Press Release: Sadler's Wells joins WWF Earth Hour, 28 March

[Jan McNulty]

Sadler’s Wells Switches out the Lights for Earth Hour, 28 March 2015

 

Sadler’s Wells will take part in Earth Hour on Saturday 28 March 2015, a symbolic lights out event organised by WWF, uniting individuals, schools, businesses, landmarks and public buildings across the globe to focus attention on protecting the planet.

 

The theatre - a world leader in contemporary dance - will switch off all external lights, including external architectural lighting of the building and signage, between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, joining forces with thousands of iconic landmarks around the world. Earth Hour has become a global event since it began in 2007, and last year 162 countries and 7000 towns and cities participated.

 

Joining Earth Hour is one of many initiatives undertaken by Sadler’s Wells in a drive to increase the sustainability of the building and its operations. Sadler's Wells is committed to reducing its energy demand, CO2 emissions and waste consumption across all departments.

 

Emma Wilson, Sadler’s Wells’ Director of Technical and Production and Chair of the theatre’s Sustainability Committee, said: “We are very pleased to be taking part in Earth Hour. It is an important gesture and it reflects our endeavour as an organisation to reduce our energy use and commit to sustainable working practices. We will continue to strive to make further changes in the foreseeable future.”

 

In 2014, the theatre carried out a number of technical refurbishments, with support from Arts Council England, designed to reduce energy demand and CO2 emissions. Electricity at Sadler's Wells is now purchased from 100% renewable sources. A switch to low energy dimmable LED house lights in the main auditorium and increased use of LED units in stage production lighting is one of the venue’s largest energy saving initiatives. Sample data comparing 2013/14 and 2014/ 15 Christmas seasons shows a 19.5% reduction in electricity use year on year.

 

Working in partnership with Islington Council, Sadler's Wells has a waste management system to monitor general and recyclable waste. Additionally, 95% of staff at Sadler’s Wells travel to and from work by public transport, and the theatre has a Cycle to Work scheme to encourage employees to cycle if possible.

 

Later this month, photovoltaic cells will be fitted to the roof of the building to generate energy. Other works planned for Spring/ Summer 2015 include ventilation upgrades to the Lilian Baylis Studio, and replacement of boilers and the Building Management System.

 

 

Notes to editors:

 

About Earth Hour

Earth Hour, organised by WWF, is a worldwide grassroots movement uniting people to protect the planet. Last year was the biggest yet, with hundreds of millions of people taking part across a record 162 countries and 7,000 towns and cities alongside world famous landmarks from the Sydney Opera House to Times Square in New York. This year Earth Hour will be held on 28 March 2015 between 8.30pm and 9.30pm. wwf.org.uk/earthhour

 

About WWF

WWF is one of the world’s largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than one hundred countries. Through engagement with the public, businesses and government, the organisation focuses on safeguarding the natural world, creating solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature thrive. wwf.org.uk.

 

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, three Resident Companies and an Associate Company 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.