Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Sadler's Wells

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) is one of the most vibrant and exciting troupes in the USA. Predominantly, though not exclusively, African-American, its 32 highly technical dancers burst with vim and energy, but are capable of great finesse and moments of deeply moving introspection.

In short, their forthcoming residency at Sadler’s Wells is not to be missed.

AAADt have just celebrated their 60th anniversary; their founder and main choreographer Alvin Ailey himself died in 1989, but he laid firm foundations for the company’s development inviting a variety of choreographers to create work specifically for the company, a practice which persists to this day, and ensures the company remains fresh and able to surprise audiences.

For their 10-day residency at Sadler’s Wells AAADT bring three programmes. In keeping with tradition, every programme the company dance anywhere ends with Revelations, Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece, which encompasses African-American culture in all its infinite variety, from explosive joy to deep grief and is danced to totemic numbers from the blues and gospel canons.


In Programme A Revelations is preceded by Lazarus, the company’s first ever two-act ballet, created for them by the acclaimed hip hop choreographer Rennie Harris. The work addresses the inequities African-Americans faced in 1958, when Alvin Ailey founded his Dance company, and still face today.
Lazarus is set to an eclectic score that encompasses original music, Nina Simone and the voice of Ailey himself.
Programme A – 4, 6, 8, 14 September at 19:30. Matinees 7, 12 at 14:30 Dur.: 2 hours 5 mins inc two intervals.

Programme B includes, besides Revelations, three pieces: artistic director Robert Battle’s first work for the company, Juba, which sets folk traditions in the modern world; The Call, an homage to the founder by Ronald K Brown, set to a medley of music that includes J S Bach; and Jessica Lang’s EN, which explores fate, destiny and the metaphor of the circle.
Programme B – 5, 7, 11, 13 September at 19:30. Sun 8 at 14:30 Dur.: 2 hours 5 mins inc two intervals.

Programme C pairs off Revelations with a trio of works, each with an interesting particularity. Members Don’t Get Weary bears the signature of company dancer and up-and-coming choreographer Jamar Roberts and is inspired by the notion of ‘having the blues.’
Ella is a challenging duet from Robert Battle marking the centenary of Ella Fitzgerald’s birth. And we’re promised a new work, as yet unnamed, by the multi-faceted choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie.
Programme C – 10, 12 September at 19:30. Matinee 14 at 14:30 Dur.: 2 hours 5 mins inc two intervals.

Pick one, or go to them all; but make sure you don’t miss the extraordinary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at Sadler’s Wells this Autumn.