Lowry to welcome back Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black with HEROES, a new double bill.

Now in their 22nd year, Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black return to Lowry, Salford from Wed 20 November - Thu 21 November 2024, with a double bill featuring new and innovative work – Ballet Black: HEROES. 

Award-winning choreographer, Mthuthuzeli November contemplates the purpose of life in The Waiting Game, his exciting and energetic work about the meaning of life originally created in 2020, infused with a dynamic soundtrack featuring the voices of the Ballet Black artists. The Waiting Game was originally inspired by Samuel Beckett. It explores the absurdism of existence and the passing of the time through movement and musical ideas. The uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring and how thoughts can change rapidly, confusing us.

Sophie Laplane, Franco-British artist, and Choreographer in Residence at Scottish Ballet, creates a new piece for Ballet Black, following her dazzling 2019 Ballet Black ballet, CLICK!. 

Laplane’s inspiration for this new work If At First, came from viewing Jean-Michel Basquiat’s painting, Eroica, or “heroic”, one of a series of paintings in which he visually explores the concept of heroism. If At First explores a more subtle heroism, a quieter triumph over adversity, in a struggle that unites us all. Humanity, heroism, and self-acceptance combine in this celebratory and original piece.

Ballet Black has transformed the landscape of British ballet, creating a prominent platform for dancers and artists of Black and Asian descent, as well as establishing a new canon of ballet repertoire that resonates with audiences around the world.

Cassa Pancho MBE (Founder & Artistic Director, Ballet Black) said: “We are delighted to present our new season premiere to audiences at the Barbican Theatre again this year. It’s been a real pleasure to welcome Sophie Laplane back to Ballet Black. She first created a short ballet in 2019, CLICK! which was a huge hit with our audiences. I knew I wanted her to create a longer piece, and this year, Sophie returns with If At First, a ballet that manages to be insightful, moving, and exciting all at the same time. 

Mthuthuzeli November created The Waiting Game in 2020. Due to pandemic restrictions, it didn’t get many performances, so I’m pleased that he has been able to re-visit his work and that we can present the ballet again to the larger audiences it deserves – it will send you home with a smile on your face!

Combined, these two ballets make up our evening: Ballet Black: HEROES. I hope you enjoy it!”

Ballet Black: HEROES will be at Lowry, Salford from Wed 20 November - Thu 21 November 2024. For more information and tickets visit www.thelowry.com.