Sadler’s Wells has a feast of dance productions taking place this summer half term, especially catered for families and designed to give kids a taste of modern dance.
The Lilian Baylis theatre hosts a specially programmed triple bill, Half Term Break from 22 to 24 May. Designed to appeal to a younger audience, it combines a mix of different styles in three short, exciting performances.
Opening the show is Monty Python inspired dance duo Rannel, with their work Flhip Flhop – Everything Happens On The Break. Combining hip-hop and household objects, they twist everyday monotonous actions into a dynamic, comical performance.
Second on the bill is Random Dance Company, performing an excerpt from its most recent work Entity, shown in its entirety at Sadler’s Wells earlier this year. Choreographed by Wayne McGregor, the piece explores how the human body can express itself through his unique, sharp, fast style. Random Dance Company is known for its groundbreaking approach to dance, crossing the genre with film, music, visual art, technology and science.
Kenrick H20 Sandy and Vicky Skytilz from London dance group Boy Blue, conclude the programme with their powerful hip-hop piece The Unusual Force.
Half Term Break promises to be an entertaining and exciting introduction to modern dance for children over the age of 8 and parents alike. Speaking about the production, Emma Gladstone, the programmer of Half Term Break, said “Younger audiences deserve the best of what’s out there, and this is it.”
Also at Sadler’s Wells, Rambert Dance Company will perform a new production of Siobhan Davies’ popular work Carnival Of Animals, as part of a special Saturday family matinee on 24 May in the main house. The piece is set to the music of Saint-Saëns and has been rejuvenated for the 21st century by renowned English choreographer Davies. The performance includes an introductory talk by members of the artistic team, specifically aimed at families, and will conclude with the London premiere of Doug Varone’s Scribblings – a dynamic and humorous piece set in an off-kilter world.
CM