At the Hawth Theatre, Crawley on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 August and at Sadler’s Wells on Sunday 4 September, National Youth Ballet Company will give a special Memorial Gala performance celebrating its founder and Artistic Director Jill Tookey CBE, who died in March.
The 2016 programme will feature highlights from NYB’s 29-year history, including The Old Man of Lochnagar, based on the children’s book by HRH The Prince of Wales, choreographed by Olivier Award winner and NYB alumnus Drew McOnie.
NYB’s Beyond Ballet platform will return, showcasing young choreographers presenting their own works.
The Sadler’s Wells performance will include new commissions and performances from returning alumni including choreographer Andrew McNicol, West End performer Lucinda Lawrence and Birmingham Royal Ballet first artist Ruth Brill.
The 2016 Season is led by Artistic Director in Residence Mikah Smillie, who said, “Jill Tookey was an extraordinary tour de force and the mastermind behind a pioneering company of young talented dancers. The dedication, cross-department collaborations and innovation created memorable performances and resulted in young artists being exposed to high-level production values and professionalism from very early on.
"Jill’s humour, tenacity and bravery to aim for the unachievable has left a significant mark and it is my honour and pleasure to help guide this season in the celebration of NYB's wonderful achievements and to help open the doors into a bright new future.”
National Youth Ballet involves young dancers aged 8 to 18 in every aspect of creating a ballet, from the conception of an idea through to performance on stage. This year, 120 dancers from across the country will perform in the 2016 season.