On Thursday 24 October as part of Black History Month, Classically British & Co, part of the charity The Mark Elie Dance Foundation, will celebrate its 21st anniversary with a special gala performance event and educational afternoon at Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells Theatre.
Mark Elie, CEO & Artistic Director of The Mark Elie Dance Foundation, said, “I established Classically British & Co to produce an annual event showcasing some of the very best emerging dance talent from across the Black/mixed ethnic community, supporting diversity and equality across the classical ballet and contemporary dance sector in the UK.
“Progress has been made in recent years and the dance landscape is now changing here in the UK with more and more companies working with people of colour. However, there is still a lot more work to be done. I’m proud of the role Classically British & Co has played over the last two decades—and continues to do so—in contributing to educating and inspiring current and future generations.”
In October’s gala, British choreographer Namron OBE has choreographed a piece, and classical music composer Joy Sigaud will debut her first composition for a ballet entitled Resonance & Resilience inspired by the journey of the Windrush generation and their descendants choreographed and performed by students and alumni of the Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance.
Vincent Osbourne, Artistic Director of the Black British Classical Foundation, will orchestrate an opera performance with dancer Oraine Frater, Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp CBE, Julie Felix MBE and Amanda Britton MA will give talks, and there will be a special video message from Classical British & Co alumnus and star of stage, screen and Strictly Come Dancing Layton Williams.