Press Release: Nederlands Dans Theater 1, Sadler's Wells, 1 - 4 July 2014

[Jan McNulty]

Nederlands Dans Theater 1: Sehnsucht / Schmetterling
UK PREMIERE 
Sadler's Wells, EC1R

Tuesday 1 - Friday 4 July 2014
Performances: 7.30pm
Tickets: £12 - £38
Ticket office: 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com

 

“When people say they don’t ‘get’ contemporary dance perhaps they should try NDT” The Independent

 

Nederlands Dans Theater is widely considered to be one of the most inventive and original dance companies in Europe. Comprising of two internationally renowned dance troupes, their premier group, NDT1, performs at Sadler’s Wells for the first time since celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2009. The company present the UK premiere of two works, Sehnsucht and Schmetterling from Tuesday 1 - Friday 4 July 2014.

 

Created by Spanish-British duo Sol León and Paul Lightfoot, Sehnsucht is a piece that relates to the German word meaning ‘longing’ or a kind of ‘intense missing’. Taking the concept as their inspiration, the duo have created an evocative new work that looks at the binding, transformative power of love.

 

León and Lightfoot’s second work is Schmetterling, meaning ‘butterfly’, suggesting the transitional nature of existence and the continuous crossing of paths between life and death. In this new piece duets and trios echo all types of possible love stories, with music by indie rock band Magnetic Fields as well as contemporary composer Max Richter.

 

NDT1 is known for combining virtuoso classical technique with intriguing visual sets and themes. Ever since this breakthrough in 1978 the company holds a firm position in the international dance scene and has built audiences all over the world, including London, New York, Madrid and Singapore. The company boasts a repertoire featuring works from master choreographers JiÅ�í Kylián, Hans van

Manen and Mats Ek as well as Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Crystal Pite.

 

Sol León joined NDT2 after graduating from the National Ballet Academy of Madrid in 1987. In 1989 she joined NDT1 and continued to dance up until 2003, when she decided to devote herself fully to choreography. León became artistic advisor of NDT in 2012.

Paul Lightfoot was educated at The Royal Ballet School in London. Lightfoot has been with Nederlands Dans Theater since 1985, first as a dancer, then as a choreographer together with Sol León. They became renowned choreographers and were appointed resident choreographers for the company 2002. To date, Lightfoot and León have created over 50 works for the company. Lightfoot became artistic director of NDT in 2011.

[osmum]

Dd and I went to see NDT last year. Absolutely blown away, we didn't think we could enjoy a contemporary performance as much as classical but this by far has been our favourite dance performance ever!!! We were in tears during the final piece (can't think of the name off hand but was performed using a revolving stage/rooms looking into people's lives)

[osmum]

And I can't believe how cheap the tickets are we paid £90 for B reserve. You guys are so lucky!!!

[Angela]

Hi osmum, the piece with the revolving rooms was "Shoot the moon", I suppose, also by Lightfoot/León.