A message from Cassa Pancho about the first West End performance of Ballet Black:

Some of you will already know, and others won't -but we are performing four new ballets next week and it would be great if you could come along. Here are the details:

Venue: Cochrane Theatre, Holborn WC1 (nearest tube Holborn on the Central Line)

Dates: Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th of October

Time: 8pm (running time approx 1 1/2 hours including interval)

What: Four new ballets choreographed by Denzil Bailey, Patrick Lewis, Stephen Sheriff and myself, plus live musicians, including Celloman

Tickets: £12 or £6 concession. You can call the Box Office on: 0207 269 1606

Also, my apologies for the late notice of this, but if you can be there - GREAT!
Hope to see you soon,
Love and best wishes,
Cassa

Cassa Pancho
Director, Ballet Black
Tel: 07786 318 509
http://www.balletblack.co.uk

Here's the link to the most recent entry in Cassa's Diary on ballet.co.

<img src="http://www.balletblack.co.uk/images/BBposter_large.gif" alt="" />
A poster from Ballet Black's last season at the Cochrane Theatre

press release

BALLET BLACK is back!


Following the phenomenal success of Ballet Black?s debut performance, the UK's newest classical ballet company returns to the Cochrane Theatre in Holborn. The incredible and original performance, titled "Ballet Black", can be seen on 21st and 22nd February 2004.

The full-length programme consists of four original and inspired works choreographed by both new and established talent. From the moving opening item "New Beginning" to the inspirational "Pas de Trois", and fun "Boogaloo Rooms" the evening is one of neoclassical works brought to life by the funky music of Celloman and other artists.

Company Director, Cassa Pancho established Ballet Black in 2000 to showcase the talents of black, Asian and mixed-race dancers; ?I founded Ballet Black when I discovered through research whilst training at the Royal Academy of Dance, that there were no professional ballet companies in the UK promoting talented black* ballet dancers. My dancers will challenge preconceptions and weaken boundaries that are rarely if ever acknowledged.

Classical ballet stems from a white European tradition? and with the changing times there has been little, if any, change in the representation of ballet dancers from diverse backgrounds. Opportunities for black* dancers are commonly confined to genres such as contemporary or commercial dance, rather than having a major presence in ballet. We hope that many new and existing ballet companies follow suit.

<small>[ 09 February 2004, 03:43 PM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>