Sadler’s Wells East has officially launched, being hailed as a transformative development for dance in London.
Situated in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, this new establishment features a 550-seat auditorium, six cutting-edge dance studios, and an open performance area for the public.
In its inaugural season, the venue will host twenty productions, highlighting the work of local artists as well as dance troupes from both the UK and around the globe.
Sadler’s Wells East joins other notable institutions such as the BBC Music Studios, V&A East, UAL’s London College of Fashion, and UCL East as part of the newly formed educational hub, East Bank, which emerged in the aftermath of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Additionally, it will house two educational initiatives: Academy Breakin’ Convention, a hip hop theatre school for students aged 16 to 19, and the Rose Choreographic School, an innovative research project.
The venue will showcase a diverse array of dance styles, encompassing hip hop, ballet, contemporary dance, and kathak.
This summer, it will also feature a two-week youth festival that will unite the national youth dance companies from England, Scotland, and Wales and showcase dance pieces created by young artists.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, inaugurated Sadler’s Wells East on Thursday.
He expressed that it represents another thrilling step in the East Bank initiative.
“Recognized globally as the UK’s premier dance organization, this new venue will revolutionize the dance scene in the capital,” he stated.
“The school, the studio facilities, and an exciting program will highlight and cultivate talent not just from London but from all over the nation, offering inspiration and opportunities for youth—creating a world-class vision that is accessible to everyone, helping us to foster a better London for all.”
