Press Release: The Associates - Pite, Shechter, Prince - 5 - 8 Feb at Sadler's Wells

[Jan McNulty]

The Associates

Crystal Pite/ Kate Prince/ Hofesh Shechter

Thursday 5 - Sunday 8 February 2015

Tickets: £12 - £29

Ticket Office: 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com

 

Sadler’s Wells’ Associate Artists represent some of the most dynamic and exciting talent working in contemporary dance today. For this programme, three Associates present new and critically acclaimed work at Sadler’s Wells from Thursday 5 - Sunday 8 February 2015.

 

The Associates, produced by Sadler’s Wells, celebrates the tenth anniversary of the first appointments of Associate Artists by Artistic Director and Chief Executive Alistair Spalding in 2004.

 

He said: “The appointment of the first Associate Artists 10 years ago was a defining moment for us: from a receiving dance house only, Sadler’s Wells became a home for artists, who would create exciting new work within our walls. Since then, we have brought to the stage over 90 productions, many of which have toured around the world. The Associates are a vital part of what we do and this new production celebrates this special relationship, while showcasing the unique style and approach to creating dance of each of the three artists featured.”

 

Newest Associate Artist Crystal Pite presents A Picture of You Falling, a duet for a man and a woman. It centres on Pite’s fascination with the shared narratives that live in our bodies, the familiar repetitive storylines that move across cultures and generations, and the body’s role as illustrator.

 

Inspired by the complex beauty of baroque music, Hofesh Shechter presents his new work, the barbarians in love, set in a sparse world in which six dancers move with mathematical precision and passion.

 

Completing the bill is another new work, SMILE, choreographed and performed by Tommy Franzén and directed by Associate Artist Kate Prince. Inspired by the song Smile, originally composed by Charlie Chaplin, the piece looks behind the smiling face of one of the world’s greatest entertainers.

 

Sadler's Wells Associates are key to the artistic vision for the theatre. The appointment of the first associates marked the transition of the venue from receiving house to producing house, and firmly established it as the foremost dance theatre in the UK. Sadler's Wells Associates work alongside other collaborators and dancers to develop concepts for large-scale pieces.

In addition to Crystal Pite, Kate Prince and Hofesh Shechter, Sadler’s Wells’ other 13 Associate Artists are Matthew Bourne, BalletBoyz, Wayne McGregor, Jasmin Vardimon, Christopher Wheeldon, Jonzi D, Sylvie Guillem, Michael Keegan-Dolan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Akram Khan, Russell Maliphant composer Nitin Sawhney and lighting designer Michael Hulls.

 

A Sadler’s Wells Production

 

The Monument Trust supports co-productions and new commissions at Sadler's Wells

 

 

About Sadler’s Wells

 

Sadler's Wells is a world leader in contemporary dance, committed to producing, commissioning and presenting new works and to bringing the very best international and UK dance to London and worldwide audiences. Under the Artistic Directorship of Alistair Spalding the theatre’s acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap. Since 2005 it has helped to bring over 90 new dance works to the stage and its international award-winning commissions and collaborative productions regularly tour the world. Sadler’s Wells supports 16 appointed world class Associate Artists and 3 Resident Companies and nurtures the next generation of talent through its National Youth Dance Company, Summer University programme, Wild Card initiative and its New Wave Associates.

 

Located in Islington in north London, the current theatre is the sixth to have stood on the site since it was first built by Richard Sadler in 1683. The venue has played an illustrious role in the history of theatre ever since, with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Opera all having started at Sadler’s Wells.

 

Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and currently receives approximately 9% of its revenue from Arts Council England.