Company of Elders Mixed Bill

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Four older people stand in a line. One is wearing a party hat, and another is holding The Who's Quadrophenia vinyl record.

The Company of Elders invite us to join their journey of identity in two new pieces made for them by Euan Garrett and John-William Watson.

Euan Garret (Quadrophenia) leads the Company of Elders on an investigation of 60s culture and mod identity, which many of the company members experienced first hand.

In Sadler’s Wells Young Associate Artist alumni John-William Watson’s latest surreal dance place, They Look Like People, you are invited to observe a group of strangers inside a doctor’s waiting room. Witness as their comfort in their anonymity is slowly upended by a person who is uncannily not like the others. In this absurdly whimsical exploration of identity, Watson asks the question: who are we in the awkward moments in-between? Waiting for the kettle to boil, the rain to stop, the bus to arrive; the beautiful but seemingly unremarkable moments.

They Look Like People is co-choreographed, co-written by and made in collaboration with Sadler’s Wells Company of Elders alongside set and costume designer Joshua Cartmell, composer Adam Vincent Clarke and lighting designer Amelia Hawkes.

“Our bodies may be containers, but they will carry specific histories. And those histories are still meaningful.”

– Chana Porter / The Seep

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Header image © Rich Lakos / ArenaPAL

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Running Time

1 hour (including one 20 minute interval)

World Premiere

Did you know?

Since 1989, Company of Elders, Sadler’s Wells’ resident over-60s performance company, has been demonstrating the power of lifelong creativity and proving it is never too late to start dancing.

Every week during term time, the group of 20 individuals rehearse with a renowned choreographer to make new work for public performances that can happen locally, nationally or internationally.