatre, WC2   Saturday 23 November 2024 – Saturday 4 January 2025   Tickets: From £18   Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com      Relaxed Performances: Wednesday 4 December at 2:30pm    Audio Described Performances: Saturday 14 December at 7:00pm    Touch Tour: Saturday 14 December at 7:00pm     New Adventures    Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake   Sadler’s Wells Theatre, EC1R 4TN    3 December 2024 – 26 January 2025  Tickets: From £15   Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com          Ballo Arthur Pita’s   The Little Match Girl   Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage    Teachers can register now to have access for free from Monday 7 October 2024 to Friday 31 January 2025  https://www.sadlerswells.com/digital-stage/       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.       Sadler’s Wells East     In 2025 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 new Rose Choreographic School and the hip hop theatre training centre, Academy Breakin’ Convention.     Sadler’s Wells East joins the rich cultural heritage of Stratford, opening in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park as part of the East Bank development alongside the BBC, UAL’s London College of Fashion, UCL and the V&A. Sadler’s Wells East will support artist development and training, and the creation of new work. It will build the infrastructure for dance and make it accessible to more people. Sadler’s Wells East will house a flexible theatre presenting a wide variety of dance performances. Community will be at the heart of Sadler’s Wells East with a large open foyer that can be used by everyone as a meeting or performance space. There will also be dance studios and world-class dance facilities for dancemakers to train, create and rehearse productions.      Supporting artists    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.      Learning and community links    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

[FionaM]

Any hint of guest artists n MB Swan?   Matthew Ball was the last guest to perform the lead role. 

[San Perregrino]

1 minute ago, FionaM said:

Any hint of guest artists n MB Swan?   Matthew Ball was the last guest to perform the lead role. 

It’s a new generation of (young) swans going by all the publicity. That would suggest costs are being minimised so entirely possible there won’t a guest artist. Mathew Ball ended up injuring himself on or close to opening night last run and was out for an extended period even missing out on the filming opportunity. 

[FionaM]

9 minutes ago, San Perregrino said:

It’s a new generation of (young) swans going by all the publicity. That would suggest costs are being minimised so entirely possible there won’t a guest artist. Mathew Ball ended up injuring himself on or close to opening night last run and was out for an extended period even missing out on the filming opportunity. 

yes I remember, I had a ticket for one of his cancelled shows which I went to anyway.  Can’t remember off hand who I did see.  It’s such a great show that I’m not sure it matters,  

 

 I did catch Matthew later in the run when he had (fortunately) recovered.  He was super.  

[Jan McNulty]

10 minutes ago, FionaM said:

yes I remember, I had a ticket for one of his cancelled shows which I went to anyway.  Can’t remember off hand who I did see.  It’s such a great show that I’m not sure it matters,  

 

 I did catch Matthew later in the run when he had (fortunately) recovered.  He was super.  

 

We saw him in front of his home crowd in Liverpool.  The atmosphere was unbelievable!!  We were so lucky to be there.  He was, as you say, super.