Media Release

The National Ballet of Canada Tours to London’s Sadler’s Wells

October 2 – 6, 2024

January 17, 2024… Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, and Barry Hughson, Executive Director, today announced that the company will tour to London, England’s Sadler’s Wells October 2 – 6 for the first time in 11 years. The National Ballet will perform a programme of works by acclaimed Canadian choreographers: Crystal Pite, James Kudelka and Emma Portner.  

"I am thrilled to be returning to Sadler's Wells as Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada. Sadler's Wells was my home theatre for many years when I was a dancer with Rambert Dance Company and I feel a unique connection to this iconic venue, having developed as an artist and performer there," said Muir. "It will always be a creative home for me, and I could not be more excited and humbled to be returning with our extraordinary company. This compelling programme which highlights not only the breadth of choreographic talent in Canada but is the perfect vehicle to showcase the versatility of our artists for London audiences who haven’t seen the National Ballet perform since 2013." 

Sadler's Wells is the UK's leading dance house dedicated to bringing the very best international and UK dance to London audiences and is committed to producing, commissioning and presenting works of the highest standards, crossing the boundaries between different art forms. 

“It is an honour to welcome The National Ballet of Canada back to the Sadler’s Wells stage with three outstanding Canadian choreographers, demonstrating the fantastic choreography and dance this company produces,” said Alistair Spalding, Artistic Director and Co-Chief Executive of Sadler’s Wells. 

Crystal Pite created Angels’ Atlas for the National Ballet in 2020 to rapturous reviews. Audiences and critics were blown away by the moving and visually stunning work. Unfolding against a morphing wall of light, the Globe and Mail called Angels’ Atlas “a glimpse into the infinite” and the Toronto Star added “human yearning is evoked powerfully onstage”. Set to original music by Owen Belton and choral pieces by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Morten Lauridsen, Angels’ Atlas is a profound work from one of the world’s leading contemporary choreographers. 

Celebrated Canadian choreographer James Kudelka explores relationships of love in Passion. Two couples each stylistically unique – one classical, the other contemporary – weave within the Corps de Ballet, evoking complex relationships of passion. A love story whose meticulous structure mirrors the music, Passion is to the first movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Concerto for Piano in D, Op. 61a. Passion recently made its company premiere in November 2023 in Toronto.  

islands is a sculptural duet for two women in which the dancers are joined, fusing their bodies together as one from genre-breaking choreographer Emma Portner. When islands premiered with Norwegian National Ballet in 2020, it was named a triumph. The work is set to an eclectic compilation of music by contemporary artists as well as original music by Forest Swords, bringing together hip hop, dub, guitar loops and electronic sampling for a rhythmic, avant-garde sound. islands will make its North American premiere in Toronto in March. 

The National Ballet last performed at Sadler’s Wells in 2013 with Alexei Ratmanksy’s Romeo and Juliet. 

About the London Tour

More About Sadler's Wells

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Philanthropic support for Angels’ Atlas is generously provided by An Anonymous Donor, Rosamond Ivey, Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin, The Producers’ Circle, The Volunteer Committee of The National Ballet of Canada and The Gail Hutchison Fund.    

Passion is generously supported by The Gail Hutchison Fund.
The National Ballet also acknowledges support provided by Anne-Marie Canning. 

Lead philanthropic support for islands is provided by The Catherine & Maxwell Meighen Foundation. 

The Producers’ Circle (2021): Gail & Mark Appel, John & Claudine Bailey, Inger Bartlett & Marshal Stearns, Laura Dinner & Richard Rooney, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, The Thor E. and Nicole Eaton Family Charitable Foundation, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Kevin Garland & Roger Garland, C.M., Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin, The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation, Anna McCowan-Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C., Judy Korthals & Peter Irwin, Mona & Harvey Levenstein, Jerry & Joan Lozinski, The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., The Harry & Lillian Seymour Family Foundation, Gerald Sheff & Shanitha Kachan and The Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation.  

Siphesihle November and Hannah Galway in Angels' Atlas. Photo by Karolina Kuras.  

The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Canada Council for the Arts; the Ontario Arts Council; the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council; the Government of Canada – Department of Canadian Heritage, through The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage; and the Government of Ontario through The Honourable Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

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