Alex, one of the dancers in rehearsal
GCDA is proud to be hosting Black British Ballet as it rehearses for a new show based on the Windrush experience. Using the purpose-built dance studio at Kidbrooke Community Hub, members of the cast have been in residence since September preparing for the opening of Island Movements, an epic tale charting the life of a family from the Windrush generation.
Black British Ballet is a new innovative movement that aims to document the history and experiences of Black dancers and choreographers in British ballet over the last century. Dr Patrick Williams a resident of Halton Court in Kidbrooke Village is one of the two choreographers who have created the ballet and has been leading rehearsals at KChub.
Patrick was taught by Alvin Ailey at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in New York, and was spotted by the famous Rudolph Nureyev who brought him back to the Paris Opera House. Here he flourished, before returning to the UK to work with the English National Ballet School and other institutions.
Wayne preparing for his part in the show
Island Movements will tour arts venues and libraries around the country from this October.