William Forsythe, A Quiet Evening of Dance, Sadler's Wells

Like him or loathe him, the impact of the American choreographer William Forsythe on the evolution of ballet cannot be overstated. A maverick, Forsythe brought a deconstructionist approach to ballet, cleverly using its orthodox language only to push it to its limits – and beyond.

Typical to Forsythe are intricate patterns, off-centre balances, energetic leaps to pulsating electronic music, and sudden stops in the action, as the dancers face the audience with a grin and a shrug of the shoulders. At its best, Forsythe’s work is simultaneous mind-blowing and maddening.

Sadler’s Wells audiences last had the opportunity to see work by Forsythe in ENB’s Voices of America programme, which included the world premiere of Playlist (Track 1, 2), a work created especially for the company, which closed the programme and fairly brought the house down.

For A Quiet Evening of Dance at Sadler’s Wells Forsythe is in a meditative mood. Conceiving the programme of old and new works, prepare for an evening of chamber music with a narrow, less bombastic focus.

All highly cerebral, nonetheless. Seven of Forsythe’s most trusted collaborators will interpret works which, we’re promised, range from sparse analytic condensation to baroque inspired counterpoint.

At least one of the works, Catalogue (First Edition) will do without musical accompaniment altogether, the two dancers’ breathing marking the tempi of their intricate gestures.

Forsythe’s work is not for everyone; but those interested in going behind the surface and acquiring insights into how ballet really works won’t want to miss A Quiet Evening of Dance.