About Sadler's Wells

Sadler's Wells in London is the world's leading venue dedicated to international dance with regular seasons of contemporary, ballet, flamenco, hip hop, salsa and tango. On this site you can see clips of forthcoming and past shows, watch interviews and look behind the scenes.

Interviews

The biggest names in dance give unique insights into their career and work.

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What's On

Take a look at what is coming up at Sadler's Wells, the Lilian Baylis Studio and our West End home the Peacock Theatre. If you like what you see why not click through and book!

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Taking Part

Sadler's Wells is committed to giving everyone the chance to dance. Our projects involve people of all ages from babies to pensioners. Here you can see highlights of Sadler's Wells projects run in the UK and aboard.

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Breakin Convention

The world's leading Hip Hop dance theatre event is an annual fixture in the Sadler's Wells calendar and is now expanding across the UK. Watch clips of some of the biggest names in Hip Hop dance from past Breakin' Conventions.

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Features

A collection of short films about Sadler's Wells, London's Dance House - its stars, productions and projects.

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Past Shows

Sadler's Wells presents many of the world's finest dance companies when they perform in London. Here you can get a taste of some of the amazing work shown on our stage over the last few years.

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Behind The Scenes

A chance to take a peek at what goes on offstage and get an insight into the creative process behind the work we show on stage.

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Dance film

Dance does not just happen on stage. More and more artists are creating work specifically for the camera. In this section we will be showing some of the most exciting and innovative dance film being produced around the world today.

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Interviews

Global Dance Contest 2010

The Sadler's Wells Global Dance Contest 2010 is open for submissions. Alistair Spalding talks about the competition in 2009.

Akram Khan Interview

Akram Khan talks to guardian.co.uk

Ruth Little - body:language series

body:language is a series of autumn talks in the Lilian Baylis Studio. These Monday evening discussions provide an opportunity to hear artists and cultural commentators talk about their art and work free from a specific show, project or creation.

Forsythe on The Mariinsky (Kirov) and Russian Classicism

Willian Forsythe speaks on the Mariinsky (Kirov) and Russian Classicism.

Christopher Wheeldon on Other Dances

Christopher Wheeldon talks about Other Dances by Jerome Robbins.

Christopher Wheeldon on Fools Paradise

Christopher Wheeldon talks about creating Fools Paradise.

Christopher Wheeldon on Polyphonia

Christopher Wheeldon talks about creating Polyphonia.

Matthew Bourne on Nutcracker!

Matthew Bourne talks about creating Nutcracker! and its fantasical characters.

Matthew Bourne on The Car Man

Matthew Bourne talks about creating The Car Man: the story, the music and the characters.

Carlos Acosta Interview

One of the world’s greatest ballet stars dancing today, Carlos Acosta talks to telegraph.co.uk about what sets him apart from other dancers, influences, which include Nureyev & Michael Jackson & the show he brings to Sadler’s Wells in December

Paco Peña Interview

Paco Peña talks director of Flamenco sin Fronteras, Jude Kelly, about the show, with rehearsal footage.

Christopher Wheeldon Interview

Christopher Wheeldon talks about his new work to guardian.co.uk

Riz MC talks about MICroscope

Riz MC is interviewed about his work-in-progress MICroscope, shown as part of the Svapnagata festival

Siobhan Davis - body:language series

In the Spirit of Diaghilev - Lecture

By Robert Hewison Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells, October 2009

Rufus Wainwright Interview

Rufus Wainwright talks about his new opera Prima Donna, making its London premiere at Sadler's Wells in April 2010

Forsythe on Impressing the Czar

William Forsythe talks about creating Impressing the Czar.

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Akram Khan on zero degrees

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Akram Khan talk about the making of zero degrees.

Matthew Bourne on Edward Scissorhands

Matthew Bourne talks about creating Edward Scissorhands. Also features audience reviews.

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui on Sutra

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui talks to Judith Mackrell about the making of Sutra.

Forsythe on The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude

William Forsythe talks about The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude

Forsythe on Approximate Sonata

William Forsythe talks about the making of Approximate Sonata.

