Published
Apr 18, 2023
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Grace Wales Bonner in NYDC dance collab

Published
Apr 18, 2023

Dance collabs are increasingly popular at the upper end of the market and fresh from reports of Burberry’s Royal Ballet link-up that premieres in June comes news from Grace Wales Bonner.




Sadler’s Wells and Wayne McGregor have unveiled a new collaboration between the designer and the National Youth Dance Company (NYDC).

Wales Bonner is linking with McGregor — NYDC Guest Artistic Director and Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist — for a new work celebrating the company’s 10th anniversary. 

She designed the costumes for McGregor’s Novacene that has just seen its world premiere at The Lowry, Salford. 

NYDC, which this year is made up of 34 young dancers from 19 towns and cities across the country, will also perform it at Sadler’s Wells Theatre on Saturday 3 June followed by a UK tour. 

As mentioned, it’s the youth company’s decade anniversary year and to celebrate, Sadler’s Wells will host a series of “birthday parties linked to the tour dates bringing young people together to celebrate and dance”. 

Its Learning & Engagement department will lead activity around the country, including 100 free school workshops and five regional commissions celebrating the success of the company. 

So what of the creative work? McGregor’s Novacene  is linked to scientist and inventor James Lovelock book on cyborgs.

And McGregor said of the Wales Bonner partnership: “[The] new dance work that celebrates the dynamic and breathtakingly individual talents of the company. As Guest Artistic Director this year, I wanted these young artists to experience the full range of creative power that converges to create work. Grace’s imagination, style and contemporary vision speaks to us all and having her and the team work hands on with our young artists is nothing short of inspirational.”

The designer added: “I have always been inspired by the rich and expressive gestures of dance in designing silhouettes, so it has been a great pleasure to collaborate with NYDC and Wayne McGregor. I hope these custom pieces allow the young artists to shine with their full individuality and energy.”

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