Unite for Ukraine – Central joins top dance schools at Sadler’s Wells gala performance

Central School of Ballet will join five of the UK’s top dance schools in a special gala performance, Unite for Ukraine, at London’s Sadler’s Wells on Sunday 15 May. The one night show has been created to support young people who have been affected by the war in Ukraine with proceeds from the event being donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee, Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

Students from Central will be amongst others from English National Ballet School, Elmhurst Ballet School, Northern Ballet School, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance and The Royal Ballet School who together will perform a range of classical and contemporary works.

The programme for the evening’s performance will include excerpts from Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s The Sleeping Beauty, Scottish Dances by Sir David Bintley, Grace & Gravity by Andrew McNicol and Being by Peter Leung. Central’s students will perform an excerpt from Ashley Page’s Twice Removed, and Bolero by Sherrill Wexler, with more repertoire still to be announced from other schools.

Kate Coyne, Central School of Ballet’s Artistic Director said: “Using dance to raise awareness of the terrifying war in Ukraine is important to all at Central – particularly our students who are conscious of young people their own age and their harrowing experiences in that part of Europe. And if we can collectively as six schools use the power of dance to also raise funds for the appeal then this makes performing together all the more poignant. We are very pleased to be participating in the event at Sadlers next month.”

Artistic Director of English National Ballet School and Director of Unite for Ukraine, Viviana Durante said: “We have all seen the shocking images and been moved by the harrowing stories coming out of Ukraine. By coming together with six of the UK’s leading ballet schools we hope to use our art form to raise awareness of young people who have been adversely affected by the war and much needed funds for the DEC Ukraine Appeal to help provide essential support for those in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.”

All schools, their associated artists and choreographers have donated their services and Sadler’s Wells has generously provided the theatre without charge to maximise fundraising efforts.