Tales of Dafne and Calypso: A Female Odyssey
A captivating and dynamic performance by New English Ballet Theatre’s world-famous dance makers, exploring the theme of female heroines in mythology and beyond.
Music by George Fredric Handel, Claudio Monteverdi, Antonio Vivaldi recomposed by Max Richter and Ryan Cockerham
Escape into the world of mythology and power struggles in this exciting evening for all. Discover the world of creative power and lyricism with the cutting-edge dance makers of the next generation of talent.
In this new production New English Ballet Theatre’s dancers are joined by international guest artists, Fernanda Oliveira and Fabian Reimair.
Works include creations by Royal Ballet Principal Matthew Ball, Sky Arts Award winner Valentino Zucchetti, and Jenna Lee and Marika Brussel, two of our most renowned choreographers.
Valentino Zucchetti will create the first half with a newly commissioned piece set to Handel’s Apollo e Dafne, followed by a brand-new pas de deux created on our guest artists exclusively for NEBT.
Marika Brussel’s By a Thread: Calypso puts the nymph Calypso centre stage. A new adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey, it shows women who don’t need rescuing but instead lead the narrative.
Choreographed by Jenna Lee, the ‘Summer’ pas-de-deux from The Four Seasons explodes onto the stage. Set to Max Richter’s re-composition of Vivaldi’s famous score, this sensual work evokes languid, hot, endless summer evenings where everything is possible, just before the storm breaks loose …
The programme closes with Acts of Exaltation by Royal Ballet Principal Matthew Ball, a joyous exploration of communities coming together to celebrate.
“Across the … pieces of dance, and their different dance styles, what remains a constant pleasure is the skill and dedication of the New English Ballet Theatre dancers.” – Seen and Heard International
“Acts of Exaltation … set to music by Claudio Monteverdi … devises complex patterns of bodies, arms and hands. … Elsewhere it opens out into sections that give the dancers light and freedom, allowing them to express a collective sense of joy in movement.” – Seen and Heard International
“Bright and elegant, great assurance and maturity. Jenna Lee’s The Four Seasons captures all the lightness and drama of Vivaldi’s famous compositions … this is a bright and elegant work danced with precision.” – The Stage
“Danced to original music by Ryan Cockerham, By a Thread celebrates not only the power of women, but also the potential for peace if humanity can stop blindly drifting into conflict” – Georgina Butler, Independent Dance Writer
Apollo e Dafne
Choreography: Valentino Zucchetti
Music: George Fredric Handel – Apollo e Dafne
Costume Design: TBC
Lighting Design: TBC
New Work
Choreography: Valentino Zucchetti
Music: TBC
Costume Design: TBC
Lighting Design: TBC
The Four Seasons
Choreography: Jenna Lee
Music: Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons
Costume Design: April Dalton
Lighting Design: Andrew Ellis
By a Thread: Calypso
Choreography: Marika Brussel
Music: Ryan Cockerham
Costume Design: Erica Johnston and Marika Brussel
Lighting Design: TBC
Acts of Exaltation
Choreography: Matthew Ball
Music: Claudio Monteverdi
Costume Design: Elin Steele
Lighting Design: Andrew Ellis