OUR STAGE WORK
Deluxe (2020/2022)
To celebrate our 20th anniversary, BalletBoyz created a brand new live dance show called Deluxe. It fused beautiful dance with original music in our unmistakable style, including collaborations from some of the world’s most inventive and thought-provoking choreographers and composers. Shanghai-based dancer and choreographer Xie Xin (TAO Dance Theatre) made her UK debut choreographing a new piece for the Company dancers, set to an original score by composer Jiang Shaofeng, whilst Maxine Doyle (Punchdrunk) presented work to live jazz music by composer Cassie Kinoshi, of the Mercury Prize-nominated SEED Ensemble.
Our Artistic Directors Michael Nunn and William Trevitt said the following about the show:
"...Over the last 20 years we have always thrived on the thrill of new collaborations and that urge still shapes our creative decisions. The point of being a repertoire company and not choreographer lead is precisely to be able to change direction, take risks on fresh ideas, discover new voices and reveal unexpected outcomes. Despite doing this for 20 years, we never want to settle for more of the same."
Deluxe initially embark on a nationwide UK tour from March to May, as a co-production with Sadler’s Wells.
After the pandemic, the tour was rescheduled and Deluxe was finally performed to audiences around the UK, including a 4 night run at Sadler's Wells from the 23-26th of March 2022
'It's impossible to look away' - The Guardian****
Them/Us (2019)
Set to contrasting scores by Charlotte Harding and Keaton Henson, Them/Us is an inventive double bill asking where we see ourselves in relation to the “other,” and explores the fine balance between them and us.
Them is created through a unique choreographic process by the dancers. The piece explores the versatility of movement which the company has always been known for and proves to be an exciting culmination of the experience gained after 20 years of working with leading artists. Tony and Olivier Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon concludes the evening with Us, exploring human connections and culminating in a tender duet.
'A fantastic piece of dance: thoughtful, fresh, finessed.' The Guardian ****
'This is dance at its most powerful, achingly beautiful.' CultureWhisper ****
'It doesn’t matter what they dance. The result is always the same — fantastic.' The Times
Fourteen Days (2017)
For the new works in the first half of Fourteen Days, choreographers Javier de Frutos, Craig Revel Horwood, Ivan Perez and Christopher Wheeldon are teamed with composers Scott Walker, Joby Talbot, Charlotte Harding and Keaton Henson and each given just fourteen days to create their pieces. Playing with the concept of balance and imbalance, the result is an exciting and varied programme of dance and music.
Fallen forms the second half of the evening, choreographed by Russell Maliphant and set to a powerful score by French film composer Armand Amar. Fallen won the National Dance Award for Best Modern Choreography in 2013.
Life. (2016)
Life. premiered at Sadler’s Wells on 20th April 2016, featuring two new commissions by internationally acclaimed choreographers Pontus Lidberg and Javier de Frutos.
Life. takes an elegant, powerful and often humorous look at life and death.
Featuring music by Henryk Görecki (Kleines Requiem für eine Polka) and a brand new commission from Ben Foskett.
'BalletBoyz capture the absurdity of life' - The Telegraph****
Young Men (2015)
Young Men is a full-length production from BalletBoyz. In an intensely moving portrayal of love, friendship, loss and survival, Young Men explores the theme of war and the bonds that develop between the men consumed by it. Drawing inspiration from images of conflict through the ages, the production is a compelling hybrid of dance, theatre and screen performance from the ever-inventive BalletBoyz.
Opening the Sadler’s Wells 2015 programme, Young Men was choreographed by rising star Iván Pérez and featured a newly-commissioned original score from the cult singer songwriter Keaton Henson.
The Murmuring/Mesmerics (2014)
This show featured two commissions from leading British choreographers, The Murmuring by Alexander Whitley and Mesmerics by Christopher Wheeldon. Performed by the incredible all male cast of 10 dancers, The Murmuring/Mesmerics is an evening of style, excitement and muscular grace.
'…like a smooth deep breath interrupted by a kick to the ribs.' Evening Standard
'...a wonderfully bonded ensemble who move with passion and presence…' The Times
'A triumphant return for the prodigal sons.' TimeOut
Serpent/Fallen (2013)
Serpent by Liam Scarlett (Royal Ballet Artist in Residence) is set to the haunting music of Max Richter’s Memoryhouse.
