In the final post of our miniseries, Judith Schrut takes a leap into London’s lively dance scene 2020.
Sadler’s Wells brings the world’s best dancers to its three London stages in 2020, with another cracking year of ballet, hip hop, tango, flamenco, Bollywood and cutting edge contemporary.
There’s been dance and body-based entertainment on Sadler’s Wells historic Islington site for over 300 years. Back in the 17th century, visitors to Sadler’s Wells might be entertained by jugglers, tumblers, rope dancers, ballad singers, wrestlers, fighters, dancing dogs and, reputedly, a singing duck.
Its 2020 season won’t include either dogs or ducks, but does have some splendid options for dance buffs. Look out for the annual Flamenco Festival, setting the stage alight with exciting figures from the global flamenco scene and culminating in the Gala Flamenca. Choreographer Akram Khan brings the world premiere of Creature, inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Tango After Dark will be a passionate display of Argentinian tango, including six world tango champions and a thrilling band. Sure to bring super-wows will be the extraordinary dancers of Cuba’s Ballet Revolucion as well as Cuban-born great Carlos Acosta’s first programme as director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet…and he’ll be dancing too. Breakin’ Convention, the international festival of hip hop, hits Sadlers Wells for an intense May weekend starring the world’s best hip hoppers, like South Korea’s gravity defying Jinjo Crew and French all women troupe, Paradox Sal.
The Victoria and Albert Museum’s dazzling (and FREE) Performance Festival arrives in spring, exploring dance of all kinds from across the world. Highlights include a colourful South Asian Kathak dance procession, a holographic dance performance, a 1920s themed social dance class led by Swing Patrol with live jive and swing music, a May Pole dance and loads of other performances, workshops, talks and tours.
For a deliciously daft dance treat, book early for Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker, in London and on its UK tour later this year. You’ll meet the yobby Gobstopper Boys, the Cheeky Marshmallow Girls and the Flamenco Licorice Allsorts, dancing their way through the Kingdom of Sweetieland to Bourne’s remarkable choreography and Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score.
This is the last post in our 2020 Vision miniseries, but only the beginning of another packed and exciting year of cultural treats in London. Hope you’ve been inspired to check out as many of these as you can!
