Press Release Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, , EC1R 4TN

UK TOUR Far From The Norm BLKDOG

Vital and gripping, BLKDOG is the Olivier Award-winning work from Botis Seva, exploring coping mechanisms in youth culture. Co-produced by Far From The Norm and Sadler’s Wells, BLKDOG tours the UK in spring 2020 with performances at Sadler’s Wells on 15 & 16 October 2020 (tickets on sale in May).

A genre-defying blend of hip hop dance and free form antics, the latest edition of BLKDOG explores the inner battlefield of an ageing artist trying to retain his youth. Performed by Seva’s powerhouse company Far From The Norm, BLKDOG searches for coping mechanisms in the ultimate hunt for acceptance.

An excerpt of BLKDOG was originally performed at Sadler’s Wells in Autumn 2018 as part of an evening of new commissions to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the current Sadler’s Wells .

In August 2018, Seva collaborated with Billy Boyd Cape to create a short film, Reach, commissioned by Sadler’s Wells as part of Channel 4’s Random Acts series. Far From The Norm has previously performed at Sadler’s Wells with Breakin’ Convention and curated a Wild Card evening. Seva was Guest Artistic Director of National Youth Dance Company, run by Sadler’s Wells, in 2018 – 2019 and is currently one of four choreographers working on a new commission with Northern Contemporary Dance School’s postgraduate company, VERVE.

BLKDOG’s music comes from long-standing collaborator Torben Lars Sylvest who has also worked with Scottish Dance Theatre and Ivan Blackstock; Designer Ryan Dawson Laight designs costume, whose credits include Gary Clark Company’s WASTELAND and Aakash Odedra Company’s #JeSuis; whilst lighting comes from the Tom Visser, also known for his creations with Nederlands Dance Theater and Sadler’s Wells Associate Artists Hofesh Shechter and Crystal Pite.

BLKDOG is co-produced by Far From The Norm and Sadler’s Wells, and supported by Arts Council England.

Press night: 15 October at 7:30pm at Sadler’s Wells

For further press information or to arrange interviews, please contact Chelsea Robinson on 0207 863 8114 or [email protected]

BLKDOG tour 11 February - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry 25 February - Nuffield Southampton City, Southampton 28 February - DanceEast, Ipswich 10 March - Northern Stage, Newcastle 19 March - Midlands Arts Centre, 26 March - The Lowry, 30 April - The Point, Hampshire Autumn dates are yet to be announced www.blkdog.co.uk

Notes to Editors

ABOUT BOTIS SEVA Choreographer, dance artist and director Botis Seva is working within the realms of hip hop dance theatre. He was awarded the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production in 2019, Bonnie Bird Choreography Fund in 2015, Marion North Mentoring Award in 2015 and has won two international choreographic competitions: Choreography 30 in Hannover, Germany and Copenhagen’s International Choreographic Competition.

Botis’ recent dance credits include choreography for Northern Contemporary Dance School’s international touring company VERVE, 2018/19 Guest Artistic Director of Sadler’s Wells’ National Youth Dance Company with MADHEAD, Movement Direction for Rupert Goold’s The Hunt at the Alemida Theatre, Reach in collaboration with Billy Boyd Cape, commissioned by Sadler’s Wells as part of Channel 4’s Random Acts series, Studio Wayne McGregor and Robin Friend’s Live work Winged Bull in the Elephant Case for BBC2, InNoForm for the British Dance Edition & Laban Theatre, Woman of Sun for Greenwich Dance & Trinity Laban Partnership Compass Commission, outdoor work H.O.H for Without Walls, GDIF & Norfolk & Norwich Festival and TuTuMucky for Scottish Dance Theatre. Botis and his collective Far From the Norm previously performed at Sadler’s Wells with Breakin’ Convention and curated a Wild Card evening in the Lilian Baylis Studio.

ABOUT FAR FROM THE NORM Established in May 2009, Far From The Norm was founded by artistic director Botis Seva and is a collective of dance artists renowned for experimenting with hip hop form whilst tackling socio-political concerns. Far From The Norm’s work portfolio crosses theatre performances, outdoor spectacles and immersive experiences that are renowned for challenging yet inspiring their audiences. The company is committed to producing evocative, authentic work by taking audiences on visceral journeys whilst presenting conceptual yet compelling truths.

Far From The Norm has performed nationally and internationally at theatre festivals such as SiDance (South Korea), Tanzgala (Germany), Austria’s Hip Hop Goes Theatre (Austria), VAULT Festival (London), Aerowaves Spring Forward (Denmark), Breakin’ Convention (Luxembourg & Toronto) Urban Moves (Oslo, Norway) and San Francisco’s International Hip Hop Dance Fest (USA). They have presented work in venues across the country including The Lowry in Salford, in Birmingham, Bay Theatre in Weymouth, The Riverfront in Newport, The Place in London and Nottingham Arts Theatre. Far From The Norm has also toured extensively in the outdoor festival circuit including Latitude Festival, Imagine Watford, Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, Dancing’ Oxford and Lyric Hammersmith. www.farfromthenorm.com

ABOUT SADLER’S WELLS Sadler's Wells is a world-leading creative organisation dedicated to dance in all its forms. With over three centuries of theatrical heritage and a year-round programme of performances and learning activities, it is the place where artists come together to create dance, and where people of all backgrounds come to experience it – to take part, learn, experiment and be inspired.

Audiences of over half a million come to its London each year, with many more enjoying its touring productions at venues across the UK and around the world, and accessing its content through digital channels.

Sadler's Wells commissions, produces and presents more new dance work than any other theatre in the world, embracing the popular and the unknown. Since 2005, it has helped to bring over 160 new dance works to the stage, many of them involving its 16 Associate Artists, three Resident Companies and four Associate Companies – the most exciting talents working in dance today.

It also nurtures the next generation of talent through research and development, running the National Youth Dance Company and a range of programmes including Wild Card, New Wave Associates, Open Art Surgery and Summer University. Sadler's Wells' learning and engagement activities reach over 25,000 annually through programmes that take dance out into the community and invite communities into the theatre. Projects include community productions and the renowned Company of Elders, its resident over-60s performance group, while events range from pre and post-show talks with dance artists to classes, workshops and assisted performances.

Located in Islington, north London, the current building is the sixth to have stood on site since entrepreneur Richard Sadler first established the theatre in 1683. The venue has played an illustrious role in the history of theatre ever since, with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Opera having all started at Sadler's Wells. www.sadlerswells.com