Annual Review 2017–18 Annual Review 2017–18 Review WellsSadler’s Annual

Contents

02 Foreword 04 Highlights 2017–18 07 Working with artists 08 Producing and presenting great dance 18 Forging strategic partnerships 22 Touring our productions 25 Nurturing talent 29 National Youth Dance Company 30 New Wave Associates 33 Summer University 34 Wild Card 37 Breakin’ Convention 39 Engaging audiences 41 Dance for all 45 Reaching our audiences 47 Making it happen 48 Fundraising 51 Our people and places 51 Providing opportunities 51 Generating income 52 Sustainable development 54 How we are funded 56 Sadler’s Wells Trust and Foundation; ambassadors; Fellowship; artists and companies; co-producers 57 Support 58 Sadler’s Wells staff 60 Photography credits 2 Foreword

As a national and international dance house, our mission at Sadler’s Wells is to lead in the creation and sharing of inspiring dance that broadens people’s horizons. We enable artists of all backgrounds to make work that reflects and responds to our humanity and we share this with the widest possible audiences – to enrich their lives and deepen their understanding of the world around us.

This year we helped bring to the stage 16 productions and co-productions and presented more than 800 performances all over the world to audiences of over 650,000. We took our work to new and existing audiences digitally and on tour, including livestreaming Rosie Kay’s 5 SOLDIERS: The Body is from an Army base in and bringing 15 Sadler’s Wells the Frontline productions to 56 different venues in 19 countries. We recorded over 34,000 attendances to our participatory activities and offered £3 tickets to almost 1,500 people from low-income households in our local borough, Islington.

We celebrated creative talent by appointing a new Associate Artist, Sharon Eyal; inviting Julie Cunningham, L’atisse Rhoden and duo Project O to join our New Wave Associates; and launching a new artist development initiative for budding dance makers, the Young Associate programme. We continued to inspire young people with our learning and engagement programmes, including a new dance pilot at Mossbourne Riverside Academy, a primary school in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Plans for our new venue in east London have been progressing, reaching the final stage of design in autumn this year. Earlier in the summer, we were delighted to take part in the Mayor of London’s launch of his vision for the new cultural and education district that we will be part of, now named the East Bank project.

We strengthened our commitment to supporting artists based outside London by appointing Akaash Odedra Company, balletLORENT and Phoenix Dance Theatre as National Partner Companies, while The Movement – our co-producing partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome and The Lowry, Salford – allowed regional audiences to experience high‑quality, large-scale productions they wouldn’t have been able to enjoy otherwise.

We would like to thank Sadler’s Wells staff, our family of associate artists and companies and our many generous supporters and donors for their enthusiasm and efforts – you make the theatre the creative, vibrant, relevant and ultimately successful place it is today.

Nigel Higgins Alistair Spalding CBE Chairman Artistic Director and Chief Executive

3 Highlights 2017–18

816 3 performances in the UK New Wave Associates appointed: and internationally Julie Cunningham, L’atisse Rhoden and Project O 662,714 4 audiences worldwide, including 529,714 Young Associates appointed: in London Anthony Matsena, Wilhelmina Ojanen, Ruby Portus and Christopher Thomas 16 124 new dance works commissioned UK and international artists commissioned, or produced including choreographers, composers, designers and dramaturgs 15 50% Sadler’s Wells productions toured to of Sadler’s Wells audiences were first 56 venues in 19 countries, with 167 time bookers performances given to 133,000 people

1 70% Associate Artist appointed: Sharon Eyal income from box office receipts

4 86,569 66% people came to see Matthew Bourne’s increase in Instagram followers over the Christmas period, Cinderella with a 94% capacity 4,315 21% people enjoyed the 14th edition of hip hop increase in Facebook followers festival Breakin’ Convention at Sadler’s Wells, with a further 3,500 joining the 5th free Park Jam in Spa Fields, Islington 3 4 ,18 3 20% attendances to our participatory activities increase in YouTube subscribers, with 31% increase in views and 44.5% increase in shares 5,629 people saw National Youth Dance Company perform Tarantiseismic as part of their national tour 338 hours of studio space offered in kind to dance artists (= 42 days)

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Working with artists Producing and presenting great dance

Over the course of 2017-18, we presented 649 performances to over 529,700 people across our three London auditoria: Sadler’s Wells’ main stage and the Lilian Baylis Studio in our building in Islington, and The Peacock theatre in the West End.

We helped to bring 16 new dance works to life, including productions by three of our Associate Artists: Hofesh Shechter, Wayne McGregor and BalletBoyz. The UK premiere of Hofesh Shechter’s presented a high-octane vision of the Grand Finale end of the world, at once apocalyptic and comic, performed by 10 dancers and six live musicians.

“Shechter has broadened his canvas and allowed elements of contemplation and tenderness to rebalance the visceral, raging spectacle that typifies much of his work. A mature and magnificent work.”

Neil Norman, The Stage, on Grand Finale

In which had its world premiere on Autobiography, our stage, Wayne McGregor explored the concept of identity through an innovative collaboration with world-leading geneticists. He took inspiration from memories and influences in his life to create 23 pieces of choreography – in reference to the 23 chromosome pairs that make up the human genome. His own genome was mapped by the scientists, with the resulting sequence converted into a computer algorithm. Each day, the algorithm’s calculation determined the order of the dance sections, with a different selection performed every time.

Michael Nunn and William Trevitt’s BalletBoyz presented their programme Fourteen Days. The first part of the evening was made of four new works commissioned to choreographers Javier de Frutos, , Iván Pérez and our Associate Artist Christopher Wheeldon. Each choreographer collaborated with a different composer to create an original work dealing with the theme of balance, in just 14 days. The second half featured a performance of an award‑winning piece commissioned Fallen, for BalletBoyz in 2013 to our Associate Artist Russell Maliphant, with lighting design by fellow Associate Michael Hulls.

8 9 10 11 12 Among other shows we co-produced were international speakers shared ideas about the pioneering dance maker Shobana Jeyasingh’s value of older dancers, the role of heritage in a radical reinterpretation contemporary dance and changing perceptions Bayadère – The Ninth Life, of Marius Petipa’s La Bayadère that questioned of age in dance. The festival was delivered as the West’s exotic representations of India, and part of Dance On, Dream On, Pass On (DOPODO), Boris Charmatz’s immersive piece a European‑wide partnership aimed at promoting danse de nuit, which we presented outdoors in Queen Elizabeth the valuing of older people in society. Through Olympic Park. A response to the Paris terrorist DOPODO, we presented Berlin‑based Dance attacks of 2015, the production saw six dancers On Ensemble in Matteo Fargion’s 7 Dialogues. perform at Here East’s multi-storey car park after dark, with audiences following them across In the summer, we were delighted to welcome the space. our Associate Artist Akram Khan’s back DESH to our stage, where it had its London premiere Israeli choreographer Sharon Eyal was invited in 2011. The performances marked the last time to become our latest Associate Artist. Following he performed the celebrated full-length solo. her debut on our stage in 2016 with Our Associate Company OCD Love, performed by her company L-E-V, her piece returned with Khan’s award-winning version of was featured in a triple bill by Ballet British in the autumn. Bill Giselle Columbia in March. During the year’s school holidays, she worked with National Youth Dance Sadler’s Wells’ major new in-house productions for Company as Guest Artistic Director (see p. 29). 2017-18 were our International Associate Company Acosta Danza’s and Debut Dystopian Dream, Breakin’ Convention returned over the May Bank a theatrical realisation of our Associate Artist Holiday for its 14th edition, taking over Nitin Sawhney’s 2015 album of the same name, the building with workshops, MCs and graffiti art. co ‑devised with dancers and choreographers The festival showcased the best hip hop dance Honji Wang and Sébastien Ramirez. theatre from the UK and around the world. This year’s lineup included spectacular acrobatics from South Korea’s Just Dance; intricate, “Beg, borrow or steal a ticket. origami‑inspired moves from the all‑female Fly to Cuba if you miss them here.” Canadian crew Tentacle Tribe; and upbeat, fast ‑paced performances by London collectives Laura Freeman, Evening Standard, on Debut the Locksmiths and Boy Blue Entertainment. Park Jam, the free event closing the festival, saw 3,500 people from the local communities crowding We were thrilled to launch Carlos Acosta’s new Spa Fields throughout the Bank Holiday Monday. company, Acosta Danza, in Havana in the spring. The ensemble is made up of the best dancers In June, we delivered the second Elixir Festival: from Cuba, half of whom are trained in ballet and four days of performances, workshops and half in contemporary dance. The aim is for them events recognising the contribution to the art to perform creations by Cuban choreographers form made by older dancers. It opened with little known outside the country, by Spanish a mixed bill of work made and and Latin American choreographers, and by KnowBody II, performed by older artists. Annie-B Parson and international dance makers accomplished in Paul Lazar choreographed a new piece for the blending ballet and contemporary movement Elixir Ensemble, a group of former dancers in their language. With Valid Productions, we produced mid ‑50s to late-80s. Eminent choreographer the company’s first programme of new repertoire, Robert Cohan and Martin Welton collaborated which had its sold-out UK premiere at Debut, on a reimagining of the former’s Sadler’s Wells in September. The evening featured Forest Revisited, 1977 work with a cast including five works by Cuban choreographer Marianela Forest, former London Contemporary Dance Theatre Boán, Spanish dance‑makers Jorge Crecis dancers and five alumni of the National Youth and Goyo Montero, Dance Company (NYDC). Our Company of Elders resident choreographer Justin Peck and our performed a new piece by Shobana Jeyasingh. Associate Artist Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui – whose beautiful new duet, was performed by Mermaid, In the Lilian Baylis Studio, Elixir Extracts Carlos Acosta and company dancer Marta Ortega. showcased 20 non-professional older adult With costumes designed by Hussein Chalayan, dance groups from the UK and Europe, including the piece featured music composed by Woojae our community dance group Silver Routes, Park, a regular collaborator of Cherkaoui. Holland Dance (the Netherlands) and Skånes Dansteater (Sweden). At the Elixir Conference,