The second piece, Fallen, is choreographed by Russell Maliphant and set to a powerful score by French film composer Armand Amar.
Fallen won the award for Best Modern Choreography at the 2013 National Dance Awards and both pieces feature lighting from Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Michael Hulls.
Torsion/Alpha/Void (2010)
The next phase of the company’s development following Michael and Billy's decision to take a break from performing began by scouring the country for the brightest and best dancing talent. 8 dancers, all exclusively young men aged 18 – 24 with a broad spectrum of capabilities, training and experience, were chosen to form this new venture. Works included an exhilarating re-working of Russell Maliphant’s Torsion, as well as brand new commissions from Royal Opera House 2 Associate Artist Freddie Opoku-Addaie, and Paul Roberts, choreographer for the likes of Girls Aloud, Dianna Ross, Boyzone and Pixie Lott.
'Steps unfold with velvet smoothness, easing into powerful lifts and calm balances' Independent
BalletBoyz: Greatest Hits (2008)
The BalletBoyz: Greatest Hits is a collection of some of their most treasured pieces of repertoire; works that have been critically acclaimed, and some that they just can’t seem to stop performing! Featuring works by Russell Maliphant, Rafael Bonachela, Liv Lorent and Craig Revel Horwood. With archive footage and special films linking each piece and telling the story of this dynamic duo, it really is a smash hit!
'Nunn and Trevitt are superb …the Boyz triumph. Cheers for them as artists and as explorers!' Financial Times
Darcey Bussell - Farewell (2007)
Having danced with Bussell from a young age at The Royal Ballet School, the Boyz were delighted to have the opportunity to organise this show to mark her retirement after twenty years of dancing with The Royal Ballet. The programme itself is a mix of Bussell’s favorites, ranging from Ashton’s ‘Cinderella’ to Forsythe’s ‘In the middle, somewhat elevated’.
'Produced by William Trevitt and Michael Nunn, it became something more; an evening beyond praise.' Daily Telegraph
RFH Gala: Ballet for the People (2007)
This celebration of the long awaited re-opening of the Royal Festival Hall highlighted the important role that dance and performance have played over the years at the Southbank Centre. It brought the best of traditional and contemporary British ballet together in an evening of extreme talent and world class performance, done with the boys own inimitable style.
'Impossible for anyone to have left the gala feeling anything other than bouyed up and exhilarated by the Boyz’ enthusiasm and respect for their chosen art form.' Observer
Encore (2007)
To mark the Boyz twentieth year of working together, Encore was designed to celebrate the diversity of contemporary dance with a selection of different works by choreographers Will Tuckett, Charles Linehan, Liv Lorent and Rafael Bonachela.
'Michael Nunn and Billy Trevitt’s virtuosity is something to behold.' Independent on Sunday
Naked (2005)
Naked saw a stunning combination of film and contemporary dance, developed in collaboration with Russell Maliphant, which told the modern story of love, betrayal and revenge. A melancholic quintet that featured the boys alongside Yvette Halfhide, Oxana Panchenko, Monica Zamora and Tom Linecar.
'This transfixing piece…a gorgeous commentary on desire.' Observer
Rise and Fall (2004)
Maliphant cleverly mined the strict ballet training of both the Boyz and Guillem, influencing his own unique style of choreography in this evening of work. The result was a stunning display of raw strength and exceptional physical craftsmanship. The works featured in this evening of world class dance were ‘Torsion’ (male duet), ‘Two’ (female solo) and ‘Broken Fall’ (trio).
'A brave new world for all three of these stunning classicists, who are here recast in a dazzling choreographic essay about trust and intimacy which takes these bodies to a place ballet never reaches.' Times
Pointless (2001)
Pointless was performed when BalletBoyz was George Piper Dances, in London at the legendary Roundhouse. Aiming to create something unique, the show features works by Paul Lightfoot, Sol León, William Forsythe and Russell Maliphant.
'Britain's most off-the-wall ballet dancers.' Daily Telegraph