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Sadler's Wells, London
Wed 27 Mar - Sat 06 Apr 2024
Sadler's Wells, London
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1hour 30 minutes including one interval
#ENBCarmen
Johan Inger's fresh take on the classic tale of seduction and obsession

With its fiery drama and iconic music, Carmen never ceases to thrill. In this reimagined version, choreographer Johan Inger takes audiences deep into the passions and dark undercurrents of the original story – imbuing the enduring tale with new resonance.

Sensual and spirited, Carmen turns every head – including Don José’s. But when she refuses to fall under his control, he plunges into an abyss of jealousy and rage, with tragic consequences.

Inger’s choreography combines contemporary and classical movement to powerful effect. Nine large movable mirrors frame the action – transporting us from a town square through to the troubled mind of Don José. Menace and foreboding loom over the stage, thanks to additional music by Marc Alvarez which complements Bizet and Shchedrin’s classic score, performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic.

Johan Inger has choreographed for major companies around the world, including Nederlands Dans Theater and Spain’s National Dance Company. He won the Prix Benois de la Danse for Carmen, which English National Ballet brings to the UK for the first time.

Dancers: Emily Suzuki and Junor Souza. Photo © Jason Bell. Creative Direction: Charlotte Wilkinson Studio.

Reviews

“A striking, modern take on Bizet’s classic”

CREATIVE TEAM

Johan Inger
Choreography
George Bizet
Music
Rodion Shchedrin
Music
Marc Álvarez
Additional original music
Álvaro Domínguez Vázquez
Orchestration
David Delfin
Costume designs
Tom Visser
Lighting Design
Curt Allen Wilmer and Leticia Ganan AAPEE with estudiodeDos
Set Design
Gregor Acuña-Pohl
Dramaturgy
Toby Mallitt
Stager
Urtzi Aranburu
Stager

Credits

Meet the principal cast

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