13 14 15 16 Inspired by concepts woven through Sawhney’s In November, we presented the Darbar Festival, album and directed and performed by which for the first time since its founding in Wang Ramirez, premiered 2006 comprised both Indian classical music Dystopian Dream at Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg in and dance, with the latter programme being September. With projections by Nick Hillel, curated by Akram Khan. The event included costumes by Hussein Chalayan and singing by 11 performances across our main stage and the Eva Stone, the show combined choreography, Lilian Baylis Studio, involving acclaimed stars live music and theatre to explore themes of loss, such as sitar player Nishat Khan, renowned isolation, surrender and continuity. This was the artists like Aditi Mangaldas, Mavin Khoo and sixth production brought to the stage by Sadler’s Seeta Patel, as well as emerging talents such Wells in collaboration with Les Théâtres de la Ville, as Dheerendra Tiwari. making the Luxembourg venue the co-producer we have worked with the most since we became As ever, our artistic programme featured inclusive a producing house in 2005. companies of disabled and non-disabled dancers. Marc Brew Company performed in BREWBAND the Lilian Baylis Studio, while Candoco Dance “[It] is a show which takes us somewhere else, Company returned to our main stage with duet a new work for the company for the pleasure of our eyes and ears.” Dedicated to…, by Caroline Bowditch, as part of Sadler’s Wells Par Mireille Petitgenet, Luxemburger Wort, on Sampled, as well as a double bill of works Dystopian Dream commissioned to Yasmeen Godder and our New Wave Associate Hetain Patel. Our Associate Artist Matthew Bourne celebrated 30 years since establishing his own company Among the innovative and experimental in 1987. To mark this significant milestone, choreographers we presented in the Lilian Baylis Resident Company New Adventures revived Studio throughout the year were Adam Linder, – a brilliant programme including Nora (Eleanor Sikorski and Flora Wellesley Wesley), Early Adventures three of Bourne’s early successes – which came Jan Martens, Maud Le Pladec and Summer to our stage in spring, before returning for their University participants Joe Moran and Pepa Ubera. ever popular long run over the Christmas period with Over 95,800 people came to see Supporting and presenting high-quality dance Cinderella. the two productions at Sadler’s Wells. work for children and family audiences remained a firm commitment. Over the Easter holidays We provided a platform to leading national in April 2017, we programmed award-winning companies , Rambert, Scottish company Aracaladanza’s inspired by Vuelos, Ballet and Richard Alston Dance Company to Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings and writings on reach London audiences. International artists we flight, which we co-produced, while English presented on our stage included James Thierrée’s National Ballet and English National Ballet School Compagnie du Hanneton, Boris Charmatz, Alain returned to our West End home, The Peacock Platel’s les ballets C de la B, Dorrance Dance, theatre, with My Northern First Ballet: Cinderella. Lyon Opera Ballet, Sasha Waltz & Guests, Ballet Ballet performed Goldilocks & the Three Bears British Columbia and Sadler’s Wells International in May, and we presented our Associate Artist Associate Companies Rosas and Tanztheater Jasmin Vardimon’s enchanting for Pinocchio Wuppertal Pina Bausch. We also presented three a second year during half term in October. dance artists on our stage for the very first time: At Christmas, we welcomed the return of Arthur celebrated American-born, Brussels-based Pita’s moving in the Lilian The Little Match Girl Meg Stuart, MacArthur Genius Grant Fellowship Baylis Studio, while the Birmingham Repertory recipient Kyle Abraham and “tap-dancing Theatre marked the 20th anniversary of bringing dynamo” Michelle Dorrance. to The Peacock. The Snowman

17 In March 2018, Liv Lorent’s dance-theatre adaptation of was performed on our stage as Rumpelstiltskin part of our Family Weekend during the Easter break. A collaboration with Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, this was the last of the choreographer’s fairy-tale trilogy works following and Rapunzel Snow White, all of which we co-produced. In addition to this, we commissioned Melbourne-based company one step at a time like this to create upsidedowninsideout, a site-specific immersive adventure for young explorers and their families, who embarked on a mission to unlock the secrets of Sadler’s Wells guided by an interactive storybook.

“Sensuality, luxuriance, intimacy and open ‑heartedness – such are Lorent’s enduring strengths.”

Sanjoy Roy, The Guardian, on Rumpelstiltskin

The Peacock theatre continued to attract enthusiastic audiences, including a significant number of first-time attenders, with an eclectic programme of entertaining shows, such as ’s and Scattered Charge, Mark Murphy’s musicals OUT OF THIS WORLD, and Cirque Éloize’s Taj Express Footloose, Saloon and the return of our production Vamos Cuba!.

Forging strategic partnerships

As the UK’s national dance house, we do not just bring the best dance from all over the world to our audiences in London and, through our touring productions, around the country. We also support exceptional companies based outside the capital, providing them with a London platform to show work and build their audiences.

Over the year, we strengthened our relationship with three companies: Newcastle’s balletLORENT, ’ Phoenix Dance Theatre and Leicester’s Aakash Odedra Company. All of them have strong and original choreographic voices at their helm, and we had been working with them in different ways for some time. As our National Partner Companies, in addition to welcoming them regularly to our stages each year, we are sharing advice, skills and knowledge with them in a variety of areas, including marketing and communications, in order to build audiences for their work and raise their profile.

18 19 20 21 Touring our productions

We presented 167 performances of 15 Sadler’s In summer, we presented dance at Wilderness Wells productions in 56 venues in 19 countries, Festival in Oxfordshire for the second time, and to 133,000 people. returned to programme dance on the Waterfront Stage at Latitude festival in Suffolk for a 10th year. Following its launch in April 2017, Acosta Danza undertook a successful tour in Llodz, Moscow Following a national tour that brought hip hop and Bergen, followed by a sold-out performance dance to 10 cities across the UK, Breakin’ at the Peralada festival in Spain in August. After Convention returned to Luxembourg for the premiering in Havana and taking it to our second year running and toured to Toronto for Debut stage in September, in the autumn the show went the first time, where 4,000 people attended on an international tour that encompassed dates the festival – the largest audience Breakin’ in five UK cities as well as in Germany, Austria and Convention has ever had. The tour continued to Turkey. The new commissions in the programme the US returning to Harlem and Charlotte and were produced as part of The Movement – making its debut in Miami and Denver. In total, our large‑scale producing partnership with the American dates attracted record-breaking Birmingham Hippodrome and The Lowry in Salford. crowds of over 13,000. Through The Movement, we also presented at The Lowry, modelled on our Our Associate Artist Michael Keegan-Dolan’s Dance: Sampled own Sadler’s Wells Sampled festival. toured around the Swan Lake/Loch na hEala world, with performances at Brighton Festival, Two major Sadler’s Wells productions eight different venues in Ireland and in Germany, choreographed by Associate Artist Sidi Larbi Australia, Russia, New Zealand, Luxembourg Cherkaoui returned to our main stage as part of and South Korea – the first time we ever toured successful tours. As part of a Dance Consortium a production to the East Asian nation. tour, toured to nine venues across the m¡longa country, including Saffron Hall in Essex, where We toured Yang Liping’s to Brisbane Under Siege we had never presented one of our productions and Melbourne in Australia and the Festspielhaus before. – a collaboration among Cherkaoui, St. Pölten in Austria. Our Associate Artist Russell Sutra sculptor Antony Gormley and monks from the Maliphant’s was performed Conceal l Reveal Shaolin Temple in China – celebrated its 10th in four venues in France and Germany, while anniversary and ongoing international tour with contemporary circus company The 7 Fingers performances in three cities in The Netherlands brought our co-production to Triptyque and at the New Oxford Theatre before returning The Netherlands and Canada. to Sadler’s Wells, where we marked the occasion with a fitting post‑show party complete with a commemorative cake for the cast and creative team.

