Swan Lake is back at Sadler’s Wells Theatre!

Posted on January 22, 2014February 19, 2018 by Dukes Blog

Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, Swan Lake, composed in 1875/76 returns to Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London’s chic Islington district. The spectacle made its debut at the same theatre in 1995, and is returning to the place of its première after 18 years.

The performance, based on old Russian folktales, tells the beautiful story of a young prince who falls in love with Odette, a princess who is turned into a swan by the curse of an evil sorcerer. Throughout the story, we are drawn into the twists and turns of the relationship between the two leads and how it develops.

Britain’s most popular choreographer, Matthew Bourne, revolutionised the performance by replacing the traditional female corps de ballet with an all-male one. The Times said of the show “the impact of this vibrant staging is undiminished; if anything it’s even stronger.” Bourne’s adaptation of the show has made the classic story more modern and relevant to today’s society.

Swan Lake has achieved more than 30 international awards and has become the longest-running ballet both in the West End and on Broadway. It encompasses dance, humour and award-winning designs by Lez Brotherston to create a breath-taking performance, enjoyed by those who know and love the traditional story as well as newcomers to the timeless tale.

The show is running at Saddler’s Wells Theatre from now until the 26^th January. Tickets range from £12 to £60 and are available from the theatre’s website.

Plus, after taking in the magnificent performance, why not extend your experience by coming to visit DUKES London for a drink (James Bond Martini, anyone?) in our famed DUKES Bar?

Image courtesy of David Hawgood

Northern Ballet jetés to London to perform ‘The Great Gatsby’

Posted on May 16, 2013March 11, 2019 by Dukes Blog

F Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ is coming to the stage from the May 14^thto 18^th. Just days after the UK release of Baz Luhrmann’s cinematic version, Northern Ballet will be performing their adaptation in Sadler’s Wells theatre.

‘The Great Gatsby’ is the gripping story of a young Nick Carraway coming to know his aloof millionaire neighbour with an unforgiving past; Jay Gatsby. As the glittering façade of Gatsby’s life derails, Carraway learns of the scandalous and lonely lives of the ‘new rich’ living the ‘American dream’ of the 1920s.

One of the greatest American novels of the 20^th Century, the Northern Ballet is said by Jeffery Taylor of the Sunday Express to have put on a performance that will ensure you “leave the theatre with a warm glow and a smile”. With its unparalleled reputation for telling a story through dance, Northern Ballet is the ideal company to bring this novel to the stage.

The production is being held at Sadler’s Wells theatre; a modern and contemporary dance and music performance space occupying a site with a long tradition of entertaining Londoners. It is a perfect setting for a timeless novel to be performed in the 21^st Century.

After enjoying the roaring and glitzy American 20s relax back into the British elegance and charm of our exclusive suites, just a short distance from Sadler’s Wells.

Image courtesy of Dancewear Central

BOING! is here to bring you a magical Christmas

Posted on December 21, 2012February 28, 2018 by Dukes Blog

BOING! made it as one of London’s debut performances at the Lilian Baylis Studio last year and returns this year promising a bigger and better performance at the Sadler’s Wells. BOING! is a children’s dance theatre production based on the magical moments two brothers experience leading up to one of the most special days of the year.

The play is cleverly set out on a huge bed in the centre of the stage, which miraculously turns into a giant trampoline helping engage the younger audience throughout the show. However, do not be fooled to think this is child’s play as adults are also expected to be astonished with the performances. Offering a variety of comedy, break dancing and acrobatics it will keep both younger and older generations enticed till the very end.

The play is directed by one of the best in children’s theatre, Sally Cookson, and performed by the award winning Wilkie Branson and Joel Daniel, so you are guaranteed to experience one of the best acts in British theatre to date.

This fast paced play is fun, festive and an all round exciting show, making it the perfect entertainment for the kids and the family. It is one theatre production not to miss! So if you are interested do not miss out on a chance to witness a wonderfully animated Christmas show. Tickets are on sale now.

After building up an appetite watching an exhilarating theatre performance, why not head over to our restaurant to try the capital’s finest cuisine? You can try our dinner menu after first having one of our famous martinis in DUKES Bar – have a very Merry Christmas!

Image courtesy of Sadler’s Wells Theatre

Sleeping Beauty becomes a ballet masterpiece

Posted on November 28, 2012March 11, 2019 by Dukes Blog

A world premiere of the timeless classic Sleeping Beauty has been reformed into a captivating ballet masterwork by the award-winning choreographer Matthew Bourne. His troubling new production has been described as “a gothic romance; a supernatural love story that even the passage of time can not hinder”.

In 1980 the enduring classic tale of a girl cursed to sleep for one hundred years was first revolutionised into ballet. Now, Bourne’s story commences at heroine Aurora’s christening where fairies and vampires feed on gothic imaginations. Bourne’s adaptation rebels against the idea of love at first sight. He claims once Sleeping Beauty goes to sleep nothing more happens after that. His haunting production is a Gothic romance for all ages, and especially for those who feast on dark, twisted love.

Bourne is widely known to be one of the UK’S best choreographers, receiving multiple nominations and awards including the Laurence Olivier and Tony award. He started training in dance at the age of 22 and went on to dance professionally for 14 years. Sadler’s Wells have decided to host talks throughout the year to look at aspects of his work and his background to celebrate the 25 years of Matthew’s Company New Adventures. The talk features Alistair Spalding talking to him about his newest piece, Sleeping Beauty, and his prospects and ideas for New Adventures.

Bourne’s enchanting Sleeping Beauty will feature designs from Olivier award winners Lez Brotherston (set and costumes), Paul Constable (lighting) and sound design by Paul Groothuis, and brings the audience into the core of his work, leaving them dazzled by the alluring movement.

Bourne is renowned for his radical, entertaining updates of classic work and his new version of Sleeping Beauty promises to be fantastic, like his previous versions of Swan Lake and the Nutcracker.

The running time of Sleeping Beauty is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, with ticket prices ranging from £12 to £60. Family tickets cost £140. This enticing classic is running from Tuesday 4^th December to Wednesday 26^th January 2013 at Sadler’s Wells, Roseberry Avenue.

After one of the finest nights of ballet to remember, why not unwind properly with one of Alessandro’s world-famous classic Martinis over in our DUKES Bar?