Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black returns to the Royal Opera House
Now in its 22nd year, Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black returns to the Linbury Theatre in November with a double bill of new work – Ballet Black: HEROES, from choreographers Mthuthuzeli November and Sophie Laplane.
Mthuthuzeli November contemplates the purpose of life in The Waiting Game, his exciting and energetic work about the meaning of life originally created in 2020, infused with a dynamic soundtrack featuring the voices of the Ballet Black dancers. The Waiting Game was inspired by Samuel Beckett and explores the absurdism of existence and the passing of time through movement and musical ideas. The uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring and how thoughts can change rapidly, confusing us.
Franco-British artist Sophie Laplane, Choreographer in Residence at Scottish Ballet, creates a new piece for Ballet Black, following her 2019 ballet for the company, CLICK!. Laplane’s inspiration for this new work If At First, came from viewing Jean-Michel Basquiat’s painting, Eroica (heroic), one of a series of paintings in which he visually explores the concept of heroism. If At First explores a more subtle heroism, a quieter triumph over adversity, in a struggle that unites us all. Humanity, heroism, and self-acceptance combine in this celebratory and original piece.
Ballet Black was founded in 2001 by Cassa Pancho MBE, now an award-winning company with a long-standing commitment to diversifying the ballet industry. Dancers of African, Caribbean and Asian descent perform a varied repertoire from some of the best emerging and established choreographers from around the world. Cassa Pancho has commissioned over 65 new works, actively supporting female choreographers from the early stages of their careers, as well as identifying new and providing existing choreographic talent with an exceptional group of dancers and a platform to match.
Ballet Black
BALLET BLACK: HEROES
Linbury Theatre
7-10 November 2024
The Waiting Game (2020)
Originally created with support from The Linbury Trust
Choreography Mthuthuzeli November
Music The Waiting Game (2023) composed by Mthuthuzeli November & Alex Wilson
Lighting Design David Plater
Costume Peter Todd (2020)
Door design Richard Bolton & Phil Cristodolou
Voiceover by The Artists of Ballet Black, past and present
If At First
A co-commission with Barbican
Choreography Sophie Laplane
Lighting Design David Plater
Costume Design Jessica Cabassa
Creative consultant James Bonas
Music Ludwig von Beethoven, Olivia Belli, Dans Dans, Michelle Gurevich, Dustin O’Halloran and Tom Harrold
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