22 Sadler’s Wells touring 2016–17

Touring locations

UK & Ireland Birmingham, Brighton, England Cornbury Park, England Drogheda, Ireland Dublin, Ireland , Scotland Henham Park, England Hull, England Ipswich, England Leicester, England Letterkenny, Ireland London, England Mullingar, Ireland Newbridge, Ireland Newcastle, England Nottingham, England Oxford, England Plymouth, England Roscommon, Ireland Saffron Walden, England Salford, England Sligo, Ireland Southampton, England Virginia, Ireland

Europe Amsterdam,Netherlands Bergen, Norway Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany Heerlen, Netherlands Istanbul, Turkey Łódź, Poland Luxembourg City, Luxembourg Moscow, Russia Neuss, Germany Paris, France Peralada, Spain Rotterdam, Netherlands St. Pölten, Austria Stuttgart, Germany Vernier, Switzerland

Rest of World Brisbane, Australia Charlotte, USA Denver, USA Havana, Cuba Melbourne, Australia Miami, USA Montreal, Canada New York, USA Seoul, South Korea Sydney, Australia Toronto, Canada Wellington,New Zealand

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Nurturing talent Nurturing talent

Artist development is central to Sadler’s Wells’ mission and the future of dance as an art form. We are committed to supporting artists at every stage of their career and to nurturing talent. Throughout 2017-18, we provided 338 hours (42 days) of studio space in kind benefiting 14 artists, and led 92 one‑to-one advice sessions.

Our artist development programme encompasses the promising young performers in the National Youth Dance Company; early-career artists consolidating their work in the Lilian Baylis Studio; our New Wave Associates; and our more established Associate Artists. In addition to these projects, we identified the need for more support to be given to those at the very outset of their dance-making careers, who have often just left higher education with a desire to establish their choreographic voices early on.

In February 2018, we launched a new initiative, the Young Associates programme, supporting talented dance makers aged between 18 and 24 and providing a crucial first step into their career as choreographers. The first Young Associates are: Anthony Matsena, Wilhelmina Ojanen, Ruby Portus and Christopher Thomas. We are supporting them in a variety of ways, including with production time in our studios and theatres, providing guidance, advice and networking opportunities.

26 27 28 National Youth Dance Company

Sadler’s Wells continued to run the National Youth During the tour, the company created a film with Dance Company (NYDC). Established in 2012, The Guardian newspaper in the city of Hull, which the company cultivates the brightest dance talent was the UK’s City of Culture 2017. NYDC dancers from across England, offering the chance to work were filmed performing in various locations with renowned choreographers and to perform at around the city and the final video gained over world-class venues. NYDC gives young dancers 140,000 views online. They also worked with a unique insight into the dance profession, with Hull City Council to create a new company – over 80% of former NYDC dancers going on NYDC:HULL – which brought its new production to further dance studies, vocational training or inspired by to Middleton Hall in Tarantiseismic professional work. Hull and to our Lilian Baylis Studio in London.

Many of the NYDC alumni are now working Alongside the tour, NYDC delivered 23 experience professionally in leading dance companies such workshops around England, visiting 16 different as New Adventures, BalletBoyz, Cullberg Ballet, towns and cities and involving over 470 young Teac Damsa, Ultima Vez and Shechter ll, while dancers. As part of these workshops, NYDC’s others have returned to Sadler’s Wells to assist guest choreographer for 2017-18, Sharon Eyal, in different projects. These have included a new was casting her choices for the subsequent piece created by Botis Seva for the V&A’s Reveal year’s intake. Sharon and the 41 dancers selected Festival; an intergenerational performance worked during school holidays throughout the project with choreographer and performer 2017-18 academic year toward a premiere of her Catarina Carvalho and Silver Routes, an arm new work at Sadler’s Wells in Used To Be Blonde of Sadler’s Wells’ outreach programme for the April 2018. over-60s; and a work by Michael Keegan-Dolan at the Sadler’s Wells Gala, held in partnership In August 2017, NYDC and Corali Dance Company with UAL’s London College of Fashion. – an inclusive dance company working with dancers with learning disabilities – brought together a group of young dancers with and “NYDC has allowed me to grow so without disabilities from across the UK to create a short film choreographed much in a very short amount of time. Escape the Nowhere, and directed by Paul Davidson, a dancer with both If I wasn’t in NYDC, I wouldn’t be the NYDC and Corali. The short film formed the basis person and dancer I am today.” of screenings and workshops that took place in six different cities and involved over 1,500 people. Paulina Bazala, NYDC dancer, 2016-17 Independent research showed that, through the NYDC programme, participants are gaining NYDC’s 2016-17 cohort premiered Damien Jalet’s artistic and physical skills as well as key at Sadler’s Wells in April 2017. transferable skills, such as leadership, teamwork Tarantiseismic During the summer, the company’s national and confidence, which will support them in their tour saw performances in Plymouth, Newcastle, future training and employment. Leicester, Birmingham, Ipswich and at Latitude festival, with a final graduation performance in the Lilian Baylis Studio. Overall, the show reached an audience of 5,629.

29 New Wave Associates

Our New Wave Associates programme Hetain Patel’s was performed Let’s Talk About Dis offers support to early to mid-career artists as part of a double bill by inclusive company consolidating their development as dance makers Candoco in March 2018. This was a reprisal of and establishing a distinct artistic voice. We Hetain’s commission for the company, which provide bespoke support for each artist, including originally premiered in 2014 to critical acclaim. research time, technical support, and professional The piece was witty as ever; an intimate creation and artistic guidance. The aim is to provide a employing singing, signing and talking in multiple creative home while enabling them to contribute languages to explore the individual personalities to the artistic programme with their energy and of the seven Candoco performers and their fresh ideas. relationships to the labels they operate through – that of ‘disabled dancers’. Throughout 2017-18 we continued to support our three New Wave Associates – Wilkie Branson, In February 2018 we welcomed three more Hetain Patel and Alexander Whitley. New Wave Associates: Julie Cunningham, Project O and L’atisse Rhoden.

“Alexander Whitley’s poetic and Julie Cunningham launched her own company playful creation captures the alien after 15 years of dancing with the iconic Merce Cunningham Dance Company and Michael Clark unknowableness of the universe, Company. Her work employs text and movement, as well as its visual magic.” and is concerned with gender identity.

Judith Mackrell, The Guardian, on Project O is a collaboration between artists 8 Minutes Alexandrina Hemsley and Jamila Johnson-Small. Their work explores the body as a site of politics, In June 2017, we presented the world premiere considering the impact of colonial history in the of the first full-length production for UK today. 8 Minutes, our main stage by Alexander Whitley, which we co ‑produced. Inspired by solar science research, L’atisse Rhoden comes from the hip hop dance the work explored forces on a cosmic scale and theatre community. Introduced by our Breakin’ asked questions about humanity’s relationship Convention team, she trained with dance with the sun. companies Avant Garde Dance and Botis Seva’s Far From the Norm. A solo artist and director Wilkie Branson’s research and development for his of the female collective 25, her work is heavily show has been painstaking and meticulous. influenced by surrealism. TOM Wilkie created a series of hand‑crafted models of landscapes and objects, which he scanned and digitised in a process known as photogrammetry. Into this organic, digital landscape are projected dancing figures for a seamless blending of film, live dance and animation. The end product, set to premiere in November, is an installation more than a performance: a unified, three-dimensional digital projection that tells the story of one man’s journey to rediscover his identity.

30 31 32 Summer University

We continued to support 21 dance artists to The programme aimed to incorporate a greater further their practice through Summer University. sense of self-curatorial autonomy: during the The 2015-18 class entered their third and first week, the artists were encouraged to penultimate two-week intensive in July 2017, led propose workshops and classes organically by choreographer Jonathan Burrows. Over the amongst themselves. Each artist led at least one course of four years, the scheme supports dance session during the week, and there were further artists early in their career by expanding their discussions led by Jan Ritsema, the founder perspective on dance. Curated interventions, of PAF, and Matt Hare, its resident philosopher debates and dialogue are at the heart of this and academic. unique initiative – and through exposure to less familiar artistic practices and viewpoints, Returning to Sadler’s Wells for their second week, these dancers and choreographers are set to on their first day the artists heard lectures from shape the growth of the art form in new and Catherine Wood, Senior Curator of International interesting directions. Art (Performance) at Tate Modern, and Jeroen Peters, writer, dramaturg and performer.

