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Ballet Black

Heroes

— ,Barbican Theatre
The Ballet Black ensemble perform: one dancer places a crown on the other dancers' head as the rest of the ensemble gathers and crouches around them.

Now in their 22nd year, Cassa Pancho's Ballet Black return to our stage with a double bill featuring new and innovative work.

Award-winning choreographer, 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 artists.

Sophie Laplane, Franco-British artist and Choreographer in Residence at Scottish Ballet creates If At First, a new piece for Ballet Black after her dazzling 2019 BB ballet. Laplane's new work explores the complexity of humanity, heroism and self-acceptance in this celebratory and original piece.

Ballet Black has transformed the landscape of British ballet, creating a prominent platform for dancers and artists of Black and Asian descent, as well as establishing a new canon of ballet repertoire that resonates with audiences around the world.

Tagged with: Classical music Theatre & dance Theatre and Dance Winter 2024 More...

Running time: 1 hour and 35 minutes, including an interval 

Age guidance: 7+

This performance contains haze and bright lighting.

Post-show talk
Fri 17 May, Theatre
Free to same-day ticket holders

Presented by the Barbican

Image credit: (L-R) Helga Paris-Morales, Acaoã de Castro, Mikayla Isaacs, Love Kotiya, Isabela Coracy, Ebony Thomas, Taraja Hudson, Bhungane Mehlomakulu and Megan Chiu. Photography by ASH.
 

 

The Waiting Game

Created with support from The Linbury Trust
Mthuthuzeli November Choreographer and Composer
Alex Wilson Composer
David Plater Lighting Designer
Peter Todd Costume Designer
Richard Bolton & Phil Cristodolou Door Design
Voiceover by The Artists of Ballet Black, past and present

If At First

Co-commissioned with the Barbican
Sophie Laplane Choreography
David Plater Lighting design
Jessica Cabassa Costume design
James Bonas Creative consultant
Ludwig von Beethoven, Olivia Belli, Dans Dans, Michelle Gurevich, Dustin O’Halloran and Tom Harrold Music

Ticket prices

Members and Members Plus enjoy 20% off ticket prices for this show.  

No booking fee. Discounted tickets subject to availability.  

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Corporate Members enjoy discounted ticket prices to this performance.

2 tickets max per booking. Subject to availability. 

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£15

Subject to availability.

Aged 14–25? Join Young Barbican for free. 

Wheelchair spaces, free companion seats may now be booked online.    
Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.    

Booking a wheelchair space:
Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected.    

Booking essential companion tickets:
Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket.    

Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats:
Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.    

Groups 
Groups can book at a 20% discount, subject to availability. Contact [email protected] to make a group booking. 

Schools
£12*, subject to availability

*If you are a teacher or group leader planning a trip, you can receive up to £300 towards the cost of a visit to a wide variety of inspiring venues managed by the City of London Corporation. Find out more.

*Excludes £4 booking fee
Ticket prices for this performance may be adjusted over time in response to demand

Reviews

‘Exhilarating in effect and full of ideas, The Waiting Game feels like a hit, confirming November’s talent and this remarkable company’s strong sense of itself. ‘
The Guardian
‘Ballet Black makes a thoroughly convincing case that this is indeed the future of dance‘
iNews

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