Jan Martens, any attempt will end..., Sadler's Wells

Continuing its mission to divulge the work of continental European artists, Sadler's Wells hosts the UK premiere of the Belgian choreographer Jan Martens's any attempt will end in crushed bodies and shattered bones.

This piece has a number of interesting particularities: it is performed by a vastly diverse 17-strong group of dancers, that range in age from 17 to 70 and whose experience, training, background and body shape vary considerably, too.

Additionally, any attempt will end in crushed bodies and shattered bones asks how dance can be a form of resistance or rebellion. The piece is inspired by the wave of protests that has shaken the world over the past few years, from the Black Lives Matter movement, to the persistent protests of the gilets jaunes in France, the young climate activists, and the women's marches in the USA and Chile. The title is a quote from President Xi Jinping of China, addressed to the demonstrators who occupied the streets of Hong Kong for months in 2019.

It is set to a sound score which combines international protest songs from various epochs, and work by the Polish composer Henryk Gorecki, jazz musicians Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln, and spoken word artist Kae Tempest.

As you can see from this trailer, it's intense and possibly not for every taste.