“It is invaluable to be in a room full of Throughout the week there were further talks on singing from musician Jessie Mayron Davies; people who are coming from very on literature from poet Tom Chivers; on the different backgrounds and approaches performing arts industry from Flora Wellesley, vice to making dance. It challenges my chair of Equity’s Dance Committee, Lucy Cadena, own preconceptions and prejudices International Programme Coordinator for Climate Justice and Energy at Friends of the Earth, and and helps me to understand my place dancer and choreographer Nicholas Keegan; underneath the larger umbrella we call and on psychotherapy and creative practice from dance. I will take away the importance therapist Frank Bock. In addition to the series of to make time for thinking, discussion lectures, there were organised visits to shows at Sadler’s Wells and the Southbank Centre. and for making things happen.” Dance artists taking part in Summer University James Cousins, Summer University participant, 2016-17 2015-18 are:

Kwame Asafo-Adjei This year’s intensive took place both at Sadler’s Neil Callaghan Wells and at the Performing Arts Forum (PAF) Theo Clinkard in St Erme, northern France – an artist-led Katye Coe cooperative that acts as a hub for creatives from Nicola Conibere all over Europe. Eating, working and living together James Cousins in this environment allowed the group to build a Dan Daw distinct sense of community through which they Antonio de la Fe could learn in greater depth about each other’s Adrienne Hart artistic practice. The distinctly pan-European Alexandrina Hemsley composition of PAF and its residents yielded Stefan Jovanovic greater insight into the contemporary artistic Stephanie McMann climate beyond the British Isles. Joe Moran Patricia Okenwa Katerina Paramana Eva Recacha Alesandra Seutin Charlotte Spencer Pepa Ubera Marquez Zangs

33 Wild Card

Launched in 2013, the Wild Card initiative aims to bring fresh perspectives and lesser-known dance styles to the stage. Talented dance makers are given the opportunity to curate an evening in the Lilian Baylis Studio, featuring their own work as well as others’, with support from our professional teams.

In June 2017, Ella Mesma presented Guerreras, an evening of pieces intersecting hip-hop, latin and theatre, with a particular focus on the tempestuous history of the rumba. The work on show determinedly reclaimed what it means to be ‘ladylike’. The evening saw performances from guest artists Yinka Esi Graves (dotdotdot dance), Houston Dance Collective and Luanda Pau Baquero, a Cuban salsa dancer.

“All works are exceptional and fascinating in their ability to investigate emotions”

Francesca Marotto, The Wonderful World of Dance, on Wild Card: Gianluca Vicentini

Gianluca Vicentini, himself fascinated by the relationship between movement and emotion, showcased in November 2017 some of the most promising dance talent from the North of England - Carlos Pons Guerra with his flamenco-infused kitchen drama O Maria: A Divine Comedy of Ham and Crystal Zillwood’s articulate and thoughtful Bondage, solo and Jamaal Burkmar with Evolutio The Calm.

In March 2018, Adrienne Hart curated an evening with collaboration at its core. Adrienne’s company Neon Dance performed excerpts of Empathy, an enchanting exploration of our ability to share in the emotions of others. Among the guest performers were talented musicians John Kameel Farah (Neue Meister) and cellist Anne Müller (Erased Tapes), as well as dance artists Maeva Berthelot and Pichet Klunchun. The enraptured audience enjoyed particularly intimate performances that centred on the form and sound of the piano; a nod to Piano Day, a celebration first established by Berlin-based composer and musician Nils Frahm.

34 35 36 Breakin’ Convention

Since 2008, our Breakin’ Convention team has offered professional development opportunities to over 800 hip-hop artists through its artist development programmes.

In January 2018, two-week choreographic course Back To The Lab gave 18 professional hip hop practitioners the chance to develop their work, supported by mentors and music producers. Two dance pieces developed through the project – one by hip-hop dancer Chad Taylor, another by choreographer and performer Jade Hackett – were programmed as part of Breakin’ Convention 2018.

Last year saw two separate Open Art Surgery sessions in London, in September 2017 and March 2018, offering 15 and 12 hip-hop dance theatre artists respectively the opportunity to develop and experiment with new ideas, share new work publicly and receive mentorship from their peers, including Breakin’ Convention’s Artistic Director Jonzi D. After a week of discussions and workshops, the participants presented their work in live performances hosted by Jonzi. In the intimate space of the Lilian Baylis Studio, he invited the audience to question and critique the fresh and raw work on display. The formula has proved successful, and as such Open Art Surgery toured to Toronto for the third time in March 2018, providing a platform for the sharing of hip-hop theatre knowledge with Canadian artists.

Higher Learning took place in December 2017; a three-day intensive course led by Jonzi D and dramaturg Jane Fallowfield. Mentors, writers and hip hop theatre makers came together to collaborate, educate and innovate. As well as dramatic composition and storytelling, the course touched on all aspects of theatre production – from the technical side of lighting, staging and finance to methods of social empowerment.

37

Engaging audiences 40 Dance for all

At Sadler’s Wells, we aim to bring the joy and In March 2018, we took part in the Get Creative drama of dance to as large an audience as festival for the fourth consecutive year. possible, unrestricted by background, ability Motionhouse’s Rehearsal Director Junior or demography. Our Learning and Engagement Cunningham delivered a free workshop for team focuses on ensuring that our artistic over ‑60s inspired by the company’s latest practice is as inclusive as possible, and that new production which we presented at Charge, and existing audiences continue to be inspired The Peacock. by dance as an art form. Of particular focus are schools and young people, local communities and Through our community engagement scheme, under ‑represented groups in the dance world. Get into Dance, we continued to enable people Our approach has been proving successful – in from low-income households in Islington to 2017-2018, we recorded over 34,000 attendances engage with our work by accessing £3 tickets to our range of participatory activities. for shows, a first-time experience for many local residents who register for the scheme. Get into We continued to take our work offsite, including Dance now has 166 active members, who in programming the dance stages at Latitude 2017 ‑18 purchased a total of 1445 tickets. and Wilderness festivals, and at the Great Get Together event in east London. Overall, outdoor We continued to work with our eleven Associate events attracted audiences of over 17,200. Schools, offering reduced tickets and workshops so that children and young people can engage Breakin’ Convention delivered their with dance from an early age. We led just under Park Jam in May 2017 to around 3,500 people; a free, 100 educational sessions – including with family ‑friendly dance, music and art event for newcomers Mossbourne Riverside Academy. For the local community in Spa Fields. pupils there, curriculum sessions were delivered by both East London Dance and English National Sadler’s Wells Sampled in February 2018 gave Ballet. These were weekly workshops where audiences the opportunity to enjoy performances dance was used as a tool for cross-curricular from international artists in different dance learning, feeding into their established classroom styles at an accessible price. Our main building topics. Both organisations also delivered was demarcated into separate areas that whole ‑school training sessions for teachers visitors were welcome to move between, each and one stand-alone dance session for parents. showcasing a different genre – including firm favourites flamenco, breakdance, ballet and contemporary. Among those performing were NDT2, Humanhood, Candoco Dance Company and the 2017 BBC Young Dancer winner Nafisah Baba. Through the generous support of American Express Foundation, we were able to invite 400 members of our local community to watch the performance for free and worked with our local community centres and groups to provide free dance taster workshops.

“I observed great progress with the Year 1 class, they are collaborating beautifully together and working on a lovely water piece that they are starting to feel very proud about.”

Amy Wood, Principal, Mossbourne Riverside Academy

41 Our Breakin’ Convention team continued their series of educational and outreach programmes, with their particular focus on engaging young people with different aspects of hip-hop culture. In March 2018, after spending the February half term creating a music video with cutting-edge mentors as part of the project, young Future Elements participants shared their work at the Lilian Baylis Studio in a night celebrating the next generation of the UK’s hip hop dance and theatre talent. Among the expert teachers on offer were prolific producer and rapper Nutty P and acclaimed filmmaker Sebastian Thiel.

“I am just writing to you as I watched Breakin’ Convention on Sunday with my mum, nan and three brothers and thought it was amazing. It was so well organised and all the staff were very kind and helpful. I wear hearing aids and loved the lady signing on stage. The graffiti man was really helpful and interesting. We had such a fun day at Sadler’s Wells theatre. Thank you.”

Freya, aged eight, Essex

offered taster sessions Starting From Scratch in various theatrical hip-hop art forms – acting, DJ-ing, dance and rap – to young people aged between 13 and 21. Taking place in January 2018, there were a total of 24 sessions run with 88 participants. As part of the project, young people – many of whom had never visited a theatre before – were taken to see hip-hop productions at Sadler’s Wells and Battersea Arts Centre. Those taking part collaborated on theatre pieces for which they wrote the lyrics, recorded the music and designed the stage and lighting – all leading toward a performance at Breakin’ Convention 2018.

During the June half term in 2017, Breakin’ Convention led a two-day workshop centring on rap lyricism – – to spark local young Graffical people’s creativity through writing and visual art. Mentored by rappers and educators, participants analysed their favourite rap songs, exploring the social and political issues addressed by the lyrics as well as the personal meaning the words had to them. Alongside this, they wrote their own lyrics with the purpose of inspiring their families and communities. The group collaborated on a mural, which was displayed in Islington, near the Andover Estate. Overseen by graffiti artist Mr. Dane, the teens brought their words to life by incorporating themes from their lyrics into the sprayed work.

