Sting’s music in Birmingham Hippodrome dance show

Published: 2 February 2019
Reporter: Steve Orme

Sting and Kate Prince

A new dance theatre production set to the music of Sting and choreographed by Kate Prince, Message in a Bottle, is to have its première at Birmingham Hippodrome.

It is described as “an uplifting story of humanity and hope” and is a combination of “highly original lyrical hip-hop dance and breathtaking music”. Songs include “Every Breath You Take”, “Roxanne”, “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”, “Walking on the Moon”, “Englishman in New York” and “Fields of Gold”.

Sting said, “it’s an intriguing idea to align my songs and music with the work of a successful and highly esteemed choreographer of Kate’s standing. I witnessed one of the first workshops and was very excited by the potential. It’s always interesting when someone from another field offers a fresh and unexpected perspective on your work and I’m so looking forward to seeing the piece.”

The cast features dancers from ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company, a Hippodrome associate company. Full casting will be announced after national auditions.

Kate Prince commented, “I’ve been a fan of Sting and The Police all my life and have seen him play live four times. As a choreographer, when I listen to any music I’m always inspired to create dance, and Sting’s music, which has been playing in my headphones for more than 30 years, kept bringing me to the same thought, ‘I want to choreograph to this’. As a body of work it’s a choreographer’s dream.

“I mentioned the idea in passing to Alistair Spalding from Sadler’s Wells who has been supporting my career and ZooNation for 15 years. Pretty soon I found myself nervously entering the lobby of a swanky London hotel to pitch the idea to Sting himself. Much to my complete surprise but complete delight, it’s actually happening!”

Fiona Allan, the Hippodrome’s artistic director and chief executive, added, “Message in a Bottle will be a bold, new show for audiences who perhaps may have never seen dance on our main stage. This unique collaboration with ZooNation is truly exciting for Birmingham audiences and another great announcement in our 120th anniversary year.”

Message In A Bottle is a Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK production, co-produced with Birmingham Hippodrome and The Lowry. It can be seen on the Birmingham Hippodrome stage in April 2020.

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