Musical
42nd Street
Peggy Sawyer dreams big in this reimagined production of the iconic musical 42nd Street!
Sadler's Wells Theatre is a major London performing arts venue located on on Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell in the Borough of Islington. The present day theatre is the most recent of six theatres that have existed on the same site since 1683. The building, which stands today consists of two performance spaces: the 1,500 seat main auditorium and the Lilian Baylis Studio, with extensive rehearsal rooms and technical facilities also housed within the site. It is recognised as one of the United Kingdom's foremost dance venues and producing houses, with a number of associated artists and companies who produce original works for the theatre. Sadler's Wells is also responsible for the management of the Peacock Theatre in the West End.
History
First theatre and pleasure gardens
Richard Sadler opened a "Musick House" in 1683, the second public theatre opened in London after the restoration. The name Sadler's Wells originates from his name and the rediscovery of monastic springs on his property. The well water being thought to have medicinal properties, Sadler was prompted to claim that drinking the water from the wells would be effective against "dropsy, jaundice, scurvy, green sickness and other distempers to which females are liable – ulcers, fits of the mother, virgin's fever and hypochondriacal distemper".
In 1698 Thomas Guidott the noted Doctor of Physik who popularised the waters of Bath wrote what he called "A true and exact account of Sadler's Well, or, The new mineral-waters lately found out at Islington treating of its nature and virtues: together with an enumeration of the chiefest diseases which it is good for, and against which it may be used, and the manner and order of taking of it".
This brought the health giving properties of the hot mineral waters to the country and soon the aristocracy started to arrive to partake in them.
Thus, this still quite rural London location became famous for both the water and for music, but as more wells were dug and the exclusiveness of Sadler's Wells declined, so did the quality of the entertainment provided – along with the quality of the clientele who were described as "vermin trained up to the gallows" by a contemporary. By 1711, the theatre was characterized as "a nursery of debauchery".
By the mid-1700s, the existence of two "Theatres Royal" –in Covent Garden and Drury Lane– severely limited the ability of other London theatres to legally perform any drama combined with music, thus rather limiting for opera. And Sadler's Wells continued its downward spiral.
The theatre was closed, reopened, and its focus modified six times between then and the opening of the current Sadler's Wells Theatre.
Sadler's Wells Theatre London: The Sixth theatre
The current theatre opened on 11 October 1998 with a performance by Rambert Dance Company. The £54 million project was one of the first projects to receive funding from the National Lottery– which contributed £42 million. The new design gave a stage which was wider and deeper and able to accommodate much larger companies and productions than the one it replaced. A new layout to the auditorium accommodated more seats. An extension at the side of the building provided a new ticket office and foyers rising to the full height of the theatre, provided easier audience access to all levels and included bars, cafes and exhibition spaces. As well as the 1,500 seat main auditorium, Sadler's Wells also has a base at the Peacock Theatre near Aldwych. The rebuilt theatre retains the Grade II listing applied to the former theatre in 1950. It also retains access to the remains of the historic wells that still lie beneath the theatre. The architect was RHWL, the acoustic consultant was Arup Acoustics.
When Ian Albery retired as Chief Executive in October 2002 he was succeeded by Jean Luc Choplin, who had recently worked for Disneyland in Paris and Los Angeles and at one time worked with Rudolf Nureyev as a Managing Director of the Paris Opera Ballet.
Although his contract ran until 2007, in January 2004 Choplin announced that he would be taking up a post at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris in 2006 and left shortly afterwards.
Under the Artistic Directorship of Alistair Spalding since 2004, The Sadler’s Wells Theatre has expanded to become a production house as well as a receiving house hosting performances by visiting companies from the UK and around the world. Balletboyz Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Sylvie Guillem, Akram Khan, Jonzi D, Russell Maliphant, Wayne McGregor, Jasmin Vardimon and Christopher Wheeldon are all Associate Artists/Companies at Sadler’s Wells. This creates opportunities for them to work alongside each other and other collaborators in developing new work. It also contains the 200-seat Lilian Baylis Theatre. Sadler’s Wells also programmes the Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, in London’s West End.
Breakin' Convention , the International Festival of hip hop dance theatre has been produced annually by Sadler’s Wells since 2004.
New Adventures Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake The Next Generation is the current production at Sadler's Wells. The latest booking period for New Adventures Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake The Next Generation at Sadler's Wells started 04/12/2018 19:30:00 and runs until 26/01/2025 14:00:00. Tickets for New Adventures Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake The Next Generation start at £56 and are available to book now.
We recommend using public transportation to get to Sadler’s Wells. The nearest underground station to Sadler’s Wells is Angel Station (Northern Line). Sadler’s Wells has its own bus stop which is serviced by lines 19, 38 and 341. If you are driving to Sadler’s Wells there is free On-street in Hardwick Street and other streets off Rosebery Avenue on weekdays after 6.30pm and from 1.30pm on Saturdays Do NOT park in resident’s bays. The nearest car park outside the congestion zone is Parkfield Street and there is a large car park in Bowling Green Lane.
