Ballet Black celebrates its 25th anniversary with a double bill of Mthuthuzeli November's 'Ingoma' and a new commission by choreographer Hope Boykin.
Ballet Black are at Theatre Royal on Thursday 12 November, with a double bill that marks their 25th anniversary. It's a quarter-century for the company, which Cassa Pancho leads, and the two pieces they've paired together for the night come from opposite ends of their recent history.
One half is Ingoma, the 2019 choreographic debut of former company dancer Mthuthuzeli November. It takes its inspiration from the 1946 South African miners' strike and went on to pick up both an Olivier Award and a Black British Theatre Award for Best Dance Production. The other half is ...all towards hope, a new commission by Hope Boykin, who's Alvin Ailey royalty and a two-time Bessie Award winner. This is her UK choreographic debut, so it's a first look at her work on a British stage.
That pairing says something about where the company has been and where it's going. Over twenty-five years, Ballet Black has built its name on bringing bold, original ballet to stages across the UK, with stories and dancers from around the world. Much of that work has been about opening doors for dancers and artists of Black and Asian descent, and challenging what audiences expect from ballet. Having a piece that's already won major awards alongside a brand-new commission from an American choreographer fits that pattern.
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On the night, the two acts run about 35 minutes each, with a 20-minute interval in between. It's recommended for ages seven and over, and the production uses haze, bright lights and strobe lighting. The performance starts at 7:30 pm at Theatre Royal, Theatre Square, Nottingham NG1 5ND.
