aaamusic | On 05, Jun 2011

– THE WATERFRONT STAGE –

Added to Latitude’s incredible dance line-up is:

~ Sadler’s Wells presents: FELA! and Rambert Dance Company ~

Following its sell out success at the National Theatre and a triple Tony Award-winning run on Broadway, highlights from FELA! will be shown at Latitude this summer ahead of the full production at Sadler’s Wells, bursting with colour, infectious live music and exuberant dance.

On Sunday 17 July at Latitude FELA!’s full cast of 25 performers, will be lead by Olivier Award-nominated Sahr Ngaujah who returns to the title role at Sadler’s Wells, having garnered acclaim for his portrayal of Kuti in New York, Lagos and London. Sadler’s Wells’ summer show features many of Fela Kuti’s most captivating songs and Bill T Jones’ visionary staging and choreography, revealing Kuti’s controversial life as an artist and political activist through his pioneering music. Recognised as an icon in the international world of rock and roll, soul, jazz and hip-hop, Fela Kuti combined elements of traditional Yoruba, high life and jazz, giving rise to “Afrobeat”. Through his music he condemned military regimes in Nigeria. He was arrested more than 200 times and beaten savagely on many occasions. Despite this he continued to live in Nigeria and produced more than 70 albums during his career.

Concluding Saturday’s line-up on The Waterfront Stage is the Olivier Award-winning Rambert Dance Company, which celebrates its 85th anniversary this year. For Latitude this year the Company performs a new Rambert commission; Tim Rushton’s ‘Monolith’. Artistic Director of Danish Dance Theatre for 10 years, British-born Rushton returns to the UK to create his first piece for a British dance company, inspired by mystical energies that haunt sites of man-made gathering places.

FELA! TIM RUSHTON’S MONOLITH

Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director and Chief Executive Alistair Spalding:
“Latitude Festival continues to provide us with a platform to present dance to a wider audience beyond our theatre. We are delighted to be returning to the beautiful surroundings of The Waterfront Stage for a fourth year with an exciting and varied programme of dance which will appeal to all Latitude goers and dance enthusiasts alike.”

Sadler’s Wells Producer Emma Gladstone says:
“I’m thrilled that for our return to Latitude, we’re able to present our most ambitious line-up to date. 25 performers from the smash hit show FELA!, which celebrates the life of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, will wow the audience at Latitude ahead of their six-week run at Sadler’s Wells this summer.”

Sadler’s Wells is the UK’s leading dance house, committed to producing, commissioning and presenting new works and to bringing the very best international and UK dance to London audiences. Under the Artistic Directorship of Alistair Spalding the theatre’s cutting edge programme spans dance in all its forms, from cutting-edge contemporary to flamenco, bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap.

The stunning Waterfront Stage floats on the surface of Latitude’s central lake. A beautiful platform on which audiences can enjoy visual displays of delightful dance, one-off musical performances and incredible work by some of the countries most highly regarded choreographers, with Latitude’s luscious landscape providing the perfect backdrop.

Since its inception in 2006, Latitude has changed the face of festivals forever, with a passion only matched by its ambition. Encompassing all aspects of the art and music worlds Latitude is the only place that brings together the best in music, literature, comedy, poetry, film, theatre, cabaret, art, dance, opera and fashion for one spectacular weekend. With an unrivalled line-up taking shape, Latitude 2011 will be another exhilarating, scintillating and inspirational festival of fun.