There's a bumper crop of ace dance shows coming up in May, with Sadler's Wells proving its prime position as 'London's Dance House'. Whether you're a B-girl, ballet boy or avant-garde aficionado book now.
Spring Loaded: The Place
A season of fine fresh contemporary dance, this programme is bursting with talent, cutting edge choreography and innovation. Read our preview. 4 May-8 June, tickets £6-13.
Flawless: Chase the Dream, Peacock Theatre
Catapulted into the public eye via Britain’s got Talent, Flawless are returning to the stage with Chase the Dream. If you liked these guys in StreetDance 3D or you’ve happened to catch them at Breakin’ Convention then you’re in for a treat – as winners of the World Dance Champion title this crew will not disappoint even the most die-hard of Hip Hop fans. 10-28 May. Tickets £12-28.
Speaking of hip hop: Breakin' Convention takes over Sadler's Wells on Bank Holiday weekend, 28 April-2 May.
Northern Ballet: Cleopatra, Sadler's Wells
If you think you’re working hard to have it all catch Northern Ballet’s Cleopatra at Sadler’s Wells. This formidable woman juggled a country, lovers and a serious beauty regime well before London ladies realised that life can be rather exhausting. Choreographed by Northern Ballet Artistic Director David Nixon with a score composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg of Miss Saigon, Les Misérables fame this ballet could help put the demands of modern day life into perspective. 17-21 May, tickets £10-40.
Rambert Dance Company: Sadler's Wells
In celebration of Rambert’s 85th anniversary they’re bringing the ‘naughty boy of dance’, Paul Taylor, to remind us that this now rather safe contemporary dance company has a very rebellious past. Taylor’s Roses will sit along side Hietta Horn's Cardoon Club and Tim Rushton’s Monolith’s in what looks to be setting up Rambert’s next 85 years as dance rebels but hopefully not one’s without a cause. 24-28 May, tickets £8-38.
Bern:Ballett: Clara/Howl, ROH2
Switzerland’s Bern:Ballett is back at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Studio Theatre with two new works. One examines relationships through a love triangle around Johannes Brahms and the other the US involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. 25-28 May, tickets £8.20 (standing) to £19.40.
Sum of Parts: Sadler's Wells
The biggest names of the London dance scene, choreograph for a cast of 200 people of all ages and experience — all people living and working in London. Connect is a product of Sadler's Wells creative learning department and Sum of Parts will be a great performance to attend if you’re looking to get involved in dance or want to dip your toe into the vast pool of dance talent available on the Sadler’s Wells stage. Find out more. Sum of Parts performance on 31 May, tickets £10.
By Libby Costello and Lindsey Clarke
Image of Simon "Shock" Smith of Flawless by Eric Richmond, courtesy of Sadler's Wells.
