Ballet Black, Heroes, Barbican Theatre
Ballet Black returns to the Barbican with its new double bill, Heroes
Ballet Black. Photo by ASH
Ballet Black has been working to highlight the talent of dancers of Black and Asian descent and to commission new and interesting work for 22 years, in the process acquiring a solid reputation and an enthusiastic and loyal audience.
Heroes, the double bill that marks the company's season premiere at the Barbican, is made up of a brand new work by Sophie Laplane, choreographer in residence at Scottish Ballet, and a recent hit by Ballet Black's own dancer and choreographer Mthuthuzeli November.
November's piece The Waiting Game dates from 2020 and is a vibrant work bursting with ideas and references and inspired by Samuel Beckett's theatre of the absurd. It focuses on one man, who seems paralysed by his own indecision, until a motley group emerges to tease and challenge him. It's danced to a soundtrack composed and assembled by November himself, featuring voiceover by company dancers.
Sophie Laplane is a hugely talented choreographer, whose dazzingly original work Dive, inspired by the French artist Yves Klein's signature colour, an intense blue that became known as International Klein Blue, was created and filmed during lockdown.
For Ballet Black Laplane has created If At First. Set to a medley of music that ranges from Beethoven to Tom Harrold, its starting point was a work by the American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, called Eroica, in which he explored the concept of heroism. Laplane considers the quieter heroism of everyday life, the struggle against adversity common to all humanity.
If At First is Sophie Laplane's second commission for Ballet Black, following on from her very well received 2019 piece CLICK!
Ballet Black programmes tend to sell out quickly, so early booking is advisable.
Age Guidance: 7+
Heroes, the double bill that marks the company's season premiere at the Barbican, is made up of a brand new work by Sophie Laplane, choreographer in residence at Scottish Ballet, and a recent hit by Ballet Black's own dancer and choreographer Mthuthuzeli November.
November's piece The Waiting Game dates from 2020 and is a vibrant work bursting with ideas and references and inspired by Samuel Beckett's theatre of the absurd. It focuses on one man, who seems paralysed by his own indecision, until a motley group emerges to tease and challenge him. It's danced to a soundtrack composed and assembled by November himself, featuring voiceover by company dancers.
Sophie Laplane is a hugely talented choreographer, whose dazzingly original work Dive, inspired by the French artist Yves Klein's signature colour, an intense blue that became known as International Klein Blue, was created and filmed during lockdown.
For Ballet Black Laplane has created If At First. Set to a medley of music that ranges from Beethoven to Tom Harrold, its starting point was a work by the American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, called Eroica, in which he explored the concept of heroism. Laplane considers the quieter heroism of everyday life, the struggle against adversity common to all humanity.
If At First is Sophie Laplane's second commission for Ballet Black, following on from her very well received 2019 piece CLICK!
Ballet Black programmes tend to sell out quickly, so early booking is advisable.
Age Guidance: 7+
TRY CULTURE WHISPER
Receive free tickets & insider tips to unlock the best of London — direct to your inbox
| What | Ballet Black, Heroes, Barbican Theatre |
| Where | Barbican Theatre, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, E2CY 8DS | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Barbican (underground) |
| When |
15 May 24 – 19 May 24, 19:45 Sun at 15:00 only. Dur.: 1 hour 35 mins inc one interval |
| Price | £15-£39 |
| Website | Click here to book |