Wayne McGregor & Liz Lerman - body:language series

In the Spirit of Diaghilev - Entrepreneurs Talk

With Alex Poots and Tania Harrison Chaired by Alistair Spalding Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells, October 2009

Akram Khan and Nitin Sawhney on Confluence

Akram Khan and Nitin Sawhney talk about Confluence, a new production made for the Svapnagata Festival

What's On

Tanguera

Following sold-out shows across the globe, Argentina's smash-hit tango show Tanguera comes to Sadler's Wells for a strictly limited run.

Tim Etchells & Fumiyo Ikeda

Co-commissioned by Sadler's Wells, in pieces is a brand new collaboration between the artistic director of Forced Entertainment, Tim Etchells, and Rosas dancer Fumiyo Ikeda.

Pictures from an Exhibition

Sadler's Wells and the Young Vic present a remarkable dance theatre collaboration featuring staging by Daniel Kramer and choreography by Frake Requardt.

Susan & Darren - Quarantine & Company Fierce

Step into Susan and Darren's front room as they prepare for one of their infamous parties... this incomparable show "comes straight from the heart" (The Guardian).

Kabuki

A direct descendant of the 17th century Kabuki masters, Ebizo Ichikawa XI is a superstar in Japan - this London visit is unmissable.

The Merchants of Bollywood

18 May - 5 Jun 2010 Following a sell-out critically acclaimed international tour, the glamour and glitter of Bollywood soars into the Peacock Theatre for a limited run.

Mark Morris - L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato

Mark Morris returns to the London Coliseum to present his brilliant L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato.

Paco Peña - Flamenco sin Fronteras

The legendary guitarist returns with his latest show Flamenco sin Fronteras, after receiving huge critical acclaim at its premiere at Sadler's Wells in 2009.

Blaze

Nightclub vibes, West End production values and the raw impact of a music gig in this sensational new streetdance show featuring Tommy Franzén & Lizzie Gough, finalists on the BBC's So You Think You Can Dance.

Psy - The Seven Fingers

Following the phenomenal success of Traces in 2009, The 7 Fingers return to the Peacock Theatre with a brand new circus show.

Ballet Nacional Espana

Spain's top dance company return to London with two contrasting works.

Rambert Dance Company - A Linha Curva

Family Weekend - Aracaladanza's Clouds

With an array of exciting performances, games and workshops happening all over the building, there's something for children of all ages at Family Weekend.

Akram Khan & Nitin Sawhney - Confluence

Confluence fuses Sawhney's music with Khan's unique blend of classical kathak and contemporary technique.

Compagnie Decalage (UK)

Compagnie Decalage

Compagnie Marie Chouinard

Crutches, rope, horizontal bars, and harnesses liberate, restrain and define the dancers' movements in Marie Chouinard's debut at Sadler's Wells.

Sutra

Performed by 17 monks from the original Shaolin Temple in China, along with Larbi himself, Sutra is a fascinating exploration of the philosophy and faith behind the Shaolin tradition.

Sylvie Guillem/Robert Lepage/ Russell Maliphant - Eonnagata

This brand new Sadler's Wells production brings together three of the world's foremost creative minds: internationally acclaimed dancer Sylvie Guillem, world-renowned theatre-maker Robert Lepage and award-winning choreographer Russell Maliphant.

Nederlands Dans Theater - Programme One

A rare chance to see NDT 1 and II share the stage as the company marks its 50th year. Programme One: Dissolve in this / Subject to Change / Whereabouts Unknown

Akram Khan - Gnosis

Khan's new solo piece, created with Gauri Sharma Tripathi and Pratap Pawar, is inspired by the Mahabharata and also features puppetry plus live taiko drumming.

Bounce - Insane in the Brain

Insane in the Brain features a fantastic soundtrack. Inventive set design and choreography are mixed with film and multimedia sequences to produce a fast-paced show.

