Half a century later, Alvin Ailey
American Dance Theater is one of the finest contemporary companies in
the US. Training in ballet and jazz as well as African American styles, these
are powerful, and powerfully expressive, dancers.
In fact if there’s been quiet criticism of recent tours,
it’s been that the dancers outclass the repertory. But new director Robert
Battle is busily adding new works, so the Alvin Ailey
London tour includes more than a few UK premieres.
Offering four varied programmes, each will close with
Ailey’s own Revelations, a rich
exploration of joy and sorrow in the soul via gospel and holy blues, and the
most widely seen work of contemporary dance in the world.
In Programme A, we’ll be looking out for Christopher
Wheeldon’s After the Rain. A
light-as-air duet originally created for New York City Ballet, we can’t wait to
see how it looks on the versatile Alvin Ailey dancers.
Just to emphasise that versatility, Programme A also brings
Rennie Harris’ spiritual hip hop work Exodus.
Paul Taylor’s Piazzolla
Caldera reworks the sensual tango spirit for modern dance in Programme B.
Aszure Barton, who recently choreographed for English
National Ballet’s She Said programme,
has designed LIFT with the full
company, which will show alongside Battle’s exuberant Awakening and Ailey’s 1971 classic solo Cry, created as a birthday present for his mother, in Programme C.
Programme D is a schools matinee featuring an excerpt from Night Creature.
This is a rare opportunity to see a company that changed the
history of American dance, and no Londoner should miss out.
You can also catch the Alvin Ailey dancers in the Royal Ballet's triple bill devoted to Wayne McGregor, here.
| What | Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Sadler’s Wells |
| Where | Sadler's Wells, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TN | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Angel (underground) |
| When |
06 Sep 16 – 17 Sep 16, Times vary, check programme for details |
| Price | £12-45 |
| Website | Click here to book via the Sadler's Wells website |
