Dance, created in 1979, is considered to be a pinnacle of post-modern dance, a minimalist ballet that strips dance back to the language of the body. This seminal piece marks the first major collaboration of Lucinda Childs with the composer Philip Glass and is a must-see event for every contemporary dance fan.

Interpreted by 17 dancers slipping, jumping and twirling, the dance explores the repetitive and progressively shifting patterns of the score. Dance and music form a flow into which, in the words of Lucinda Childs, you want to “slip into”. Film plays an important part in this work. The seduction is amplified by the screening of the original Sol LeWitt film, thus producing a hypnotic split between stage and background. Dance is in every sense of the word, a delight.

Lucinda Childs, co-founder of the Judson Dance Theater became known in 1976 through her collaboration on the opera Einstein on the Beach by Robert Wilson and Philip Glass. Dance was, however, her first major show, and never did a piece so well deserve its title. Lyon Opera Ballet has been regular visitors to Sadler’s Wells and we are delighted to welcome back the company for this special event.

Part of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival

Image description: Two dancers, a man and a woman, face us in identical poses. Both wear long white tops and trousers. They balance on a bent left leg, right leg extended straight to the side, arms echoing the shape, with left arm bent and right extended and lifted. The dancers are doubled by large projections, twice life-size, which seem to float over them.

Co-presented by Sadler’s Wells and Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels
Header image © Jaime Roque de la Cruz