Nederlands Dans Theater - Programme Two

A rare chance to see NDT 1 and II share the stage as the company marks its 50th year. Programme Two: Mémoires d’Oubliettes / Studio 2 / Symphony of Psalms

Taking Part

Sadler's Wells at Glastonbury - Hip Hop

Sadler's Wells visited Glastonbury Festival in 2007. Each day we provided dance classes in different genres for the festival-goers to try. This clip features the hip hop class.

Sadler's Wells at Glastonbury - Bollywood

Sadler's Wells visited Glastonbury Festival in 2007. Each day we provided dance classes in different genres for the festival-goers to try. This clip features the bollywood class.

Future Elements

Urban creative arts project for young people aged 12 - 16

In Fine Shape

The Company of Elders performs In Fine Shape.

In The Company of Elders

Sadler's Wells' Company of Elders is the jewel in the crown of the theatre's Connect programme. Drawn from the local community, this group of 25 performers discovered dance late in life and now enjoy the immense social and physical benefits of dance.

London Youth Dance Day

@ The Scoop, More London

Anima Incontri

The Company of Elders performs Anima Incontri.

Dance United / Hofesh Shechter / Russell Maliphant - Destino

Destino features two new commissions from Sadler's Wells Associates Hofesh Shechter and Russell Maliphant with Adam Benjamin, which will introduce award-winning young Ethiopian dancers Junaid Jemal Sendi and Addisu Demissie to London.

Destino Week 1

Destino Week 3

Destino Week 5

Destino Week 6

Destino Week 4

Destino Week 7

Destino Week 8

Destino Week 8 Round Up

BBC Blast - Edward Scissorhands

BBC Blast feature on Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands

Ctrl.Alt.Shift. OYO

Ctrl.Alt.Shift. East London Dance

Ctrl.Alt.Shift part 2

Five young contemporary dance companies from the UK and Africa tackle the stigma surrounding HIV in a new production commissioned by the activist movement Ctrl.Alt.Shift.

Ctrl.Alt.Shift part 1

Five young contemporary dance companies from the UK and Africa tackle the stigma surrounding HIV in a new production commissioned by the activist movement Ctrl.Alt.Shift.

The Pioneers

Ken Swift, Sugapop and Popin Pete teach as part of the Pioneers Project for Breakin' Convention

Rumble!

Fourteen young dance companies from London perform work created for this special performance weekend.

Breakin Convention

Breakin' Convention 07 Tour - Voxs Pops

Audience reactions from the Breakin' Convention 07 Tour

The Breakin' Convention Experience

Check out a collection of footage from the Breakin' Convention festival over the years

100% (UK)

100% (UK) @ BC04

Holloway Boyz (UK)

Holloway Boyz (UK) @ BC04

RubberBandDance Group (Canada)

RubberBandDance Group (Canada) @ BC04

Project Soul (Korea)

Project Soul (Korea) @ BC04

Junior (France)

World famous B Boy of Wanted Posse (France) known for his gravity defying power moves performs a compelling personal monologue about his life.

Sebastian & Raphael (France & Germany)

Beautiful and haunting imagery by this B Boy duo from France and Germany. Dance and projection are used to create clever visual trickery in Seuls, Ensemble

Compagnie Käfig (France)

Compagnie Käfig (France) @ BC04

Hip Hop Collective (UK/USA/France)

Hip Hop Collective (UK/USA/France) @ BC04

Jonzi D (UK)

Jonzi D (UK) @ BC04

Rennie Harris (USA)

Rennie Harris (USA) @ BC04

Vagabond Crew (France)

Vagabond Crew (France) @ BC04

Virus (UK)

Virus (UK) @ BC04

Spirit (UK)

Spirit (UK) at Breakin' Convention 08

Rannel (UK)

Rannel (UK) at Breakin' Convention 08

Urban Strides (UK)

Urban Strides (UK) at Breakin' Convention 08

Claudia (UK)

Claudia (UK) at Breakin' Convention 08

Flawless (UK)

Flawless (UK) at Breakin' Convention 08

Company Decalage (UK)

Company Decalage (UK) at Breakin' Convention 08

Kenrick "H20" Sandy (UK)

Kenrick "H20" Sandy (UK) at Breakin' Convention 08

SIN Cru (UK)

SIN Cru (UK) at Breakin' Convention 08

PRYOR (UK)

PRYOR (UK) at Breakin' Convention

Top 9 (Russia)

St. Petersburgh's award-winning pioneers in hip-hop dance-theatre, Top 9 perform at Breakin' Convention 08.

