PICS: Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty gala at Sadler’s Wells

On Sunday (6th December) Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty celebrated its opening at Sadler’s Wells with a special gala performance.

VIP guests in attendance included Douglas Booth, Anita Dobson, Freddie Fox, Kate Garraway, Ruth Jones, Andrew Marr, Brian May, Annie Lennox, Adrian Lester, Tamzin Outhwaite and Susanna Reid. Check out images from the gala below (click picture to enlarge).

Sadler’s Wells staging show to celebrate Jonathan Ollivier

It has been announced that New Adventures and Re:Bourne will present an evening of dance to celebrate the life of Jonathan Ollivier, who died tragically earlier this year before the final performance of The Car Man at Sadler’s Wells.

MR WONDERFUL – A CELEBRATION OF JONATHAN OLLIVIER’S LIFE IN DANCE will take place on 18th January 2016 at 7.30PM at Sadler’s Wells. 

Matthew Bourne said today “Following the tragic events of the summer many colleagues and friends from across the dance industry expressed to us a desire to come together and celebrate Jonny's life and also to provide some ongoing support to his young family. I'm thrilled that so many wonderful artists will come together in January to remember and celebrate Jonny's career through a programme of exceptional dance”.

Casting announced for Sadler’s Wells run of Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty

New Adventures have announced principal casting for the first revival of Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty at Sadler’s Wells. The eight week Christmas season opens on 9th December 2015 (previews from 1st December) and runs until 24th January 2016.

Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty is described as "a gothic tale for all ages; the traditional tale of good vs. evil and rebirth is turned upside-down, creating a supernatural love story that even the passage of time itself cannot hinder."

Returning to the central role of Aurora in this first revival is rising star Ashley Shaw. Ashley recently played Lana in the triumphant revival of The Car Man, and has also played Kim in Edward Scissorhands, Sugar in Nutcracker! and the title role in Cinderella. Cordelia Braithwaite made her debut with New Adventures in Swan Lake in 2013 and has since featured in this year’s revival of The Car Man, covering the role of Lana. Cordelia makes her debut as Aurora this season; her first Principal role with New Adventures.

Jonathan Ollivier killed in motorcycle accident

Performer Jonathan Ollivier has been killed in a motorcycle accident.

Ollivier was starring as Luca in Matthew Bourne's The Car Man. Tonight's final performance (9th August 2015) of the production at Sadler's Wells was cancelled following the tragic accident.

Writing on Facebook, Ollivier's sister Rachel Ollivier said: "To all my beautiful little bro friends, it is with a heavy heart that we have to tell you that Jon tragically died today. We love him and will miss him massively."

Writing on Twitter, Ollivier's co-star in The Car Man Zizi Strallen said: "Thank you for being the most amazing partner Jonny. You've inspired so many people to do what they love. You will be missed everyday."

Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty returns for UK Tour & Sadler’s Wells Christmas season

New Adventures have announced plans for the first revival of Matthew Bourne’s staging of Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty.

Bourne’s haunting new scenario is a gothic tale for all ages; the traditional tale of good vs. evil and rebirth is turned upside-down, creating a supernatural love story that even the passage of time itself cannot hinder.

The extensive national tour opens at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth on Saturday 17th October 2015 with an eight week Christmas season at Sadler’s Wells from Tuesday 1st December 2015 to Saturday 24th January 2016 (press night on Wednesday 9th December 2015).

London cast announced for Matthew Bourne’s Lord of the Flies

A talented group of 22 young dancers aged 10 - 23 from across London will take to the Sadler’s Wells stage to perform in Matthew Bourne’s production of Lord of the Flies between 8th - 11th October 2014. They will perform alongside professional dancers from New Adventures.

Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Matthew Bourne and his company New Adventures have become household names with their hugely successful dance theatre productions, including Nutcracker!, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake.

Lord of the Flies is a thrilling new show inspired by William Golding’s classic dystopian novel. As a group of schoolboys find themselves abandoned in a deserted theatre, they start to make their own rules and create their own civilisation, before order breaks down and the story builds to an electrifying climax.

Photo Feature: The international cast of West Side Story storm London’s Leake Street

The international cast of West Side Story are currently in London for the show's run at Sadler’s Wells (until 22nd September). Recently some of the members of the two rival gangs (The Jets and The Sharks) headed to London’s Leake Street, SE1 to recreate some of the show’s most iconic dance moves. Take a look at the images below (click on an image to enlarge).

West Side Story changed the course of musical theatre when it opened on Broadway in 1957 and it still remains one of the most successful stage shows of all time. The 1961 film version won ten Academy Awards. Based on Romeo and Juliet,West Side Story is set on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and explores the rivalry between two teenage gangs; one white, the other Puerto Rican. When Tony falls in love with Maria, the sister of the rival gang’s leader, the feud takes on a new dimension, and as their love blossoms so begins a fatal journey overshadowed by violence and hatred.