Nederlands Dans Theater 2 Mixed Bill at Sadler's Wells

Last seen in the UK in 2012, Nederlands Dans Theater 2 (NDT2) follows in the nimble footsteps of Nederlands Dans Theater. Both companies are renowned for their unique brand of virtuoso classical ballet technique infused with contemporary dance, sleek ensemble work and intriguing creativity.

The 18 international dancers who will perform as NDT2 are aged 18 to 23 years old. Touring as NDT2 is giving them the opportunity to test their wings before soaring to a place in the main company. Still, their relative youth should in no way result in lowered expectations – these exceptional dancers are determined to excite and entertain with a dazzling tour programme.

The mixed bill comprises Schubert (a UK premiere), Sad Case, Some Other Time (a second UK premiere), mutual comfort, Solo and Cacti - although the selection does remain subject to alteration.

Three of these showcase the choreographic relationship between NDT’s artistic director Sol León and NDT2’s artistic director Paul Lightfoot.

First from León & Lightfoot is Schubert. This emotional and highly technical balletic pas-de-deux conveys a love story between a man and a woman and is danced to Schubert’s String quintet in C - Adagio.

Sad Case, originally created for NDT in 1998, has stood the test of time and remains a firm favourite within their repertory. Set to Mexican mambo music, it shows a continual search for the tension between satirical and classic moments.

Rounding off the León and Lightfoot collaborations is Some Other Time. A white floor and black costumes highlight the contrasting feelings the dancers portray in this balletic exploration of dance language, expressed through pas-de-deux pairings and solo passages.

Romanian choreographer Edward Clug’s mutual comfort emphasizes the personal experiences that arise from the process of creation. The piece features detailed, sharply defined movement and clear acknowledgement of rhythmic beats.

Hans van Manen was NDT’s resident choreographer from 1988 until 2003. His contribution, Solo, is a seven minute, fast-paced ballet. Set to Johann Sebastian Bach’s Violin Partita, Solo features three male dancers who portray a single man re-examining his place in the world.

Finally, Swedish-born choreographer Alexander Ekman’s Olivier Award-nominated Cacti sees sixteen dancers immerse themselves in a stirring soundscape as they become the instruments of an orchestra.

Clearly, fans of dance in London are in for a treat with this vibrant assortment of works, cherry-picked to lay bare the fresh exuberance and astonishing athleticism of the junior division of one of the world’s most celebrated contemporary dance companies.