TAKING CHINA’S DANCE WORLD BY STORM TAO DANCE THEATRE RETURNS TO SADLER’S WELLS

TAO Dance Theater will showcase two pieces from its Numerical Series; 4, and the company’s latest work 9, which receives its UK premiere

TICKETS: www.sadlerswells.com

Known for its mixture of art forms and mesmeric qualities, TAO’s works are a continuation of minimalist experimentation which explore the potential of using the human body as a visual aspect, devoid of story-telling or representation.

The newest work, 9, draws inspiration from Chinese culture, hardship and renewal and is a crucial turning point in the Numerical Series.

In 4, the dancers do not touch but a powerful unity condenses itself around intersubjective, coordinated movements. Both works feature music from TAO’s regular collaborator and indie-folk musician, Xiao He.

The company was founded in 2008 by artistic director, Tao Ye, seeking to stand out from other choreographers.

The company has performed in more than 40 countries across five continents, and was last at Sadler’s Wells in October 2016.

TAO DANCE THEATER EUROPEAN TOUR

11 May, 4 & 8

Porto: Festival Dias Da Dança

18 May, 6 & 7

Calais: Le Channel Scène Nationale Calais

24 – 25 May, 4 & 9

London: Sadler’s Wells www.sadlerswells.com

1 June, 6 & 7

Sète: Theatre Moliere Sete

5 – 8 June, 8 & 9

Paris: Théâtre de la Ville

11 June, 6 & 9

Naples: Naples International Festival

14 June, 4 & 5

Joué-lès-Tours: Espace Malraux

18 – 20 June, 4 & 8

Moscow: Chekov International Theatre Festival

ABOUT TAO

Over the last ten years, TAO Dance Theatre has toured to more than 40 countries and over 100 art festivals. TAO was the first contemporary dance company from China invited to perform at the Lincoln Center, Edinburgh International Festival, Sydney Opera House and Théâtre de la Ville.

Choreographer and founder Tao Ye has developed a training technique that allows his dancers to explore the potential of the human body and its extremes. He has been invited to teach workshops in China and abroad, including at the American Dance Festival, Canada’s Harbourfront Centre, Singapore Arts Festival, Dongyi University of Korea, Beijing Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA), Beijing Dance Academy, China Central University of Nationalities, among others.