42 43 44 Reaching our audiences

We continued to reach wide audiences in Our social media followers continued to grow, London, the UK and further afield. In 2017-18 with an increase of 20% in YouTube subscribers, we recorded a total attendance of 529,000 to 21% in Facebook followers and 66% in Instagram our London theatres and over 130,000 from followers. Of the content we posted on YouTube, touring and festivals. the film with the highest engagement was the trailer for with 83,378 views. Tango After Dark, We increasingly used our social media channels This brought our total number of video views in to livestream dance directly to viewers, a 2017-18 to 1.3 million. highlight being Rosie Kay Dance Company’s a 60-minute In April 2017, we hosted in our sold-out theatre 5 SOLDIERS: The Body is the Frontline; performance and a post-show talk featuring the live broadcast of the BBC Young Dancer choreographer Rosie Kay, Lt Gen James Bashall Grand Final, a competition for dancers aged 16-21 CBE, Lt Col Sue Wright, our Artistic Director and across four categories: ballet, contemporary, Chief Executive Alistair Spalding and Observer street and South Asian. The show was presented dance critic Luke Jennings. by Anita Rani and Ore Oduba, with providing commentary along with Sir Matthew Bourne (Choreographer and Artistic “I applied to be a Social Mover because Director of New Adventures), Shobana Jeyasingh I really wanted to extend the work I (Choreographer and Artistic Director of Shobana was doing as a dance student and with Jeyasingh Dance) and Kenrick H2O Sandy (Artistic Director of Boy Blue Entertainment). The my blog. I wanted an opportunity to winner, dancer Nafisah Baba, was invited back to bring more content to that, and also to perform at Sadler’s Wells Sampled to showcase reach a wider audience and to get more her preferred style – contemporary dance. people interested in dance who might Following our brand refresh in 2014, three years not otherwise have gone to see it.” later we were able to monitor its impact on Jessica Carter, Social Mover our business, and in February this year it was announced that Sadler’s Wells had won Silver in the Design Business Association’s Design Working with social media influencers has been Effectiveness Awards. 83% of staff and 78% of an increasingly important component of our digital audiences thought that the new brand had “made strategy. Giving people with established digital Sadler’s Wells feel more contemporary”, and 39% followings access to our shows and the freedom of the audience were more adventurous in their to spread the word in their own voice has helped selection of shows. our artistic programme reach new audiences and create wider conversations about dance. Through In May 2017 we relaunched our membership our regional touring initiative scheme, and it proved an instant success. The Movement, in partnership with The Lowry and Birmingham Over the financial year we saw a 10% increase Hippodrome, we gathered a team of influencers, in new members, and we broke recruitment dubbed Social Movers, who posted show reviews records in seven out of the twelve months of and created a series of short films to promote the year. We also saw a 9% increase in renewals, dance. This helped generate over 400,000 social demonstrating that loyalty to the Sadler’s Wells media impressions and 133,000 video views brand is growing. through social channels. The Movement’s

45

Making it happen Fundraising

The many individual donors, organisations, trusts The support Sadler’s Wells offers to artists at and foundations that support Sadler’s Wells a key stage early in their career through the have once again enabled us to create and deliver New Wave Associates programme was made outstanding productions, nurture artists and possible through the support of the Esmée ensure that dance is accessed and enjoyed by all. Fairbairn Foundation. A particular highlight was the world premiere of by New Wave 8 Minutes In Spring 2017 we brought together a group of Associate Artist Alexander Whitley’s Dance six individual donors to form the Acosta Danza Company. This commission was his company’s Circle, supporting our International Associate first full-length production presented on our Company to create new work over two years. main stage. Alongside funds from major donors Acosta Danza’s programme was presented and The Monument Trust, which supports all our Debut here in September 2017 and received widespread commissions and co-productions, this particular critical acclaim, going on to tour in New York production was also generously supported by City, Poland, Russia, Austria and Norway. Cockayne – Grants for the Arts and The London The generous supporters of the Acosta Danza Community Foundation. Circle were invited to the UK and US opening night performances, as well as having access Our increasing focus on commissioning and to the company’s pre-show ballet class. producing new work has continued to be generously supported by a number of charitable In November 2017, in collaboration with UAL’s trusts and individuals. In December 2017 this London College of Fashion we hosted the Material was recognised by The Monument Trust through Movement gala in support of each organisation’s a transformational legacy gift of £1,000,000 to creative development programmes. The start a Creative Development Fund, the purpose evening included several performances, created of which is to support the new commissions and collaboratively and featuring dancer Nafisah artistic collaborations that lead to ground-breaking Baba, and choreographers Adrienne Hart, Botis work, alongside support for artist development Seva and Lee Griffiths. Guests enjoyed dinner on within our learning and engagement activities the stage and were wowed with a performance that are integral to the artistic programme. of Michael Hulls’ The evening Mechanical Ballet. ended with a stunning piece by National Youth We warmly thank all our supporters, longstanding Dance Company, choreographed by our Associate and new, for their generosity and spirit. Artist Michael Keegan-Dolan. We are grateful to our gala committee and all those donors who helped us raise a significant amount of funds to support the next generation of creative talent.

Our commitment to reaching new and diverse audiences through our Sadler’s Wells Sampled programme was continued thanks to a two-year pledge of support from the American Express Foundation. The grant has predominantly enabled the Sampled festival, which gives audiences the opportunity to experience the widest possible range of world-class dance at an accessible ticket price. In addition, it has supported two new engagement programmes for school children and members of the community who would not otherwise come to the theatre.

48 49 50 Our people and places

Providing opportunities

As part of our ongoing commitment to training We also piloted the Shared Training and the next generation of educators, producers, arts Employment Programme (STEP). For residents managers, technicians and backstage staff, we of Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham and offered 10 work experience placements, seven Waltham Forest, aged 18-30, the programme apprenticeships, six technical placements and five offers placements across a range of cultural internships. This helps us build a culturally diverse organisations, including Sadler’s Wells, where arts workforce that offers fair access, particularly we offer successful applicants two six-month to those who might otherwise struggle to find internships in two different departments. opportunities to break into the arts sector. Serina Lopez joined us in 2017, beginning in Visitor Experience, and is set to conclude her We continued to host two one-year technical placement in Producing and Touring. Philippe Cato apprentice positions in conjunction with the completed six months in Producing and Touring Roundhouse, with apprentices spending time before successfully securing a role as Production being trained and working in both organisations Assistant with Paines Plough, a touring theatre throughout the year. production company.

In July, two staff members received awards at a ceremony celebrating the role of local young Generating income people and employers in delivering the legacy of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Human Our Catering & Events and Visitor Services Resources Manager Lesley Owusu and our former teams had a particularly successful year, with a Community and Engagement intern Jade Leatham £2.9 million net contribution from supplementary were honoured at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic activities including catering, events and Park Apprenticeship Awards, held at Here East. frontf ‑o ‑house sales. Our catering service Lesley won the Making it Happen Partnership achieved high margins, and our event hire service of the Year Award for her work in offering performed particularly well, with high utilisation high-quality, accessible employment and rates for all our available spaces both at Sadler’s education opportunities to young people from Wells and The Peacock. the communities that surround the park in east London. Jade received the Best Intern Award for March 2018 was a particularly busy month for her work as Community Engagement Intern at the events department. Annie Lennox spoke Sadler’s Wells. and performed at an evening of music and conversation with proceeds donated to The In partnership with the London Legacy Circle, a charity she founded to change and Development Corporation and Create Jobs, challenge the injustices and inequality facing we delivered and hosted the Creative Opportunity women and girls. Hachette UK’s staff event Programme. Free for participants to attend, celebrated upcoming author talent with speeches this two-week programme offers young people from Malala Yousafzai, Ferne Cotton, Dermot interested in a career in the creative and cultural O’Leary and Akala among others. Closing the sectors advice and practical steps on how month was ‘A Life in Classics’, Mary Beard’s to apply, and supports knowledge and skills in-conversation event celebrating her life and development for entry route positions. writing, organised by Guardian News & Media and presented by their chief culture writer Charlotte Higgins.

51 Sustainable development

Sustainable creativity is at the heart of our Our Catering team has been at the forefront of practice at Sadler’s Wells, as we believe the future sustainable change within our buildings. We were of the arts and culture – no less wider society – acknowledged in the Evening Standard when depend on it. Environmental concerns extend to we switched from plastic to paper straws, and all areas of our activities and projects, including our takeaway boxes are now either recyclable or our artistic programme, our building and staff. compostable. The takeaway cutlery is also now compostable ‘veg-ware’, and the ice cream tubs In 2017 we worked with Julie’s Bicycle toward the have been changed from plastic to cardboard. Creative Green assessment, an accreditation Our Wardrobe team continue to use eco-friendly recognising environmental commitment and laundry products for all our productions. achievement within the creative sector. We were awarded an “Excellent” four-star Creative Green One of the more popular sustainability policies rating, with a 9% increase in our score on last year. among our staff has been the planting of a herb garden in the Sadler’s Wells courtyard. The planter To encourage sustainability leadership in the was built by Ghion, resident carpenter in the wider cultural sector, in June 2017 we presented Building Services team, and is overseen by our a seminar on sustainability in theatres with SiPA Green Team – who meet regularly throughout the (the Sustainability in Production Alliance) at the year to discuss new ideas and the implementation Association of British Theatre Technicians show of our Sustainability Action Plan. The wooden at Alexandra Palace. In November, we took part in structure plays host to bay trees, sage, thyme, Vehicle Idling Action, a London-wide behaviour marjoram, chives and mint, which our kitchen staff change campaign that took place in 18 local are able to use in food for the café. authorities, engaging volunteers and staff to educate motorists and coach drivers parked The updated Building Management System and around the theatre pre and post-show. energy metering put in place during our 2013-15 refurbishment continues to allow us to monitor We introduced our Sustainability Policy into our consumption on a more detailed basis, for contracts with visiting companies, and we share consistent incremental improvements to energy shows’ energy use data with them. Our policy has and water efficiency. been strengthened to reflect our commitment to help mitigate climate change, with explicit reference to the Paris Agreement.