Zoonation (UK)

Zoonation (UK) @ BC04

Features

Destino Vodcasts

A collection of vodcasts about the making of Destino

Global Dance Contest 2010

The Sadler's Wells Global Dance Contest 2010 is open for submissions. Alistair Spalding talks about the competition in 2009.

Ruth Little - body:language series

In The Company of Elders

Carlos Acosta Interview

Global Dance Contest Winner

Shu-Yi Chou from Taiwan has won this years Global Dance Contest with [ 1 8 7 5 ] Ravel and Bolero. [ 1 8 7 5 ] Ravel and Bolero will be performed at Sadler's Wells Sampled on 30 & 31 Jan 2010. Sadler's Wells Sampled goes on sale on Mon 7 Dec 2009.

Christopher Wheeldon Interview

Christopher Wheeldon talks about his new work to guardian.co.uk

Siobhan Davis - body:language series

In the Spirit of Diaghilev - Lecture

By Robert Hewison Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells, October 2009

Danza Contemporanea de Cuba

Danza Contemporanea, founded in 1959, is famous for its hybrid, hothouse style, a pungent blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, jazzy American modernism and inflections from European ballet.

Ctrl.Alt.Shift

Five young contemporary dance companies from the UK and Africa tackle the stigma surrounding HIV in a new production commissioned by the activist movement Ctrl.Alt.Shift.

Sadler's Wells at Latitude

Sadler's Wells at Latitude 2008

BBC Blast - Edward Scissorhands

BBC Blast feature on Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands

Wayne McGregor & Liz Lerman - body:language series

In the Spirit of Diaghilev - Entrepreneurs Talk

With Alex Poots and Tania Harrison Chaired by Alistair Spalding Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells, October 2009

More about Breakin' Convention

Want to know more? This short film provides some background about how the festival came about and the people who make it happen

Making of bahok

A short film about the making of Akram Khan's bahok

The Pioneers

Ken Swift, Sugapop and Popin Pete teach as part of the Pioneers Project for Breakin' Convention

Rumble!

Fourteen young dance companies from London perform work created for this special performance weekend.

Focus on Forsythe

In Spring 2009 Sadler's Wells mounted a major survey of William Forsythe's recent work.

In the Spirit of Diaghilev - Artists Panel

With Russell Maliphant, Jan Urbanowski, Michael Hulls, Katrina Lindsay, Javier de Frutos, and Wayne McGregor. Chaired by Emma Gladstone Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells, October 2009

Past Shows

Antonio Gades' Carmen

The acclaimed Antonio Gades Company presents a powerful re-staging of Gades' all-time classic Carmen. Featuring a cast of 26 singers, musicians and dancers, Gades perfectly captures the essence of Bizet's love story, adding his own modern twist.

deepblue - You Are Here

A hybrid piece of dance and art installation, You Are Here presents the theatre space as a vast archive of possibilities and ideas.

Momix - Lunar Sea

Momix’s Lunar Sea is a “black and white ballet” in which dancers in fluorescent costumes float and fly magically, unbound by the laws of gravity. Momix return with Moses Pendleton's fascinating other-worldly dance creation Lunar Sea.

Pierre Rigal - Press

A physically ingenious piece of movement-theatre, performed by Rigal in an enclosed space, only 3m by 2.20m. Originally commissioned and staged at The Gate Theatre, 2008.

Brilliant - Fevered Sleep

Combining movement, live music, light, and captivating imagery, this dazzling production for 3 to 5 year olds explores the deep emotions, the magical imaginings and the secret games that are conjured as we drift into sleep.

Sankai Juku - Kinkan Shonen

Kinkan Shonen, explores a boy's dream about life and death using mystic imagery as dancers’ bodies slowly transform into a series of almost non-human shapes, and a live peacock patrols the stage.

