Events

Local young dancers join inaugural Sadler’s Wells East production

Local dancing talent will take centre stage in immersive dance production Our Mighty Groove, which will run for four nights in February

The cast during Our Mighty Groove rehearsals, Credit: Ellie Kurttz

An “immersive” dance production filled with local young dancing talent will be the inaugural show at Sadler’s Wells East in February 2025.

Directed by Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu’s, Our Mighty Groove will see a cast of dancers aged 21 and under from Waltham Forest and neighbouring boroughs take centre stage in a “celebration of community and the power of the dance floor”.

Set in “Club Groove” where the audience is both spectator and participant, Our Mighty Groove incorporates Igbokwe-Ozoagu’s signature blend of club styles – house, waacking and vogue – fused with African and contemporary dance. It will runs at Sadler’s Wells East in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from Thursday 6th – Sunday 9th February 2025.

Following the show, the Club Groove after party takes over the dancefloor at Sadler’s Wells East where the audience is invited to continue the celebration. 

The young cast were invited to join the production following an open call out to dancers under the age of 21 who live or study in east London and  Our Mighty Groove will be the first professional performance many of them have taken part in. 

Playing one of the main characters is 21-year-old Shula Carter, from Walthamstow. A recent  graduate from LMA London, Carter has been part of Our Mighty Groove research and development since 2023.

Sadler’s Wells East, is the Clerkenwell theatre’s first branch in east London. Once officially open next year, it will put on shows in a 550-seat “flexible” theatre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Uchenna, the dance compnay behind Our Mighty Groove, is the first company to rehearse in one of its six purpose-built studios.

Our Mighty Groove Rehearsals, Image Credit Ellie Kurttz

Choreographer Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu said: “It’s an honour to have Our Mighty Groove opening Sadler’s Wells East and I’m so very proud to remake this Uchenna classic with the  phenomenal cast and creative team I’m collaborating with. 

I’m most excited about creating an experience for you the audience to let loose and enjoy. One  where you can, if you choose to, become part of the world we have created. 

I’m looking forward to observing the audience as they watch, groove and dance with our cast  while taking in the space. 

And I want to give a special shout out to our young cast, a group of talented performers and  definitely ones to watch. Being able to give them this opportunity for growth as they develop  their creativity, feeds into our plans to create more possibilities for them and other young people as we branch out and start the development of our brand-new dance and leadership  programme.” 

Find out more about Sadler’s Wells East here


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