52 53 How we are funded

9%

12%

9%

70%

Sadler’s Wells’ income 2017–18

Presentations Fundraising Trading and Other Arts Council England

54 Financial performance

2017-18 2016-17 £’000 £’000 Income Theatre presentations 18,767 18,566 Trading and other 2,963 3,213 Unrestricted fundraising 2,529 1,357 Arts Council England 2,456 2,456 26,715 25,592

Expenditure Theatre presentations 18,391 18,075 Theatre overhead 5,071 4,986 Trading and other 2,008 1,913 Fundraising 562 424 26,032 25,398

Movement on investments (51) 232 Net Operating 632 426

Designated Fund Transfer – (426) Creative Development Fund Transfer (1,000) – Net after Transfers (368) –

Opening General Reserve 1,000 1,000 Charge (368) – Closing General Reserve 632 1,000

As ever, the income generated from Our other sources of income are voluntary ticket sales and other show-related donations from individuals, trusts and income was our principal source of foundations and corporate bodies, together funding. The annual funding we receive with trading income derived from hiring out from Arts Council England as a National the spaces in the theatre complex. Income Portfolio Organisation is important to from presentations accounted for 70% our long‑term financial sustainability; of our revenue, with 21% generated from in 2017‑18, this represented 9% of our trading and fundraising. income, amounting to around £5 per seat. There was a transfer of a donated gift in year of £1 million to establish the Creative Development Fund. The net deficit of £368,000 was charged to the General Reserve.

55 Sadler’s Wells Sadler’s Wells Sadler’s Wells Trust and Foundation ambassadors Fellowship

We thank former board members and those who have given significant and sustained support:

Sadler’s Wells Trust Sadler’s Wells Foundation Ambassadors Ian Albery Gillian Anderson David and Primrose Bell Chairman President Honorary Members Hussein Chalayan Angela Bernstein CBE Nigel Higgins Lady Solti Valerie Colgan Antony Gormley Jules Burns Robert Kahn Anish Kapoor Nica Burns OBE Directors Honorary Vice President Martin Klute Marco Compagnoni Humphrey Battcock Ian Albery Fiona Shaw Kathleen Crook Sue Butcher Ian Hay Davison CBE Honorary Clerk Neil Tennant Joachim Fleury Sarah Evans Joachim Fleury Richard Wilson Ian Hay Davison CBE Robert Glick Chairman Ian Jentle David Lan Nigel Higgins Clerk to the Foundation Carol Lake Farah Ramzan Golant Alistair Spalding CBE Annie Norton David Ripert Directors Lady Panufnik Sanoke Viswanathan Sir David Bell Robin Pauley Sharon White Rab Bennetts Robin Saunders Celeste Fenichel Ann and Martin Smith Trustee placements Kathryn Firth Valerie Solti Sharla Duncan Harry MacAuslan Vanni Treves CBE Jo Wolfe Lesley MacDonagh Sandi and Jake Ulrich Celia Rodrigues Honorary Member Roger Spence Sandi Ulrich Paul Williams

Sadler’s Wells Sadler’s Wells artists and companies co-producers

Sadler’s Wells would like to thank its UK and international co-producing partners, whose collaboration made it possible to create and tour work across the globe:

Associate Artists Resident Companies Athens Festival Migros Culture Percentage BalletBoyz® Company Wayne McGregor BB Promotion Dance Festival Steps Matthew Bourne New Adventures Birmingham Hippodrome Movimentos Festwochen der Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui ZooNation: The Kate Prince Blancon Productions Autostadt, Wolfsburg Jonzi D Dance Company Colours International Dance New York City Center Sharon Eyal Festival Royal Albert Hall Michael Hulls Associate Company Danse-Cité Shaolin Cultural Michael Keegan-Dolan English National Ballet DanceEast Communications Company Akram Khan deSingel international arts Stanford Live Russell Maliphant International Associate campus, Antwerp Théâtres de l’Achipel, scène Wayne McGregor Companies Dublin Theatre Festival nationale de Perpignan Crystal Pite Acosta Danza Eastman Théâtre du Jorat, Mézières Kate Prince Rosas Festival d’Avignon Theatrehaus Stuttgart Nitin Sawhney Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Festspielhaus St Pölten Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne Hofesh Shechter Bausch Festival de Barcelona Grec Théâtres de la Ville-Paris Jasmin Vardimon Fondazione Musica per Roma The Movement Christopher Wheeldon National Partner Companies La Monnaie, Brussels The Lowry, Salford Aakash Odedra Company Les Théâtres de la Ville de The Point, Eastleigh Associate Artist Emeritus balletLORENT Luxembourg Thomas Lightburn Sylvie Guillem Phoenix Dance Theatre Les Nuits de Fourvière/ TOHU, Monreal Départment du Rhône Valid Productions New Wave Associates Wilkie Branson Julie Cunningham Alexander Whitley Project O Hetain Patel L’atisse Rhoden

Young Associates Anthony Matsena Wilhelmina Ojanen Ruby Portus Christopher Thomas

56 Support

Sadler’s Wells would like to thank all those who generously supported the theatre’s activities in 2017-18

