Sadler’s Wells Theatre is set to host the UK premiere of Specky Clark, the latest creation by the acclaimed choreographer and Associate Artist Oona Doherty. Running from Friday 9 to Saturday 10 May, the production marks a homecoming of sorts, bringing Doherty’s bold and evocative dance theatre to a London audience for the first time.
First premiering in Aix-en-Provence last November, Specky Clark blends biographical and fictional storytelling to explore Doherty’s family history. At the heart of the piece is her Great Great Grandfather Specky Clark and his arrival in Belfast. Through surreal, theatrical imagery, Doherty unravels family tales spanning docks work, backyard pig-keeping, abattoirs, and butcher shops, all threaded together with Irish mythology and folklore. Set on Samhain (Halloween), when the veil between worlds is thinnest, the production dives into questions of ancestry, identity, and the fragility of sanity.
Bringing this vivid vision to life is an international cast of nine dancers, with gender-swapped roles adding a modern twist. The production draws inspiration from sources as varied as Animal Farm, The Blind Boy Podcast, and Francis Bacon’s paintings. Mercury Prize-nominated Irish band Lankum provides the haunting soundtrack, while the creative team includes Maxime Jerry Fraisse on sound design, playwright Enda Walsh as dramaturg, Sabine Dargent as scenographer, and lighting by Doherty’s long-time collaborator John Gunning.
Excited to debut the work to a London crowd, Oona Doherty said, “This will be the first time Specky will play to an English speaking audience. I am super excited and curious to see how it lands here in London.”
Known for her raw, powerful style, Doherty has been making waves in contemporary dance, earning accolades such as the Venice Biennale Silver Lion and joining Sadler’s Wells as an Associate Artist in 2024. Her previous works, like Hard to be Soft – A Belfast Prayer and Navy Blue, have cemented her reputation as one of today’s most compelling choreographers.
Sir Alistair Spalding CBE, Artistic Director of Sadler’s Wells, shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming performance. “We are delighted to welcome back Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Oona Doherty for the UK premiere of Specky Clark, and bring this deeply personal piece of dance that showcases her unique choreographic style to our audiences.”
For those interested in digging deeper into Doherty’s creative process, the Friday 9 May performance will include a BSL interpreted post-show talk, offering further insight into the production.
Specky Clark is a Sadler’s Wells co-commission, and with just two performances scheduled, this is an essential date for dance lovers. Secure your tickets now for an evening of dance theatre that promises to be as thought-provoking as it is visually striking.
Specky Clark, Image Credit: Luca Truffarelli