Stage: Ballet Black comes to Worthing’s Connaught Theatre

Ballet Black has announced the national tour for their latest production Triple Bill, which comes to Worthing’s Connaught Theatre on Friday 19th May. The Triple Bill collaborates three dance pieces into one show, including a new ballet by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (co-commissioned by the Barbican and dramaturgy by Patricia Doyle), who turns a popular fairy tale on its head as she gives Red Riding Hood a surprising twist.

Celebrated British choreographer Michael Corder, whose glittering versions of Cinderella and The Snow Queen have been seen across Europe, creates an abstract piece, House of Dreams: a sparkling new quartet exploring themes of love and loss set to the delicate music of Claude Debussy with costume designs from Ballet Black’s long-term collaborator, Yukiko Tsukamoto.

A four-hander characterised by intricate detail and propulsive energy, Captured ebbs and flows to the fiery emotion of Martin Lawrance’s edgy choreography, set to a Shostakovich string quartet.
Artistic Director Cassa Pancho commissions bold choreography once more, blending the classical and contemporary, narrative and abstract, for her ballet company comprising international dancers of black and Asian descent. The company aims to bring ballet to a more culturally diverse audience by celebrating the talent of dancers from around the world.

Bold choreography, blending the classical and contemporary

Cassa Pancho, Founder and Artistic Director, said: “We are delighted to premiere our new programme touring around the UK and internationally. We are excited to be once again showcasing some of the world’s best choreographic talent and are very happy to be working again this year with Martin Lawrance, as well as our first collaboration with South Bank Sky Arts Award-winner Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and celebrated British choreographer Michael Corder.”

Founded in 2001, Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black is an award-winning, neo-classical ballet company, dedicated to diversifying classical ballet. The entirely original repertoire covers a broad spectrum of ballet, from classical work to highly contemporary pieces. Since 2001, they have built a varied repertoire from the best emerging and established choreographers, including Liam Scarlett, Shobana Jeyasingh, Martin Lawrance, Richard Alston, Christopher Hampson, Christopher Marney and Javier De Frutos.

Ballet Black has achieved great success and garnered numerous awards, including the 2012 Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Best Independent Company, and a further nomination for 2014.
Connaught Theatre, 19th May

For booking enquiries call the Worthing Theatres box office on 01903 206 206 or visit worthingtheatres.co.uk.