Page 348 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

346  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Dance
Deptford, south London,
An array of London venues including the Royal Opera House, the Laban Theatre presents
the London Coliseum, Sadler’s Wells and The Place theatre a rich and diverse mix of dance,
all regularly host performances by both London-based music and physical theatre.
dance companies and those visiting from around the Other venues include the
Institute of Contemporary
world, from the classic Bolshoi Ballet to the innovative Jaleo Arts (ICA) (see p96) and the
Flamenco. There are also performances at the Southbank Chisenhale Dance Space, a
Centre and other arts centres across the city. Companies centre for small companies
specialize in a range of styles from classical ballet to mime, currently regarded as being
jazz, experimental and world dance. With the exception of on the experimental fringes.
the resident ballets, most companies have short seasons,
seldom lasting longer than a fortnight and often less than World Dance
a week – check listings for details (see p338). World dance is well represented
in the capital and visiting groups
perform traditional dance from
Ballet Contemporary all over the world. Both Sadler’s
The Royal Opera House (see Sadler’s Wells in Islington, near Wells and the Riverside Studios
p119) and the London Coliseum Angel, has a proud reputation (reopening in 2018 following
in St Martin’s Lane are by far as the host of contemporary redevelopment) are major
the best venues for classical dance companies from around venues, while companies
ballet, providing a stage for the world and has been active, specializing in specific dance
visiting foreign companies. in one form or another, since styles, including Indian and Far
The Opera House is home to the 18th century. There are Eastern, have seasons at the
the world-class Royal Ballet, regular visits from such Southbank Centre, often in the
which performs an extensive luminaries as the Nederlands Queen Elizabeth Hall. Check
repertory. Book well in advance Dance Theatre and the Alvin listings magazines for details.
for classics such as Swan Lake Ailey Company from New York.
and Giselle. The company also The innovative English ensemble
performs some contemporary Rambert has a regular, twice- Dance Festivals
ballet; triple-bill performances yearly slot at the theatre – London has two major con-
provide a mixture of new and usually in May and November. temporary dance festivals each
old, and seats are normally The Peacock Theatre (the West year featuring many different
quite readily available. End home of Sadler’s Wells) companies. Spring Loaded runs
The English National Ballet features perform ances of from February to April, while
holds its summer season at the popular dance styles such as Dance Umbrella runs from early
London Coliseum. Under artistic salsa and hip hop, and even October to early November.
director Tamara Rojo, prima hosts contemporary circus Listings magazines carry all the
ballerina, the ballet performs dance groups. details. Other smaller festivals
both classical and contemp- The Place is a hub of activity: include Almeida Dance, from
orary productions. it is home to the London the end of April to the first week
Sadler’s Wells, though Contemporary Dance School of May at the Almeida Theatre,
primarily dedicated to and a dance theatre that stages and The Turning World, a festival
contemporary dance, hosts some 200 performances a year. in April and May showcasing
some classical productions. A purpose-built space in dance from all over the world.
Dance Venues The Mall SW1. Peacock Theatre Riverside Studios
Map 13 A4. Portugal St WC2. Map 14 Crisp Rd W6.
Almeida Theatre Tel 020 7930 3647. D1. Tel 020 7863 8222. Tel 020 8237 1000.
Almeida St N1. ∑ ica.org.uk ∑ peacocktheatre.com ∑riverside studios.
Tel 020 7359 4404. co.uk
∑ almeida.co.uk Laban Theatre The Place
Creekside SE8. 17 Duke’s Rd WC1. Map 5 Royal Opera House
Chisenhale Dance Map 23 A2. B3. Tel 020 7121 1100. Floral St WC2. Map 13 C2.
Space Tel 020 8463 0100. ∑ theplace.org.uk Tel 020 7304 4000.
64 Chisenhale Rd E3. London Coliseum ∑roh.org.uk
Tel 020 8981 6617. St Martin’s Lane WC2. Queen Elizabeth Hall Sadler’s Wells
∑ chisenhaledance Map 13 B3. Southbank Centre SE1. Rosebery Ave EC1.
space.co.uk Map 14 D4.
Tel 020 7845 9300. Tel 0844 875 0073. Map 6 E3.
ICA ∑ eno.org/London- ∑ southbankcentre. Tel 020 7863 8198.
Carlton House Terrace, Coliseum co.uk ∑sadlerswells.com

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