Individuals Trusts & Foundations

Avant-Guardians Project Supporters Opening Night Patrons Major Supporters & Partners Anonymous Aspect Charitable Trust Anonymous David Mathew Anonymous Humphrey & Carol Lake Tobe & Nicholas Aleksander Terrie McCann The American Express Ginny Battcock The Mactaggart Third Fund Diana Allgaier Martha Mehta Foundation David & Primrose Bell Michel & Ellen Plantevin Carolyn Amhurst Alison Margaret Miller The Baring Foundation Angela Bernstein CBE Seat Appeal Supporters Hannah Azizollah Jane Miller Cockayne – Grants Sue Butcher Kate Wormald – Severine Balick Andrea Mitchell for the Arts Aud Jebsen OESA Partners Joanne Black Erdem Moralioglu Dame Hilda Bracket Trust Sanya Polescuk John Bolland Richard Morgan The Edwin Fox Foundation & Nigel Higgins Legacy Circle William Boyce Koji Moriya in memory of Michele Fox Robin Saunders Klara Bloch Jenny Brend Britannia Morton Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Ann & Martin Smith David & Deborah Botten Alison Brodie The Mucha Family Helen Hamlyn Trust The Ulrich Family Mike & Caroline Howes Maria Bukhtoyarova Nahla Murad The Linbury Trust Ross Roberts Cristina Bundyra Susan Noble The Monument Trust Major Project Support Ossi & Paul Burger John Nugent The Pure Land Foundation The Blavatnik Family Commissioning Patrons Jim Carroll Simon Nurney Fidelity UK Foundation Foundation Anonymous Guy Chapman Venkatramanan The Deborah Loeb Francois & Anais Aguerre Jenny Chu Panchapakesan Supporters & Partners Brice Foundation Geoff & Judith Batchelar Geoffrey Collens Sarah Perry The 29th May 1961 Stephanie & Justin Bickle Victoria Conran Dave Plummer Charitable Trust Jacques Gabillon Nigel Boardman & Philippa Crane & Lesley Whitby The Austin & Barbara Kahn Moller Lynda Gratton Sean Cross Sia Ratajczak Hope Pilkington Trust & Karsten Moller Kristina Borsy & Nick Turdean Andrew Cullen Kerri Ratcliffe & Chapman Charitable Trust Nica Burns OBE Amanda Cupples Doug Henderson The D’Oyly Carte Artistic Director’s Circle Alexander de Mont Tess Daly Peter B Rea Charitable Trust Anonymous Juliana Farha & Kit Dr Genevieve Davies David Ripert The Derek Hill Foundation William & Judith Bollinger Malthouse Angela Docherty Marc Roberts & Rafael Ernest Cook Trust Jules & Cheryl Burns Neil Griffiths-Lambeth Simon & Jane Duncan Navarro The Golsoncott Foundation Marco Compagnoni Lettie Hart Maryam Eisler Susanna Rodriguez Harold Hyam Wingate Kathleen Crook Laoise Hayes Sarah Elson Angel Rodriguez Issa Foundation & James Penturn Bee Hopkins Magdalen Fisher Robert & Corinne Rooney The Rayne Foundation Christophe Czajka Anne Kauder Mo Fisher Zerin Safa The Royal Victoria Hall & Brid T Rodgers Faizal Khan Sybille & Lionel Giacomotto Anatoly Savin Foundation Lloyd & Sarah Dorfman Latifa Kosta Karine Giannamore Alastair Sharp Sir Siegmund Warburg’s Sarah Evans Dominique & Laurent Laffy Clare Haden Maria Sheremteva Voluntary Settlement Jack & Linda Keenan John & Susan Lazar Jonas Havnes Brian Smith Teale Charitable Trust Fameed Khalique Alison & Dominique LeMaire Sarah Hayter Alistair Spalding CBE The Three Monkies Trust Sophie Lecoq & Lindy Mason Eleanor Heine Helen Stevens The Sylvia Waddilove Fawzi Kyriakos-Saad Nancy Miller & Glen Ireland Steve Hendry Juliet Strang Foundation Lesley MacDonagh Nathalie & Nicolas Motelay Mina Gerowin Herrman Sue Swallows Paul Mulholland Nicola Nicholls & Jeffrey Herrman Ebba Thott Julie & Karim Saddi John Nicoll and Gina Hickey Alex Timken Corporate Laurence Colchester Gary Hocking & Sandra Quinn Lan Tu Season Patrons Mr C & Mrs A Norton Mike & Caroline Howes Nigel Turner Corporate Supporters Maria Adonyeva Georgia Oetker Rita Hughes Cem/Tolga Uzuner Bloomberg Sir Trevor & Lady Chinn Dr Elizabeth Parker Mr Sajid F. Hussein Anna Valentine & Citadines Apart’Hotels Celeste Fenichel Frances Prenn Raphael Im Jonathan Berger Clifford Chance Stéphane Lapiquonne Joan Ritchie Colin Izzard Kevin Walker Criterion Ices Samantha Lee Ross Roberts Claire Johnston Sarah Jane Watson DoubleTree by Hilton Craig Mullan Kristina Rogge Colin Keil Simeon Williams JPMorgan Chase & Co. Majella Murphy-Altschuler His Excellency Ghassan Louise & Philip Keller Holmes Wood London Islington Yukiko Pajot I Shaker Christopher Kneale Josh Wood ERMAK Group Robin Pauley Georgie Shields & & Michael Page David & Vivienne Woolf Rothschild & Co Shafranik Family Trevor Francis Sybil & Herbert Kretzmer OBE Kate Wormald – Wendy Sigle Rebecca Kwee OESA Partners Local Business Members Acosta Danza Circle Graeme & Susan Sloan Vicki Lant Jenifer Young Bourne & Hollingsworth Anonymous Matthew Slotover Kim Lavely Frederick’s Sue Butcher & Emily King Derek Lee Performance Members Moro Michael & Claire Francies Christopher & Fiona Steane Fiona Leishman Andrew Barnett Viaduct Furniture Jeannette Grohe Max D Steinkopf Andrew Lerpiniere Jemma Cowley Esther Isaacs Gabrielle Tana Gwen Lewis & Lt Col Dafydd Edwards Embassies / Government Jack & Linda Keenan Allen Thomas & Jonathan Holliday Sandrine Jensen Agencies Jane Simpson Harry & Fiona MacAuslan Eugene Leahy & Italian Cultural Institute New Production Patrons Eric Tomsett Chantelle Mackay Helmert Robbertsen Taipei Representative Office Anonymous Geoff Westmore & Tim Marlow Gerald Lidstone in the UK Denise & Rab Bennetts Paula Clemett Alessandra Masoero Juliette Morris Lauren & Michael Clancy Paul & Christine Williams Patricia Masri Helen Mundy John Drewitt Meng Zhou Anthony & Alison Nathan Charles Glanville Sally Pasmore The Richard Grand The American Friends Geraldine Ravet Foundation David & Melissa Bernstein Isla Smith Claire Griffiths Matthew & Elissa Bernstein Alison Smyth Mrs Joyce Kan Colin & Deirdre McKechnie David Taylor Frank & Helen Neale (Deputy President) Stephen & Yana Peel Celia Rodrigues (President) The Porter Foundation & Mark Rodrigues Switzerland Monica Voldstad

57 Sadler’s Wells staff

Artistic Director Digital Communications Marketing & Sales Lee McDonnell Finance & IT & Chief Executive Officer, Breakin’ Convention Thomas Montagu-Harrison Alistair Spalding Dave Barros Director of Marketing & Sales Sheila Motani Finance Director Sebastian Cater Grace Nyandoro Mark Rhodes Chief Operating Officer Education Coordinator, Joel O’Donoghue Britannia Morton Breakin’ Convention Head of Campaign Marketing Paula Patritti Shay Rafati Sammie Squire Rosalind Reeder Finance Executive Director Rachel Salisbury Magdalen Fisher Breakin’ Convention Marketing Manager (Touring) Nicola Salt Financial Controller Coordinator Lucy White Caitriona Shoobridge Paul Warren Director of Artistic Programme Karine Goudout John Sinclair Katy Arnander Senior Marketing Officer Lois Tucker Production Accountant Marketing Assistant, Martha Quigley Ricci Tait Finance Director Breakin’ Convention Mark Rhodes Owen Ling Marketing Insight Officer Press Project Accountant Ian Briggs Ben Dart Executive Producer Head of Media Relations Suzanne Walker Learning & Engagement Publications Officer Abigail Desch Show Accountant Maxine Smiles Lorne Cuthbert Director of Technical Director of Learning Senior Press Manager & Production & Engagement Content Officer Caroline Ansdell Finance Officer Emma Wilson Joce Giles Rosie Mackie Monisola Samuel Senior Press Officer Director of Marketing General Manager, NYDC Marketing Coordinator Dan Macarthur Finance Assistants & Sales Hannah Kirkpatrick Kirsty McGuinness Sheena Shah Sebastian Cater Press Officers Hannah Titterton Community & Marketing Assistant Eugenie Dunster (Maternity Cover) Director of Learning Engagement Manager Nicki Perrett & Engagement Natasha Anderson Press Assistant Joce Giles Digital & Marketing Apprentice Jessica Galliver IT Projects Producer, Temi Fernandez Director of Development Learning & Engagement Head of IT Phoebe Reith Lucy Clarke-Bishop Corporate Communications Matt Kirby Rosalind Hewett Digital Executive Assistant (Maternity Cover) Senior Communications CRM Database Manager Rosalind Glass Digital Manager Manager Dmitrij Zeile Projects Manager Mark Doerfel Giulia Ascoli Elaine Foley IT Systems & Network Manager Programming, Digital Officer Raymond Neequaye Learning & Engagement Learning & Engagement Officer Sarah Vaughan-Jones Development Sara Daniels IT Support Analysts Director of Artistic Programme Emma Bellerby Director of Development Stephen Amissah Katy Arnander (Maternity Cover) Ticket Office Phoebe Reith Jake Hummerston

NYDC & Learning & Senior Ticket Office Manager Development Manager, Programming Engagement Coordinator James Broderick Corporate Partnerships Human Resources Rosalind Hewett Sarah Drake Artistic Programmer & Laura Warner (Maternity Cover) Deputy Ticket Office Head of HR Artist Development & Systems Manager Individual Giving Manager Clair Kelly Eva Martinez David Knight Katie Wellington Producing & Touring HR Manager Head of Programme Ticket Office Supervisors Trusts & Foundations Manager Lesley Owusu Anneliese Graham Executive Producer Barbara Birch Edie Culshaw Ninon Jerome Suzanne Walker Mark Hammond HR Coordinator (Maternity Cover) Abigail Parker Senior Development Officer, Braham Lyons Head of Producing & Touring Members & Patrons Projects Producer Bia Oliveira Rebecca Fogg Administrative Apprentice, HR Robyn Cabaret Senior Producer Memberships & Ticketing Tiegan Hummerston Ghislaine Granger Development Coordinator, Programme Manager Producer Services Administrator Corporate Partnerships Richard Cross Ellie Hartwell Ritchie Dach & Events Capital Projects Tour Producer Ornela Salloum Programming Coordinator Aristea Charalampidou Ticket Sales Assistants Projects Facilitator Sarah Lacombe Virginia Aparicio Individual Giving Coordinator Charlotte Meyer Christopher Haddow Technical Production Manager Samuel Bailey Katherine Sharp Adam Carrée Naomi Bowen Clare Bracewell Trusts & Foundations Technical & Building Services Breakin’ Convention Production Accountant Stephanie Brotchie Coordinator Ricci Pleszkan Tim Chen-Hudson Sarah Wingfield Director of Technical Artistic Director, Melissa Collier & Production Breakin’ Convention Producing & Touring Neil Collins Development Assistant Emma Wilson Jonzi D Coordinators Louise Crane Joely Langston Georgia Kersh Katherine Dalton Head of Breakin’ Convention Florent Trioux Florence Evans Michelle Norton Brandon Force Producing & Touring Intern Ben Francis Tour Producer, Phillipe Cato James Hameed Breakin’ Convention Elspeth Harrison Emma Ponsford Wesley Jones Steph Lodge