Jasmin Vardimon - Yesterday

A retrospective new work featuring some of the most breathtaking duets, striking solos and iconic moments selected from the company's repertoire.

American Ballet Theatre - Swan Lake

Set to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, American Ballet Theatre’s spectacular Swan Lake captures the hearts of audiences worldwide with its lavish costumes and stunning sets.

American Ballet Theatre - Le Corsaire

The breathtaking skills of American Ballet Theatre's principal dancers are perfectly showcased in Le Corsaire, an exotic fable of a pirate’s love for a beautiful slave girl that combines bravura dancing with lavish sets and costumes.

Tango Fire

Argentina’s hottest dance show, featuring ten sensational dancers, one of Argentina’s finest singers and a quartet of brilliant young musicians, Quatrotango, this really is tango at its fiery best.

Traces

This astonishingly talented French-Canadian company have pioneered a whole new brand of circus. Traces was a runaway hit at the Edinburgh Festival in 2007.

Eva Yerbabuena - Signs & Wonders

Regarded as one of the most important female dancer/choreographers in flamenco today, Eva Yerbabuena has been awarded the Flamenco Today prize three years in a row, the Spanish National Dance prize and a Time Out Best Performance of the Year award.

La La La Human Steps - Amjad

Founder and Artistic Director of La La La Human Steps, Édouard Lock, takes classical ballet and gives it a whole new frenetic twist. Amjad draws on the most famous of romantic ballet Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty.

West Side Story - The 50th anniversary of a musical landmark

The greatest dance musical of all time! Packed with unforgettable songs like Tonight, America and I Feel Pretty.

Paco Pena - Voce Y Ecos

Voce Y Ecos

Estrella Morente

A superstar in Spain, Estrella Morente has dazzled audiences and critics with her compelling performances. Daughter of the famed singer Enrique Morente and dancer Aurora Carbonell, she is a passionate new voice in flamenco.

Eva Yerbabuena - Lluvia

One of the world's greatest flamenco dancers, Eva Yerbabuena is famed for her speed, power and dramatic footwork.

Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker Rosas - Steve Reich Evening

Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker has been a leading light in contemporary dance in Europe for more than 20 years. This is an extract from an eveing of work devoted to Steve Reich's music.

Emanuel Gat Dance - Winter Voyage

Founded in Tel Aviv in 2004, and now based in France, Emanuel Gat Dance is renowned for creating visually alluring choreography, brimming with passion and drama. Winter Voyage (seen here) is a stunning duet set to Schubert's Winterreise.

Morphoses / The Wheeldon Company

Christopher Wheeldon's new transatlantic ballet company return to their UK home Sadler's Wells after an acclaimed debut season last year.

Richard Alston - Shuffle It Right

Richard Alston's Shuffle It Right is inspired by the idiosyncratic and jazzy songs of Hoagy Carmichael.

Breakin' Convention 07 Tour - Voxs Pops

Audience reactions from the Breakin' Convention 07 Tour

Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras

Sara Baras is one of Spain’s finest flamenco exports. Celebrated for her brilliant footwork and captivating stage presence, her shows capture perfectly all the emotion, drama and passion of traditional flamenco with a vibrant contemporary edge.

Folk Art, Let's Dance

Alex Reuben - extract from Routes (ACE Capture, UK 2008). First screen in 2007, the film follows the path from Bluegrass to Jazz in social dance across communities in the American Deep South, and has since enjoyed considerable cinema success.

balletLORENT - Angelmoth

Incorporating elements of dance, music, narration, costume and set design all woven around a new fairytale story; Angelmoth delivers a complete theatrical experience.

Behind The Scenes

Jerwood Studio - Frantic Assembly

Directors Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett observe how two experienced choreographers generate dance vocabulary, before exploring some of their own material, as they develop plans for a full length, movement-led work.

Sutra Rehearsals

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui rehearsing Sutra with the monks in Shaolin Temple, Henan Province, China during February - March 2008.