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Peggy Sawyer dreams big in this reimagined production of the iconic musical 42nd Street!
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The exuberance and energy of Brazil comes to Sadler's... Brasil Brasileiro
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Birmingham Royal Ballet presents two extraordinary shows this season, both celebrating 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare
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One of Rambert’s most celebrated works returns to Sadler’s Wells for the first time in 14 years
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"Simply to watch the collective patterns set in motion by the dancers is entrancing" -- The Guardian
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★★★★“Tanguera ups the stakes and gives tango a blood-and-guts love story to whip its legs around…pure heaven” -- Metro
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Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker
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Rambert: McGregor / Motin / Shechter sees two spectacular dance pieces revived along with a brand-new, hip-hop work by Motin.
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Michael Keegan-Dolan's MAM to have UK premiere at London's Sadler's Wells
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San Francisco Ballet present new work by McIntyre, Wheeldon and Dawson, tickets available now!
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Don't miss the best from Danse Élargie: Dance Expanded as they perform for an unprecedented special event at Sadler's Wells.
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My only love sprung from my only hate.
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Xuanzang’s Pilgrimage is a unique musical journey into the soul and culture of China and the East.
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Dystopian Dream is created from a concept originated by composer Nitin Sawhney and co-devised with Honji Wang and Sébastien Ramirez.
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Birmingham Royal Ballet brings new double bill Unleashed to Sadler's Well for the surprise ballet hit of the summer!
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A poignant reflection on World War.
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San Francisco Ballet present works by Welch, Scarlett and Peck in this new triple bill
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Israelian-born choreographer Emanuel Gat brings his sex-piece compilation entitled Works to Sadler's Wells!
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Aracaladanza group and their amazing Vuelos - Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s quest to make man fly.
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Russell Maliphant & Vangelis: The Thread makes its world premiere at Sadler's Wells this spring.
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Paco Peña brings Solera to Sadler's Wells for 6 performances only!
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Following the choreographer’s death in 2009, the company is now ready to embark on the expansion of this hallowed repertoire.
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Geisha Kenneth Tindall's new full length ballet
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Award winning Russell Maliphant Company brings Silent Lines to London
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Overflow in London for 2 performances only!
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Birmingham Royal Ballet brings an unforgettable rendition of Giselle to Sadler's Wells this autumn!
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Renowned French choreographer Gisèle Vienne premieres her hit piece Crowd at Sadler's Wells this October.
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Olga Pericet's The Thorn That Wanted to be a Flower, or The Flower That Dreamed of Being a Dancer UK premiere.
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The UK Premiere of Kidd Pivot's Revisor for 3 performances only!
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Don't miss the highly anticipated UK premiere of Dorrance Dance — Myelination and other works!
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Natalia Osipova returns to Sadler's Wells with acclaimed show Pure Dance backed by popular demand.
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Rocio Molina brings her Olivier Award nominated Fallen From Heaven back to the West End for one night only!
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Carlos Acosta brings a new Birmingham Royal Ballet bill to Sadler's Wells
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The Greek classics provide inspiration but are brought to life in ways you've never imagined.
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Tickets available for the UK premiere of San Francisco Ballet's Shostakovich Trilogy
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Yang Liping returns to London with her haunting reimagining of Rite of Spring
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Rumpelstiltskin as you've never seen it before.
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Damien Jalet & Kohei Nawa: Vessel
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Direct from Havana Cuba
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Led by artistic director Katrín Hall
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Sara Baras returns to the West End stage with Sombras a unique take on the Farruca
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TAO Dance Theater: 4 & 9 comes to London for 2 performances only!
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Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan bring 13 Tongues & Dust to Sadler's Wells!
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Birmingham Royal Ballet brings in-person performances of Lazuli Sky to Sadler's Wells
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Experience three timely and timeless dance pieces with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
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Mark Morris Dance Group: Pepperland
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Dada Masilo's groundbreaking reimagining of the renowned Giselle ballet is coming to Sadler's Wells for a limited time!
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See why Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are Americas most popular dance groups!
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The Great Gatsby Ballet comes to Sadler's Wells Theatre for the party of a lifetime!
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Dorantes, Tim Ries and Adam Ben Ezra with guest artist Jesús Carmona — Flamenco meets Jazz
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Liszt mosaics at Sadler's Wells for one-night-only!
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Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch — Bluebeard
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National Youth Dance Company and Botis Seva present contemporary new dance production MADHEAD
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Dance and song at opposite ends of the spectrum come together in this exciting show.
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Akram Khan brings his theatrical Until the Lions piece to Sadler's Wells for the first time ever!
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Strictly Come Dancing stars Neil and Katya Jones bring their new show Somnium to London's West End
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Max Award nominee Patricia Guerrero in Catedral for one night only!
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One of the world's most famous operas meets revolution in a sultry new adaptation.
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Rambert — Rambert Event comes to Sadler's Wells this November with a unique juxtaposition of dance, music and art design!
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Don't miss this chance to celebrate with Sadler's Wells!
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Don't miss this chance to celebrate with Sadler's Wells!
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Quick-witted and even quicker footed.
