As part of Black History Month, dancers from The Royal Ballet will be joined by dancers from national and international companies in Legacy, curated and presented by Royal Ballet Principal dancer Joseph Sissens in collaboration with Royal Ballet Director Kevin O’Hare, dedicated to black and brown ballet artists.
Sissens will present what he has called “a love letter to my community, to all those who will follow” following on from Joseph Toonga's presentation of the company’s Black History Month celebrations last year. There will also be an Insight event on Monday 7 October in the Clore Studio, which will be streamed live on the RBO YouTube channel.
Black Generations on 26 October in the Clore Studio will feature a new family-friendly work choreographed by Liam Francis, showcasing young dancers from the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Chance to Dance: Connect programme alongside the programme's alumni dancers Shevelle Dynott, Monique Jonas and Jacob Wye as well as a presentation from the Black British Ballet Project and an opportunity to see the rehearsal process from a piece featured in Legacy in the Linbury Theatre.
In the Linbury Theatre foyer, a free-to-attend exhibition, running 30 September–10 November 2024 and curated by The Black British Ballet Project titled Pioneers of Black British Ballet, shows a visual history of dancers from The Royal Ballet School and members of The Royal Ballet from the 1970s to now, featuring dancers such as Johaar Mosaval, Shevelle Dynott, Jacob Wye, Rishan Benjamin and Monique Jonas, as well as The Royal Ballet’s collaboration with Dance Theatre of Harlem on its Chance to Dance programme.
An expanded version of the exhibition will go on tour to libraries across the UK until the end of 2025 in partnership with Libraries Connected, Oxygen Arts and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.