Ballet Black is returning to the Barbican with its latest double bill choreographed by Sophie Laplane and Mthuthuzeli November. Ballet Black is a British Ballet company founded in 2001 in response to the lack of people of colour in the dance industry and has made a fundamental change in the diversity of classical dance in Britain.

Ballet Black’s 2023 run at the Barbican ended in March of this year featuring Will Tucket’s Then or Now and November’s By Whatever Means – an ode to performer and activist Nina Simone. It is no surprise that after a run of sold-out shows and a long-standing relationship with The Barbican, Ballet Black is set on making a return.

The new 2024 show will take place in May featuring a show co-commissioned by the Barbican which screened on the BBC during Lockdown. The aim of the show is to explore the ‘complexity of humanity, heroism and self-acceptance’ – the title of which is yet to be announced.

The second half of the double bill includes yet another piece by Mthuthuzeli November entitled The Waiting Game based on the meaning of life now receiving its Barbican stage debut. 

Following this announcement Toni Racklin, Head of Theatre and Dance at the Barbican, said, “We are honoured to share work from some of the most important companies making exhilarating work here in the UK.”

Claire Spencer, Barbican Centre CEO, also commented on the centre’s spring offerings saying, “We are so excited to share our spring offer of dance, theatre & live performance. At times such as these, it is especially important to remember the power of the arts to bring people and ideas together.”

Ballet Black will be back at the Barbican Centre in May 2024 with tickets from £16 available from Barbican website.