Get your diaries out—stupendous news. Sadler’s Wells today announced a programme of new work specially commissioned for ballet star Natalia Osipova as part of its spring and summer 2016 season. And... Osipova will be joined by real life partner Sergei Polunin for these world premières. It will be the first time that they will have danced together in the UK.
Inspired by Osipova, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is creating a trio, Russell Maliphant will be choreographing a duet and the evening will end with Osipova starring in a solo work by Arthur Pita. This world première triple bill is programmed from 29 June to 2 July 2016.
Following in the footsteps of Sylvie Guillem and Tamara Rojo in taking on a new challenge with contemporary dance, in a production co-produced by Sadler’s Wells and Moscow’s Muz Art Management Company, Osipova said, “as a dancer I am always looking for the opportunity to challenge myself and try new things, so I am greatly excited about this chance to work again with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Arthur Pita, and work for the first time with Russell Maliphant. I’d like to thank Sadler’s Wells for giving me the chance to work with them on a contemporary programme by three choreographers I really admire.”
Natalia Osipova is currently a Principal with The Royal Ballet. She joined the company in 2013 after her guest appearance in Swan Lake, and has performed lead roles in Giselle, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker and La Fille mal gardée and DGV: Danse à grande vitesse. She has created roles in Wayne McGregor’s Tetractys and Woolf Works and Alastair Marriott’s Connectome.
She started her formal ballet training at the age of eight, before joining the Bolshoi Ballet at the age of 18. She has also danced with American Ballet Theatre and Mikhailovsky Ballet.
Sadler’s Wells Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Alistair Spalding CBE said, “I am thrilled to be working with Natalia on a programme of contemporary works created specifically with her in mind.
"She is an incredible dancer and we are very excited that she has chosen to collaborate with Sadler’s Wells and excellent contemporary choreographers Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Russell Maliphant, both Sadler’s Wells Associate Artists, and Arthur Pita, whom she has worked with before.”