Skateboarding comes to Sadler’s Wells East with Mette Ingvartsen’s Skatepark

Sadler’s Wells East is set to host the UK premiere of Skatepark, a large-scale performance by Danish choreographer Mette Ingvartsen.

Running from 10–12 April 2025, the production merges the energy of skateboarding with contemporary dance, featuring professional dancers and skaters from the local East London community.

In Skatepark, Ingvartsen explores the fluidity, speed, and self-expression inherent in skateboarding. Inspired by its roots in 1950s California, where surfers took to the streets in response to low waves, the art form has since developed a distinct subculture. Now, skateboarding has gained mainstream recognition, becoming an Olympic sport in 2020 and set to be a mandatory inclusion in the 2028 Games.

As part of the production’s European tour, Ingvartsen hosted community workshops at Sadler’s Wells East, offering local skaters an opportunity to share their skills. From these sessions, she selected seven skaters aged 10 to 24 to join the cast, adding an authentic representation of East London’s skate culture to the performance.

Mette Ingvartsen has been at the forefront of experimental choreography since founding her company in 2003. Her works, often blending movement with visual art and technology, have been showcased across Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia. Skatepark, which premiered in 2023, is her latest exploration of movement in public spaces, bridging the gap between urban culture and contemporary performance.

The production features a cast including professional dancers and skaters such as Damien Delsaux, Aline Boas, and Mary Pop Wheels, alongside the newly recruited East London skaters. The creative team includes sound designers Anne van de Star and Peter Lenaerts, lighting designer Minna Tiikkainen, and a music lineup spanning Felix Kubin, Mord Records, and sonaBLAST! Records.

With Skatepark, Ingvartsen transforms the theatre into a dynamic space where choreography meets skate culture, challenging the boundaries of both art forms.

Tickets for the UK premiere are available now through Sadler’s Wells East.

Skatepark runs from 10-12 April 2025 at Sadler’s Wells East, London.

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Main photo: Mette Ingvartsen, Skatepark, Image Credit Pierre Gondard