Elixir Festival, Sadler's Wells

Elixir Festival is a comprehensive programme of dance, workshops and various related events – and this preview doesn't aim to list every single one of them. Instead, we’ve opted to highlight some of the most exciting moments of the festival’s five days.

KnowBody II, which will be performed for two days (23 and 24 June) on Sadler’s Wells’ main stage, is one such highlight, as it features work from contemporary choreographers William Forsythe and Mats Ek.

Forsythe’s piece, Catalogue (First Edition), is performed by Dance On Ensemble and showcases the talents of two of Forsythe’s past company dancers, Jill Johnson and Christopher Roman.

DANCE ON - Trailer Catalogue (First Edition) - WILLIAM FORSYTHE from DIEHL+RITTER on Vimeo.

Mats Ek’s work, Axe, has its UK premiere as part of KnowBody II and is performed by the truly exceptional dancer Ana Laguna (Ek’s wife and longtime dance partner) and Yvan Auzely. The evening also includes work by choreographer Pascal Merighi, in collaboration with father and daughter duo Dominique Mercy and Thusnelda Mercy.

The prospect of two generations of Mercys, both former artists with Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch, dancing together is mouth-watering.

The evening also brings us a work specially commissioned from choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh for the hugely engaging Company of Elders.

Also worthy of a special mention is 7 Dialogues, which the full cast of Dance On Ensemble will debut later in the festival (26 and 27 June). This is an intriguing collaboration between six choreographers and theatre-makers and six dancers. Orchestrated by avant-garde composer Matteo Fargion, this should be a challenging and thought-provoking event.

For a full programme of Elixir Festival events click here

Exclusive Discount Ticket Offer: 23/24 June – Tickets £5 (subject to availability) Booking Fee applies: £3 for phone bookings; £1.95 online bookings. Promotion code: 'elders'