Ballet Black Double Bill, Linbury theatre

Ballet Black was founded in 2001 by its British-Trinidadian artistic director Cassa Pancho MBE to provide role models – and opportunities – for young aspiring black and Asian dancers. The company also endeavours to encourage a more diverse audience to experience going to watch ballet.

Ballet Black’s ever-expanding repertoire is always broad in scope and features daring choreography, danced with charisma.

This summer Ballet Black come to the ROH’s Linbury Theatre with a double bill that includes The Suit, by Cathy Marston, and Ingoma, by Mthuthuzeli November.

The British choreographer Cathy Marston is renowned for her expressive, beautifully-crafted narrative work.

Inspired by Can Themba’s South African fable, The Suit, Marston reunited with composer Philip Feeney to turn the story of love, betrayal and death into an emotional ballet.

One seemingly normal day, Philemon finds his wife Matilda in bed with another man who hastily departs in his underwear - leaving his suit behind.

Bitter Philemon cruelly demands that Matilda treats the abandoned suit as an honoured guest. Humiliated, Matilda soon finds the shame unbearable…

Imaginative choreography sees Marston use the company not only as an ensemble but also to create the setting. For instance, when Philemon prepares for work the other dancers become the wash basin, assisting with the ablutions.

Elsewhere, Marston contrasts Matilda’s romantic liaisons in narrative pas de deux. She candidly showcases the affection between husband and wife, and the illicit lovemaking between a married woman and her fancy man.

The second ballet, Ingoma, comes courtesy of Ballet Black dancer Mthuthuzeli November.

Raised by a single mother in a small fruit farming town in South Africa’s Western Cape, November started dancing at 15 and was soon awarded a scholarship to attend the Cape Academy of Performing Arts.

November joined Ballet Black in September 2015 and now dances with both Ballet Black in London and Cape Dance Company in Cape Town.

Ingoma (meaning song), considers the struggles of black South African miners in 1946 – the year 60,000 of them took courageous strike action.

November portrays this milestone moment in South Africa’s history through a fusion of ballet, African dance and singing.

Age Guidance: 12+
Returns Only
Insights: Ballet Black in Rehearsal, LInbury Theatre 28 May at 19:45 Tickets: £10 – £17 Details and tickets here