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Young Associates together with Hetain Patel bring new dance show 'Together, not the same' to life.
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Richard Alston Dance Company celebrates 25 years with a very limited engagement of Quartermark at Sadler's Wells
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Nederlands Dans Theatre 1 & 2 - Kunstkamer
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A thrilling new double bill
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This celebrated company presents 3 pieces of mesmerizing theatre.
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J.S. Bach's Six Brandenburg Concertos come to life on the Sadler's Wells stage!
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Richard Alston Dance Company says farewell with Final Edition
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Spanish company Aracaladanza return for Sadler's Wells' Family Weekend with new show Play
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"Superbly constructed, inventively musical, beautiful and profoundly humane" The Guardian On Transfigured Night
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Akram Kahn brings this otherworldly tale of isolation and belonging to Sadler's Wells.
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BalletBoyz are back at Sadler's Wells with Deluxe
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GöteborgsOperans Danskompani presents Skid by Damien Jalet and SAABA by Sharon Eyal!
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Witness Turn it Out with Tiler Peck & Friends with award-winning ballet dancer Tiler Peck!
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Léo Delibes' ballet has been given a high-tech makeover in this adaptation of Coppélia!
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This original production is an intense and modern re-imagining of one of the most famous love stories ever told.
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Julie Cunningham & Company – how did we get here? opposes patriarchal and gender norms!
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Akram Khan’s Jungle Book reimagined shows a world completely devastated by the Climate Crisis.
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Saregama Live – Disco Dancer at Sadler's Wells, a showcase of Indian 80s Disco.
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Jasmin Vardimon - ALiCE comes to Sadler's Wells Theatre for a stunning showcase of dance.
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Adapt, improvise, overcome. The Ruggeds present a vivid duo of pieces in State Shift!
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Alina Cojocaru presents La Strada at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London
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Darbar Festival 2019 featuring Akram Khan is set to take the dance world by storm once again at Sadler's Wells this autumn!
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"The experience is riveting" - New York Times
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Hofesh Shechter returns to the West End!
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Akram Khan Company – We are but Shadows
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OUT OF ASIA 2: Bodies forming landscapes and inanimate objects, Mr. Tao deconstructs the traditional notion of dance
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Olivier Award-winning dancer returns with XENOS at Sadler's Wells!
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Suitable for all ages, this is a perfect introduction to the world of ballet for the whole family!
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"Sadler’s Wells has struck gold with its annual season of flamenco" -- The Independent
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"So perfect you could watch it every day" - Evening on 'Still Life' at the Penguin Café
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"Sadler’s Wells has struck gold with its annual season of flamenco" -- The Independent
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"It sits in your throat, burning. And it stays with you" - Washington Post
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Don't miss this amazing extension of the themes presented in OCD Love.
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"A sexily samba-soaked, hip-swinging, arm-waving, whistle-blowing fiesta" - Daily Telegraph
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One of India’s most brilliant and distinctive sitarists of her generation.
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A special double bill bringing together Hindustani khayal vocals and instrumental traditions.
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This show, illuminated by the human genome, creates itself anew each performance.
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Masurca Fogo is an upbeat piece of dance theatre with all of Pina Bausch’s trademark ingenuity on display.
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★★★★★ "A thing of wonder" - Irish Times
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"Chafes against the life that keeps on going until nothing but a breathing body and a beating heart remain" - De Standaard
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A new piece by Akram Khan that explores the Epic of Gilgamesh. Don't miss Outwitting the Devil this autumn!
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Established in 1926, Britain’s oldest dance company, Rambert, are celebrating their anniversary in style
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4 choreographers, 4 composers, 4 pieces, 14 days.
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A triple bill of vibrant new talents, brilliant technique, vivid characterisation and electrifying energy!
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Birmingham Royal Ballet presents two extraordinary shows this season, both celebrating 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare
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"A delightful family show. It is absolutely astonishing" - Daily Telegraph
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The 21st century take on the classical tale of Pinocchio
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Don't miss 'a masterpiece of 21st century dance!" Akram Khan's Giselle hits Sadler's Wells this September for a strictly limited run!
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★★★★★ "An exceptional evening, elegant yet imbued with force. Excellent, all of it" -- The Times
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A feast of dance, music, costumes and lots of fun, this is a perfect introduction to ballet.
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"Sadler’s Wells has struck gold with its annual season of flamenco" -- The Independent
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You surely have not seen anything like this before: Traditional Chinese tale with a modern take including hip-hop and modern dance
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Experience the magic of inclusivity and dance with Empower In Motion - A Ballet Inclusive
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Northern Ballet: Victoria makes its way to London Sadler's Wells as part of its highly anticipated UK tour.
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Tennessee William's classic is reimagined for the Sadler's Wells season!
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After three decades, they're back!
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★★★★★ "His best show yet: poignant, thrilling, magical, moving and utterly transfixing" - The Daily Telegraph
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Bourne's vivid storytelling has never been more heart-stopping and touching...
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Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty returns to Sadler's Wells for Christmas 2022
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Step through the wardrobe into the magic kingdom of Narnia...