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Sadler's Wells

Theatre Clerkenwell
5 out of 5 stars
(13user reviews)
Winner<br/>2016

Winner
2016
Winner<br/>2016

Winner
2016
Sadlers Wells_CREDIT_CREDIT_Morley von Sternberg (1).jpg
© Morley von Sternberg

This Islington venue is synonymous with cutting edge dance of every flavour

Tucked away on the streets behind Angel station, Sadler's Wells is a sizeable purpose-built 1998 studio complex built on the site of the original seventeenth-century theatre of the same name. And it's the place to go for dance fans, drawing an impressive line-up of local and international talent.

Artistic director Alastair Spalding presides over a varied line-up of in house and touring shows, which take in modern and experimental dance, tango, flamenco (watch out for the annual Flamenco Festival), hip hop, classical and contemporary ballet as well as Matthew Bourne's crowd-pleasing brand of witty dance theatre. There's typically a family-friendly ballet classic at Christmas, as well as annual festivals like Breakin' Convention, a massive celebration of hip hop dance. Main house shows take place in the comfortable, 1,500 seater auditorium, while the smaller Lilian Baylis Studio houses smaller-scale new works and works in progress. And the Peacock Theatre (on Portugal Street in Holborn) operates as a satellite venue for big commercial dance spectacles.

Sadler's Wells is the sixth theatre to stand on its Islington site, and famous producer Lilian Baylis and dancer Ninette de Valois were both instrumental in its multi-stage 20th century transition from crumbling music hall to state-of-the-art dance venue. Its name dates back to the 1680s, when the theatre discovered a medicinal well whose water was said to have health-giving properties. You can still look down the well today, though the days of taking a quick dip before a show are long gone. 

Posted:

Venue name: Sadler's Wells
Contact:
Visit Website Call Venue 0844 412 4300
Address: Rosebery Avenue
London
EC1R 4TN
Opening hours: 10am-8pm Mon-Sat
Transport: Tube: Angel
Price: Prices vary
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  • Dance

    Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet

    The latest show from Matthew Bourne's dance theatre hit factory New Adventures is a fresh take on 'Romeo and Juliet', his follow up to 'The Red Shoes' and his perennially popular 'Swan Lake'. It'll get its London premiere at Sadler's Wells this August,...

    Ballet Wednesday July 24 2019 - Saturday August 31 2019
  • Theatre

    Singin' in the Rain

    Brollies at the ready: musical comedy gem ‘Singin' in the Rain’ is coming to Sadler's Wells for a limited five-week stint in Summer 2020. It's not a venue that typically hosts musicals but this show's fiendishly elaborate, rain-soaked tap routines mean...

    Musicals Friday July 26 2019 - Saturday August 29 2020
  • Dance

    The Red Shoes

    'The Red Shoes' returns to Sadler's Wells for Christmas 2019. This review is from its 2016 premiere Translating a much-loved movie to the stage can be a fraught enterprise. Matthew Bourne keeps a steady hand on the tiller, though, as he transforms the...

    4 out of 5 stars
    Ballet Tuesday December 3 2019 - Sunday January 19 2020
  • Dance

    The Little Match Girl

    This review is for the 2014 premiere of 'The Little Match Girl'. The performance returns for Christmas 2019. Hip choreographer Arthur Pita’s latest dance piece, ‘The Little Match Girl’, is based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and involves a poor...

    4 out of 5 stars
    West End Wednesday December 11 2019 - Sunday December 29 2019

Average User Rating

4.8 / 5

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star:11
  • 4 star:2
  • 3 star:0
  • 2 star:0
  • 1 star:0
LiveReviews|13
2 people listening
tastemaker

What an awesome show, a complete fusion of opera meets, Latin American dance and the spirit of Cuba. A talented cast of dancers, singers and actors makes director ,Christopher Renshaws take on Bizets classic opera Carmen a hit. Luna Manzanares Nardo, Albita Rodriguez and Saeed Mohamed were fantastic. Expect amazing energy, vibrant dancing and great vocals. Great choreography and production.

Tastemaker

A wonderful theatre that specialises in dance,especially ballet. A large and comfortable theatre,with great sight lines. A perfect place for families or elderly people.A hub of dance culture in the heart of Islington! 


Sadler's Wells is a stunning venue just a short walk away from Angel. It reminds me of Christmas as I've made it a tradition to go to a Matthew Bourne Ballet as a Christmas treat every year, always absolutely mesmerising. 

tastemaker

I went to Sadler's Wells a few times, and the quality of productions shown there is up to their reputation. I attended "Casanova" by the Northern Ballet and it was mind-blowing of beauty, from the dancers and the orchestra. The theatre has a modern look, which proves to be perfect in terms of sound and light. Seats are comfortable. The bar though is very very expensive (£10 for a glass of red) so for a treat you should buy a bottle, but if you are on a budget stay away! 

tastemaker

The place to go for contemporary dance, visited on multiple occasions. If you're picking up tickets do go at least 20mins before the show starts. The ground floor atrium is slightly small, and the queues for pick ups are always long. Somehow always feels slightly rushed just before the curtain, would be nice to have people seated well in advance.


The theatre interior is new and nicely finished, with decent leg room. Great location to make an evening out of it by getting food and drinks around Angel as well.


I have been going to Sadler's wells since I was a child to see dance shows. Its my favourite venue- as a lover of all things dance it has the most diverse range of shows on- something for everyone

tastemaker

If you like dance then a visit to Sadlers Wells is a must. I had the luxury of catching Hofesh Scheter's Barbarians here which blew me away. I saw another one of his productions at Brixton Academy which took away the intimacy and emotion which Sadlers provided. Make sure you get seats down the front for the full experience as you can feel the vibrations from the music. I would also advise ordering your interval drinks on arrival. When you come out, they will be waiting for you opposite the bar. It's not that expensive either considering that most theatres bump up their prices just because they can. I got a vodka and Diet Coke for 4.50 which is close to standard London prices.


Been to this venue last Saturday 20.02.16 as part of the 'Flamenco Festival London 2016'.

The venue is pretty amazing and new, with incredible acoustics.


The show was absolutely fantastic - Sara Baras is the most famous Flamenco dancer in Spain and probably the world and stunned us all.


The festival finishes on the 28.02.16, if you have an opportunity don't miss it!

Tastemaker

This theatre is very well set out and a lot bigger than expected.It is modern and clean and, although it may lack the charm of the older theatres in the West End, it is well set up for plays, shows etc.The staff were friendly and helpful and the facilities are great. 

Tastemaker

If you like contemporary dance, then definitely this is your place! Well established or just new contemporary dance companies from around the world are all welcome here. You can also catch now and then ballet, flamenco or hip hop shows. The theatre itself has excellent architecture, modern huge lounge rooms and really spacious seats. Tickets are less than average priced & If you book for more than one show, you get 20% discount! One of my favorite theatre all over London!


THE place to go for the most exceptional and diverse dance in London. I'm always delighted to discover new choreographers here. And the multisave discount makes it even sweeter.

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