Modern contemporary dance and music performance space.
Occupying a site with a long tradition of entertaining Londoners, Sadler's Wells exists to bring the best of national and international dance, ballet, opera and music theatre to the capital. Now a strikingly modern building with flexible performance and auditorium spaces, the original Sadler’s Wells opened in 1683. Six Sadler’s Wells’ later and sleek steel and glass have replaced the crumbling brick edifice of previous centuries. Originally a music hall, the venue now boasts a resoundingly contemporary but extremely accessible programme - with an emphasis on dance and movement - supported by innovative visual arts exhibitions in its public spaces. Sadler's really came into its own when Lilian Baylis took charge in the 1920s. Since then many of the world's best dancers have performed on this Islington stage. In 1995, Matthew Bourne premiered his magnificent ‘Swan Lake’ here which went on to become the West End's longest running ballet. Sadler's Wells continues to have close associations with the centrally located Peacock Theatre, its home during periods of renovation, while the Lilian Baylis Theatre - now a highly regarded venue in itself – is located within the Sadler’s Well Islington complex. It’s really worth checking out what’s on here if you’re down for the weekend. Ranging from the cutting-edge to the mainstream, some truly landmark productions have taken place here over the years (‘Edward Scissorhands’) – which make this an attractive proposition for entertainment in the capital.
Best for:
Ballet and Bourne, 'Swan Lake' and 'Scissorhands', contemporary dance and classics.
Did you know?
Sadler's Wells takes its name from the theatre’s original founder, Richard Sadler, and the wells that were discovered on the site.
Photo: Morley von Sternburg
What's on at
Sadler's Wells
Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray 7th July 2009 - 19th July 2009 Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray was a sell-out hit when it...
Price: £10-£49
Adam Cooper's Shall We Dance 23rd July 2009 - 30th August 2009 This is one of those productions that is anticipated with...
Matthew Bourne's 'Dorian Gray'
Sadler's Wells Theatre, EC1R 4TN
7th July 2009 - 19th July 2009
Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray was a glorious sell-out hit when it arrived... More
Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands
Sadler's Wells, EC1R 4TN
3rd December 2008 - 17th January 2009
When the film was released in 1990, Tim Burton's sinister fairytale became a... More
Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!
Sadler's Wells Theatre, EC1R 4TN
Thursday 13th December 2007 - Sunday 20th January 2008
This is pure imagination let loose; 'Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!'... More
Flamenco Festival London
Passion, emotion and drama come to Sadler's Wells for their third annual Flamenco Festival, just in time for Valentine's Day. Spead over two... More
Sadler's Wells
Rosebery Avenue, Islington, EC1R 4TN
Modern contemporary dance and music performance space
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Modern contemporary dance and music performance space.
Occupying a site with a long tradition of entertaining Londoners, Sadler's Wells exists to bring the best of national ... More
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Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray was a sell-out hit when it arrived at Sadler's Wells last year, but that was mainly down to Bourne's radical reputation ... More
This is one of those productions that is anticipated with expectant excitement; the latest show from award-winning dancer and choreographer Adam Cooper, Shall We Dance ...More
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Modern contemporary dance and music performance space.
