When London City Ballet returns, under the direction of Christopher Marney, to performance venues around the world, it will do so after a thirty-year hiatus.
The company will begin gracing international stages in the summer of 2024 with planned shows in the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, and the United States. The initial three-year plan includes six months of touring per annum.
The world has changed since its closure in 1996 and I am committed to creating a diverse and progressive company of dancers that speaks to a new generation and one that honours the leaders who paved its way.
Where new work is important, an ethos of the company will be across ‘resurrection’. I am deeply drawn to reviving past works of influential choreographers which may have fallen out of the repertoire of mainstream companies and breathing life into those lost ballets.
I am extremely grateful to Alistair Spalding for providing a platform for the company and believing in my vision for reaching audiences regionally who may not always have access to the repertoire I am enthusiastic to share."
London City Ballet Returns, Led by Christopher Marney
Marney brings to London City Ballet his skills learned as a former dancer and Artistic Director of the Joffrey Ballet Studio Company of Chicago as well as the Central School of Ballet in London. The leadership team is completed by Kate Lyons (New Adventures), who will be the Rehearsal Director, and Sean Flanagan (Balletboyz), London City Ballet’s General Manager.
The repertoire of Marney’s first curated season will include a world premiere piece by Olivier-award winner Arielle Smith and the revival of a Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s 1972 Ballade which hasn’t been performed in Europe for over fifty years.
Once the resident company of Sadler’s Wells, London City Ballet will have a week of performances there in autumn 2024, a nod to its important history.
“I am thrilled to welcome London City Ballet back to Sadler’s Wells, and look forward to presenting the company on the Sadler’s Wells stage again after 30 years!”
– Sir Alistair Spalding CBE, Artistic Director and Chief Executive
Featured Photo for London City Ballet Returns of Ayca Anil and Jasiah Marshall. Photo by Photography by ASH. Courtesy of London City Ballet.
