Richard Alston's Britten celebrations began in Canterbury in 2012 with A Ceremony of Carols, a co-commission by Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre and Sadler's Wells.
Appropriately, the Richard Alston Dance Company is opening its Spring Tour there with a new commission, Rejoice in the Lamb, from the Marlowe Theatre as part of an all-Britten programme, once again joined by Canterbury Cathedral choir.
Often inspired by text, Britten set Rejoice in the Lamb to the words of eighteenth century poet Christopher Smart, Jubilate Agno, which Smart wrote fuelled by religious mania whilst in an asylum. Alston's Rejoice in the Lamb shows the figure of Smart finally attaining peace.
The touring programme includes Illuminations, Lacrymae, Holderlin Fragments, Shimmer, Unfinished Business, The Devil in the Detail, A Ceremony of Carols, and Martin Lawrance's Madcap and Brink.
The repertoire changes for each venue, but every programme will include at least one piece choreographed to the music of Alston's beloved Britten.
Richard Alston Dance Company Spring Tour opens 12 February in Canterbury, then continues to Norwich, Truro, Exeter, Malvern, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Bromeley, Europe and USA from 16 February to 23 May.