58 Sadler’s Wells Theatre Sous Chef Events Manager Anna Harrison Housekeeping Paul Walsh Alessio Romani Antony Hately Technical Manager Kylie Hawryliw Cleaning & Zeynep Kepekli Senior Chef De Parties Events Executives Sam Hind Housekeeping Manager Aaron Hartmann Phillipa Owusu Geber Sandoval Heredia Fabian Arias Technical Coordinator Paul Mileham Pascha Rix-Whippey Nadia Jaglom Tom Hares Kornelia Jaroc Housekeeping Operations Kitchen Assistants Jasmine Kambi Supervisor Head of Stage & Flys Ellie-Brook Dean Visitor Experience Athina Kavaklioti Katarzyna Rogulska Colin Wilson Luminita Sfesnic Grace Keeble Head of Visitor Experience Ewa Lamond Cleaning & Housekeeping Head of Lighting & Sound Kitchen Porters Howard Clark Lisa Laville Supervisor Graham Cutting David Cabrol Ljiljana Lemajic Ken Debidin Andrew Ejayese Visitor Experience Intern Maddie Lewis Technicians Serina Lopez Vivien Loh Cleaners Kirsty Campbell Esther Mark Marc Aster Rob Foskett Catering Operations Montana Marlow Albina Boho Kirstin Harrison Front of House Claire Marty Jeffrey Balighot Aran Morrison Manager Katie Mason Fortunato Carian Mark Noble Justin Rogers Senior House Manager Timesha Mathurin Ben Coughlan Nick Rundall Marguerite Bullard Takeshi Matsumoto Kelly Dago Ben Walker Catering Administrator James McAndrew Jesiel Da Silva Janet Elliott House Manager Iona McGuire Jose Lary Legario Wardrobe Supervisor Haroula Lountzi Madeleine Millar Marlon Passial Miwa Mitsuhashi Duty Catering Managers Hannah Millward Mercan Sahin Alessio Colandrea Deputy House Managers Carole Mitchell Thayaparan Eliyathamby Jolanta Petrauskaite Dara Brooks Rhiannon Montagu-Harrison Sinnathamby The Peacock Larry Harrison-Mateeba Thomas Montagu-Harrison Ziegfredo Tanilon Catering Team Leaders Janine Kaufman Joel O’Donoghue Cyrille Tchaho Wandji Technical Manager, Michael Curtin Duncan Steer Amelia O’Hara Crystal Wong The Peacock Marcus Romaneli Duty House Manager Samantha Oldham Antonio Villanueva Paul Burgess Maurice Rowan Bishop Luigi (Gigi) Giannella Raisa Pankalainen Amani Yoboue Sonia Teape Wendy Parry Senior Technician Front of House Sales Hannah Parsons James Kazwini General Catering Assistants Administrator Paula Patritti Security Thomas Pritchard Aliya Aris Louise Cooper Raffaella Petropoulou Karolina Baublyte Nicki Perrett Security Officers Technician Natalie Beale Performance Cashiers Danielle Pollastri Andrew Ayinbode Sophie Brown Nicola Beale Dara Brooks Eloise Price Akeel Ahmed Deborah Boateng Robert Churchill, Magdalena Radlowska Tariq Aziz Rosaleen Brooks Chris Harmer Georgia Redgrave Kenny James Lilian Baylis Studio Jamie Buchanan Larry Harrison-Mateeba Kelly Robinson Nii Lartey Lottie Chivers Alex Wood Rowan Roberts James Moore Senior Technician Sarah Covington, Sonya Crème Chiara Sarra Mohammed Mulla Fraser Thompson-Noble Paige Dehaarte-Wiseman Front of House Assistants Dorit Schwartz Katie Torbett Maria De Melo Sousa Jessie Acton Jamie Sheehan Kemoh Sesay Technician Eva Escribano Olmo Christina Adonoo Shorai Shoniwa-Forchin Pete Maxey Josh Gill Marie-Claire Adriaenessens Benjamin Todd-Jones Deborah Gomes Josiane Adriaenessens-Gardes Caroline Topley Rosalind James Keziah Allen Lily Tran Building Services Egija Kavecka Winifred Arhin-Amankwah Nu Tran James Kent Makiko Aoyama Calvert Watson Senior Building Laura Kerin Serael Asphall Emma Wells Services Technician Jennifer Lake Naida Babic Robert Wilkes Wayne Lawrence Ciara Lynch Paddy Barras-Hargan Jairo Zaldua Niamh Malin Corinna Barker Building Services Technicians Hannah Mason Alex Barnes Richard Emmett Isobelle Mason Lisa Stage Door Mark Hobson Maria Moragas-Auladell Rochelle Belfon Daniel Knapton Claudia Marciano Amy Bentley Receptionist Ghion Mekonnen Katie McGregor Dominic Berry Joann Peek Connor Spencer Chesney Parchment‑Otegbade Alessandra Bertocco Darren Spencer Eva Parets Merino Lorea Burge Stage Door Keepers Alexandra Plaige Becky Byers Marie-Claire Adriaenessens Bethany Pratt Jane Chan Faith Alibi Building Services & Aine Reynolds Vicky Chapman Hollie Ashton-Penketh Technical Coordinator Raffaella Scotto Di Clemente Rita Chowdhury Cory Haas Elsa Stevens Anita Sidoruk Belinda Clark Sam Hopkins Nestor Soto-Tordecilla Marie Deane Laura Kerin Waddah Sinada Ioana Delves-McGuire Vivien Loh Catering & Events Lizzie Treece Helen Doyle Magdalena Radlowska Kathryn Turner Barney Evans-Doran Rosannah Smith Head of Catering & Events Thomas Van-Hulle Lindsey Fraser Marcia Umbelino Zuzana Galikova Razvan-Ioan Vermesan Lauren Ford Michael Warburton Marilyn Webster Carina Griffiths Development Head Chef Hallam Wood Sally Hacking Kenny Warren James Hameed Chris Harmer Aimee Harrison

59 Photography credits

Cover Page 21 Page 43 Edited by Carlos Acosta and Marta The cast of celebrating Mentors and participants Giulia Ascoli Sutra Ortega in Sidi Larbi the production’s 10th during Starting From Alexander Peel Cherkaoui’s part anniversary at Sadler’s Wells. Scratch sessions Mermaid, of Acosta Danza’s Photo: Lucy White Photo: Owen Ling Designed by Debut Photo: Johann Persson Red&White Design Ltd Pages 24-25 Page 44 Page 2 Wild Card: Ella Mesma’s Audience members viewing Printed by Top: Nigel Higgins Breakin’ Convention and Kolophon Ltd Guerreras Photo: Cameron Slater Photo: Camilla Greenwell National Youth Dance Bottom: Alistair Spalding Company short films at Photo: Cameron Slater Page 27 Sadler’s Wells Sampled Jamaal Burkmar’s Photo: Ian Gavan Pages 6-7 part of Wild Card: The Calm, Wayne McGregor’s Gianluca Vincentini Pages 46-47 Photo: Danilo Moroni Botis Seva’s Autobiography 60 Sec, Photo: Andrej Uspenski performed at the Sadler’s Page 28 Wells and UAL’s London Page 9 National Youth Dance College of Fashion Material Hofesh Shechter’s Company performing Movement gala Damien Jalet’s Photo: Richard Eaton Grand Finale Tarantiseismic Photo: Rahi Rezvani Photo: Tony Nandi Page 49 Page 10 Page 31 Nafisah Baba performing Yeah Yellow performing at Alexander Whitley’s Laïla Diallo’s Near The Place Breakin’ Convention 2017 8 Minutes Where Your Feet Pass By, Photo: Ian Gavan Photo: Johan Persson performed at the Sadler’s Wells and UAL’s London Page 12 Page 32 College of Fashion Material Shobana Jeyasingh’s Jonathan Burrows Movement gala (second from left) with Photo: Richard Eaton Bayadère – The Ninth Life Photo: Jane Hobson Summer University artists Photo: Robyn Cabaret Page 50 Pages 14-15 Sadler’s Wells’ HR Manager Honji Wang, Eva Stone Page 35 Lesley Owusu and former and Sébastien Ramirez in Wild Card: Neon Dance Community and Engagement Photo: Camilla Greenwell Intern Jade Leatham at the Dystopian Dream Photo: Johan Persson Queen Elizabeth Olympic Page 36 Park Apprenticeship Page 16 Artists during an Open Awards 2017 Aracaladanza’s Art Surgery session Vuelos Photo: Pedro Arnay Photo: Owen Ling Page 53 Compagnie du Hanneton Page 19 Pages 38-39 in James Thierrée’s balletLORENT’s Audience members taking The Toad Knew part in foyer activities at Photo: Richard Haughton Rumpelstiltskin Photo: Bill Cooper Sadler’s Wells Sampled Photo: Ian Gavan Page 20 BalletBoyz performing Page 40 Craig Revel Horwood’s A foyer performance at , Sadler’s Wells Sampled The Indicator Line part of Photo: Ian Gavan Fourteen Days Photo: Panayiotis Sinnos

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Sadler’s Wells Annual Review 2017–18