Jerwood Studio - Hofesh Shechter

Choreographer Hofesh Shechter used Jerwood Studio research time in 2008 to explore his long held desire to work with a dozen snare drummers on his company, with some outstanding results in both sound and vision.

Jerwood Studio - Matthew Bourne

Choreographer Matthew Bourne used a week of research time as part of Jerwood Studio to explore whether he could make male love duets which would work. These duets influenced the development of his major show the following year, Dorian Gray.

Jerwood Studio - Rosenberg & Requardt - Stage 1

Choreographer Frauke Requardt and Theatre Director David Rosenberg talk about the productive working relationship which emerged in their first period of research as part of Jerwood Studio. This led to a major off-site show called Moving House.

Jerwood Studio - Rosenberg & Requardt - Stage 2

In their second period of reseach as part of Jerwood Studio, choreographer Frauke Requardt and director David Rosenberg build on their ideas from the first stage. The research has led to a major off-site show called Moving House.

Boy Blue Entertainment - Varmints

Boy Blue Entertainment research ideas for a new production based on the book Varmints by Helen Ward and Marc Craste, for 8 years plus.

Danza Contemporanea de Cuba

Danza Contemporanea, founded in 1959, is famous for its hybrid, hothouse style, a pungent blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, jazzy American modernism and inflections from European ballet.

Jerwood Studio - Gauri Sharma Tripathi

Kathak dance artist and choreographer Gauri Sharma Tripathi used her research week as part of Jerwood Studio to work with lighting designer Michael Mannion, exploring the additional dimensions that lighting brings to performance.

Jerwood Studio - Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre

Choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan spent a week working on the music of Rameau and talking with conductor Marc Minkowski. The research has led to a Sadler’s Wells commission with Keegan-Dolan’s company Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre.

Martin Creed

Visual Artist Martin Creed puts himself in unchartered territory as he works with five classically trained dancers on ideas for a new work.

Jerwood Studio - Kramer & Requardt

Theatre director Daniel Kramer and choreographer Frauke Requardt’s initial week of research as part of Jerwood Studio led to the successful production of Pictures from an Exhibition at the Young Vic in May 2009.

Jerwood Studio - Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

Flemish/Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui worked with kuchipudi dancer Shantala Shivalingappa (they met through Pina Bausch) & flamenco artist Maria Pages. He performs with Shivalingappa in the Svapnagata Festival, Sadler’s Wells, November.

Dance film

Dance Like Your Old Man

Six Women imitate their dads' dancing in a film about fathers seen through their daughters' eyes.Meaghan McHenry, Sara Black, Alexandra Dillon, Bec Reid, Penelope Bartlau, Ros Warby. Produced by Chunky Move & Chequerboard Productions, 2007. Australia

The Rat

idill final selection Prix "nouveaux créateurs"

Exotica

idill 2009 Final Selection Prix pour un regard particulier

Respire

idill 2009 final selection Prix de la création musicale

Dubus

Director: Alexei Dmitriev Clips of black and white oldies mix with surreal sound by Zelany Rashoho to create a film that’s hummin'... Russia 2005

Diva

Created & performed by Liz Aggiss, a jaded dance diva processes up the red carpet.. Funded by University of Brighton Faculty Research Support Fund, 2007. UK.

A Bend in the Mast

Short film by Jason Akira Somma

Spin!

idill 2009 Final Selection Prix idill 09

Flying Lesson

A film by Rosane Chamecki, Phil Harder & Andrea Lerner. Performed by Rosane Chamecki & Andrea Lerner. Produced by Pano Pra Manga, 2007. New York, USA.

Montevideoaki

Based on the solo performance "while going to a condition". Choreography/interpretation: Hiroaki Umeda Filmed & edited by Octavio Iturbe & Miguel Grompone in Montevideo. Produced by Siganle producciones, 2005. Madrid, Spain.

Basini

Akiko dances Basini choreographed and filmed by Heidi Dzinkowska in 1911.Song sung by Rowan Godel. Film by Liz Aggiss & Billy Cowie, 1995. UK

A Man Standing Behind a Seated Woman

idill 2009 final selection Prix du public