Sadler’s Wells Sampled returns to Sadler's Wells
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
SADLER’S Wells starts the new year with the return of its dance taster festival, Sadler’s Wells Sampled, on Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1, 2020.
Featuring a range of world-class dance, foyer activities and live DJs, the festival gives audiences a chance to experience the broad range of dance presented at Sadler’s Wells at affordable prices, with proms style standing tickets available for just £5, and all other tickets at £20.
A regular fixture at Sadler’s Wells since 2007, Sampled features a wide variety of dance, including South Asian, hip hop, circus, contemporary and Argentine tango. Alongside the performances, audience members can also participate in an array of beginners’ workshops on Saturday, February 1 at Sadler’s Wells. Details will be announced soon.
Marking its Sadler’s Wells debut is Machine de Cirque bringing circus, spectacle and live music, with two charming and masterful performances. Direct from Quebec, the company returns to the UK later this year with performances at The Peacock from September 8 to September 26, 2020.
Solo performances come from two finalists of this year’s series of BBC Young Dancer. From the Street Dance category is competition winner Max Revell with his solo choreographed by Dickson Mbi, Unstrung. Throughout the process, Revell was mentored by Artistic Director of CRXSS PLATFXRM Ivan Blackstock and House of Absolute founder, Julia Cheng.
Mentored by Geetha Sridhar and Urja Desai Thakore, finalist of the South Asian Dance category Shree Savani dances Bharatanatyam solo, Devi.
From France, Géométrie Variable performs an excerpt of its signature style of popping combined with airtight tessellated formations. The company is also presenting as part of Breakin’ Convention’s UK tour in 2020.
A genre-defying blend of hip hop dance and free form antics, the Olivier Award-winning Botis Seva presents an extract of the latest edition of BLKDOG which explores the inner battlefield of an ageing artist trying to retain his youth. Performed by Seva’s powerhouse company Far From The Norm, BLKDOG searches for coping mechanisms in the ultimate hunt for acceptance.
The full-length work of BLKDOG begins its UK tour at Warwick Arts Centre on February 11, and can be seen at Sadler’s Wells on October 15 and October 16, 2020.
2015 World Tango Champions Ezequiel Lopez and Camila Alegre, two dancers from German Cornejo’s much-loved show Tango Fire, bring their whirlwind of fast feet and flourishes with the ever-popular Argentine tango.
The festival also includes work from Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Wayne McGregor, whose company, Company Wayne McGregor, performs an excerpt of his first commission for San Francisco Ballet in 2013. Borderlands was inspired by Josef Albers’ iconic square paintings.
For information on workshops and foyer activities, visit www.sadlerswells.com/.
NB: Workshops are £5 per person and are for participants aged 16 +. They can be booked via telephone on 020 7863 8000.