Sadler’s Wells’ Creative Learning department is teaming up with West Ham United Foundation for a community dance production inspired by football, which will receive its world premiere on the main stage at Sadler’s Wells next weekend, Saturday 24 September 2016.
Home Turf is a compelling collaboration between West Ham United Foundation, Sadler’s Wells and a team of over 100 professional and non-professional dancers, including Foundation participants who have been selected from community programmes.
Home Turf is an opportunity for Sadler’s Wells and West Ham United Foundation to work together following the Club’s move to London Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, while Sadler’s Wells will open an additional mid-scale theatre on the Stratford Waterfront site in 2021, as part of the Olympicopolis project.
Joe Lyons, West Ham United Foundation Chief Executive, said: “This is another fantastic opportunity for the Foundation to work alongside partners and use football as a way to engage people in activities that they may not usually get involved with.
“Our partnership with Sadler’s Wells will be one of the most creative collaborations we’ve been involved with at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and one we’re extremely excited about! To offer local people from the community such a rare opportunity is something we’re extremely proud of.”
Alistair Spalding, Sadler’s Wells’ Artistic Director and Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted to be working with West Ham United Foundation on this bold project blending football and dance. Through our community productions, we welcome non-professional dancers of different ages and backgrounds onto Sadler’s Wells’ main stage, where they work with professionals to create and perform in a high-quality show.
“Bringing members of our community into the work we present breathes life into the theatre, contributing to our ongoing exploration of what performance is and helping us develop new audiences for dance. West Ham United will be among our close neighbours once we open Sadler’s Wells’ new mid-scale theatre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2021, and I hope this will be the first in a series of exciting collaborations between us.”
Tickets for the one off performance of Home Turf on 24th September 2016, 7:30pm, are available via www.sadlerswells.com priced at £12 for adults, £6 for concessions.