FOOD & DRINK, ARTS & CULTURE, LIFE & TRAVEL
This exceptional triple bill showcases the extraordinary talents of three distinguished Canadian choreographers: Crystal Pite, Emma Portner, and James Kudelka, promising an unforgettable journey through the world of contemporary ballet.
The East London Shakespeare Festival (ELSF), under the imaginative steersmanship of Ursula Early and Rosie Ward, co-artistic directors and the creative force behind the company, is poised to bring a fresh breeze of dramatic art to the parks and open spaces of East London this summer. Their adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing not only promises to be a visual delight set against a modern, summery Messina backdrop but also aims to strike a chord with audiences through its contemporary approach to Shakespeare’s work. The choice of the play speaks volumes about ELSF’s commitment to delivering performances that resonate with love, laughter, and the complexities of human relationships, drawing a direct line to the comedic heart of Shakespeare’s timeless narratives. This summer’s production is not just a retelling but a reimagining, infused with modern romantic comedy elements, promising an engaging blend of Shakespeare’s classic wit with the allure of contemporary romance narratives. The decision to integrate the character of Margaret as Messina’s resident lounge singer, thereby incorporating the Balthasar role, is a testament to ELSF’s innovative approach to adapting Shakespeare for modern audiences. This inventive twist not only adds a unique flavour to the production but also sets the stage for a truly immersive experience, underscored by music and the Mediterranean ambiance. Furthermore, ELSF’s ambition to make Shakespeare accessible and enjoyable to a wider audience, particularly to the residents of East London, reflects in their extensive community engagement program designed to run alongside the tour. By offering a plethora of activities and engaging directly with… Read More
This April, Sadler’s Wells becomes the beating heart of a unique celebration with the return of its much-anticipated Elixir Festival. Over two transformative weeks, the festival will dismantle the preconceptions surrounding dance and age, featuring a blend of performances, workshops, artist talks, and films. With its bold programme, Elixir poses a potent question to the public and the dance community alike: how do we articulate the evolution of our bodies and minds through the art of movement? The festival commences with a triple bill in the esteemed Sadler’s Wells Theatre, including the London premiere of the co-produced common ground[s], a profound duet by Germaine Acogny—often hailed as the ‘mother of contemporary African dance’—and Pina Bausch’s acclaimed associate, Malou Airaudo. This opening act sets the festival’s tone, promising a series of captivating narratives that speak to the essence of our shared human experience. Moreover, the roster features the world premiere of Ben Duke’s whimsically titled a trio for two dancers and a tortoise and concludes with Louise Lecavalier’s Blue, distilling the essence of her acclaimed piece, So Blue, into a striking solo performance. Adjacent to the main stage, the intimate Lilian Baylis Studio will host an exchange of talent and tales between Sadler’s Wells Company of Elders and ZooNation Youth Company. The studio will reverberate with the timeless rhythms of Merce Cunningham’s Story, reflecting the festival’s overarching theme of generational dialogue, while intergenerational duets and intimate explorations into the perspectives on ageing bodies will inject personal narratives into the festival’s artistic discourse. A vibrant contrast to… Read More
It was never going to be an easy feat to bring the magic of the blue, dusty, lamp-bound genie, a flying Arabic carpet and a mythical city to the small stage in the centre of London, but they did and now Aladdin has just turned three. Calling the Prince Edward Theatre ‘home’, the cast of Aladdin, led by Trevor Dion Nicholas as the wildly popular genie and Matthew Croke as Aladdin and Jade Ewan as Jasmine, Aladdin has been selling out the theatre to the tune of two million audience members since it first took to the stage. And to mark the occasion and the achievement, the audience of their third-year performance, were treated to a post-curtain appearance by the genie, who declared that each audience member that night would receive a limited edition poster commemorating the occasion. It’s a nice way to commemorate the accomplishment for the production that has cleverly and tastefully adapted the classic ’92 animated movie to the live stage with all the bells ‘n’ whistles you’d expect. Aladdin features the timeless songs from the 1992 animated film as well as new music written by Tony, Olivier and eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Little Shop Of Horrors). And the whole production even does a stellar job of reproducing the famed ride on ‘Carpet’, the magic carpet, which is a spectacle for every kid – and adult – in the room. Aladdin is on every night, so check out timings and book tickets at the Prince Edward Theatre website.
