English National Ballet's new triple bill in London revisits mid-20th century New York dance spirit
English National Ballet has premiered a new triple bill at Sadler's Wells in London, pairing a George Balanchine classic with two newly commissioned works. The program draws on the dance heritage of mid-20th century New York.
English National Ballet (ENB) has presented a new triple bill at Sadler's Wells in London, evoking mid-20th century New York, when George Balanchine was shaping a new American ballet style while Harlem venues such as the Cotton Club and the Savoy showcased swing dancing and performers including the legendary Nicholas Brothers.
A tribute to Balanchine
The program opens with Balanchine's 1972 work "Symphony in Three Movements," created as a memorial to Igor Stravinsky, though the score itself dates from 1945. The English National Ballet Philharmonic, conducted by Maria Seletskaja, delivered a powerful rendition. Dancers Swanice Luong, Emma Hawes and Ksenia Ovsyanick portrayed a trio of sharply competitive characters.
Two world premieres
American choreographer Micaela Taylor created the new piece "Bow Out," inspired by the acrobatic tap duo performance in the 1943 film "Stormy Weather." The work blends classical ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap and Lindy hop, set to jazz music alongside a new score by Philip Patrick Harper Bucknor, known as Tru.
The second premiere comes from choreographer Jae Man Joo, who is originally from Korea but has worked in New York for three decades. His piece relies on ritualistic, mass-unison movement and is set to two compositions by Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks, combined with Korean beopgogongyang drumming. The work's title, "Auguries of Innocence," is drawn from William Blake's poem reflecting on humanity's moral failures and destruction of nature. The production runs at Sadler's Wells until 3 October.
