Sadler's Wells launches 2024 programme

They say variety is the spice of life… well, it's certainly the spice of Sadler's Wells' programme for the first half of 2024. Contemporary dance and ballet, kathak, flamenco, hip-hop, Latin and dance-theatre all figure. Some are new productions, including three world premieres, some mark the return of Sadler's Wells favourites; some are one-off shows, some part of established festivals such as Elixir,Breakin' Convention and the residual London Mime Festival.

It's a packed programme, full details of which you can find on the Sadler's Wells website.

What follows is Culture Whisper's necessarily short selection of some of the most mouth-watering programmes the north London dance house has in store for us.

• We are particularly excited about a rare visit from New York City Ballet, Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 March 2024
Set up by the great Russian choreographer George Balanchine, it's one of the most thrilling ballet companies in the world. It brings a mixed bill of works by Balanchine, alongside some of the very best choreographers working today: Justin Peck, Pam Tanowitz and Kyle Abraham. It's unmissable and it will sell out quickly, so early booking is advisable. More info and tickets here.

• Part of Mime London (the residual organisation of the sadly defunct London Mime Festival), Ockham Razor presents Tess – Wednesday 31 January to Saturday 3 February 2024
The famed circus and physical theatre company adapts Thomas Hardy's classic novel Tess of the d'Ubervilles. More info and tickets here.

• Company Wayne McGregor, Autobiography (v95 and v96) and UniVerse: a Dark Crystal Odyssey, Tuesday 12 to Saturday 16 March 2024
Sadler's Wells associate artist Wayne McGregor reprises two contrasting works: the abstract, heavily science-based Autobiography (Tuesday 12 & Wednesday 13 March), and the dreamily narrative UniVerse (Friday 15 & Saturday 16 March), full of haunting images. More info and tickets here

• Kidd Pivot, Assembly Hall, Wednesday 20 to Saturday 23 March 2024
Canadian choreographer du jour Crystal Pite returns with her own company, Kidd Pivot, in another punchy collaboration with playwright Jonathon Young, to follow on from their mega-hits Betroffenheit and Revisor.More info and tickets here.

• Special children's holiday entertainment comes to the Peacock Theatre courtesy of English National Ballet School, with My First Ballet: Swan Lake, Thursday 4 to Saturday 13 April 2024 (more info and tickets here); and to the Lilian Baylis Studio courtesy of balletLORENT with Velveteen Rabbit, Friday 5 & Saturday 6 April 2024 (more info and tickets here)

• The ever-young Spanish guitar virtuoso, Paco Peña, and his small company bring back their latest transporting five-star work Solera – Wednesday 17 to Saturday 20 April 2024
For lovers of deep flamenco this is a must. More info and tickets here.

- And there's a not -to-be-missed chance to see the great Alina Cojocaru, former principal of The Royal Ballet and ENB, dance the lead role in Birmingham Royal Ballet's glorious The Sleeping Beauty on 25 and 27 April. Info and tickets here

• A Chorus Line – Wednesday 31 July to Sunday 25 August 2024
This is one Broadway hit musical that we never tire of watching. With music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Keblan, it features glorious songs such as What I Did for Love and some superlative dancing routines. Adam Cooper and Carly Mercedes Dyer reprise the roles of Zach and Cassie. More info and tickets here.