Sadler’s Wells in London is to premiere a brand new show by their Associate Artist Kate Prince.
Mixtape – Celebrating 20 years of ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company will celebrate 20 years of Prince’s dance company ZooNation, and will run at Sadler’s Wells from 5 to 8 October 2022.
Kate Prince is known for her groundbreaking storytelling, inspired by the music and culture of hip hop.
Mixtape will include a number of excerpts from her hit shows over the last 20 years as resident company at Sadler’s Wells, all to be reworked with a twist.
Shows will include Message In A Bottle with music by Sting; Into the Hoods – the first hip hop dance show to run in the West End; Some Like it Hip Hop; The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party; and others.
The foyers of Sadler’s Wells will also showcase the productions and artists that have created ZooNation in a special exhibition honouring the life of the late Teneisha Bonner.
Kate’s other work has included choreographing the stage show and film of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, and she choreographed for the Olympics and Paralympics Handover Ceremonies 2008 Beijing. She was awarded an MBE for services to dance in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2019.
Mixtape is co-directed by ZooNation Associates Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe and Bradley Charles, with musical direction by ZooNation Musical Director D.J. Walde. D.J. Walde is also creating a new piece of music for the introduction of Mixtape. The show design is by Ben Stones, with lighting by Charlie Morgan Jones.
Live vocalists and special guest performers will include Nafisah Baba, Tommy Franzen, Lukas McFarlane, Lizzie Gough, Sarah Richards and Issac ‘Turbo’ Baptiste.
Sir Alistair Spalding CBE, Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director and Chief Executive, said: “Sadler’s Wells has a longstanding relationship with Kate Prince as a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist and with her company, which is one of our resident companies, and we have been delighted to present her energetic and inventive work over the years. Sadler’s Wells is proud to be celebrating ZooNation’s amazing milestone anniversary with this special evening of dance, looking back on two decades of hit shows. Kate Prince and ZooNation have opened up the world of hip hop to our audiences, and I am sure they will continue to enjoy the work of this groundbreaking company for years to come.”
Kate Prince said, “Mixtape is a true celebration of not just ZooNation’s work over the past 20 years, but the people and artists we’ve had the joy of collaborating with. Everyone has brought something different, so our shows have always been an exploration of styles, stories and people. We’re so grateful and excited to be back on stage, and to be uniting company members, new and seasoned. It’s a celebration – not just for the company, but for our amazing audiences and supporters too.”
Co-director Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe said, “For two decades we’ve made it our mission to make theatre for all generations to access, enjoy and feel inspired by. It’s only right we celebrate the accomplishments of not just our company and artists, but of those who have supported our earliest and most recent work. This is a time of celebrating the diverse body of work, artists and audiences of ZooNation.”
Co-director Bradley Charles said, “At this landmark birthday celebration, we look at our achievements through a selection of work and pay tribute to all the creative artists who made it all possible. From the technical teams, artists, lighting, sound, administration and producers. We say thank you! For 20 years ZooNation have entertained crowds around the world. Bringing our creative storytelling and original writing to the stage. Along with well-known and original produced music to get audiences bouncing in their seats! It’s such an honour to be able to reimagine and relive all these highlights, and reunite nearly 40 artists on stage, it’s going to feel electric!.”
