Skip to content

Ballet Black: Pioneers a double bill of new work.

Ballet Black: Pioneers a double bill of new work.

Now in their 21st year, Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black is excited to present award-winning choreographers, Will Tuckett and Mthuthuzeli November in a double bill of new and original work in Ballet Black: Pioneers.

Will Tuckett’s Then Or Now, originally created in 2020, blends classical ballet, music and the poetry of Adrienne Rich to ask the question: in times like these, where do we each belong?

“…the piece feels above all like a call for respect across any and all divides.”The Telegraph,2021

The second piece on the bill is devised by award-winning choreographer, Mthuthuzeli November.Nina: By Whatever Means, is inspired by the artistry and activism of Nina Simone. November weaves a skilful picture of Simone’s turbulent and influential life to take us on an emotional and empowering journey.

THEN OR NOW (2020)

This ballet was originally a co-commission with The Barbican

Choreographer | Will Tuckett

Costume Design | Yukiko Tsukamoto

Poetry | Adrienne Rich (1929-2012)

Director of Poetry | Fiona L Bennett

Poetry Recordings | Hafsah Aneela Bashir, Natasha Gordon & Michael Shaeffer

Music | Passacaglia for solo violin (1676) Composed by Heinrich Franz von Biber (1644-1704) & Daniel Pioro. Recording by Daniel Pioro

Cast | José Alves, Isabela Coracy, Alexander Fadayiro, Taraja Hudson, Sayaka Ichikawa, Mthuthuzeli November, Helga Paris-Morales & Ebony Thomas

NINA: BY WHATEVER MEANS (2023)

This ballet is a co-commission with The Barbican

Choreography & Direction | Mthuthuzeli November

Lighting Design | David Plater

Costume Design | Jessica Cabassa

Composers | Mandisi Dyantyis, Mthuthuzeli November, Nina Simone (1954-2002) Featuring the voices of the Zolani Youth Choir

Cast | José Alves, Isabela Coracy, Alexander Fadayiro, Taraja Hudson, Sayaka Ichikawa, Rosanna Lindsey,Helga Paris-Morales & Ebony Thomas

TOUR DETAILS

10 – 20 May 7.45pm Theatre Royal Stratford East BOOK TICKETS

23 June 2023 7:30pm York Theatre Royal BOOK TICKETS

28 – 29 June 2023 7:30pm Festival Theatre, Edinburgh BOOK TICKETS

17 Oct 2023 7:30pm Watford Palace Theatre BOOK TICKETS

20 Oct 2023 7:30pm Norwich Theatre Royal BOOK TICKETS

25 Oct 2023 7:30pm Durham Gala Theatre BOOK TICKETS

31 Oct 2023 – 02 Nov 2023 8pm The Lowry Manchester BOOK TICKETS

What's on elsewhere?