Internationally acclaimed all-male dance company BalletBoyz will bring to life their Rose d’Or award-winning film and sell-out stage production of Young Men in a new hybrid adaptation of live dance and film at Wilton’s Music Hall from Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 November. In this new production, the company will perform sections from the original stage version against the backdrop of their debut feature film, choreographed by award-winning Iván Pérez and featuring a live version of the score by cult singer songwriter Keaton Henson.
Young Men chronicles the experiences of young soldiers sent to fight in The Great War in a deeply moving portrayal of the desolation of warfare. Originally conceived for stage and premiering at London’s Sadler’s Wells in January 2015, it was subsequently adapted for screen in a commission by the BBC and saw BalletBoyz become the first ever dance company to present a full-length feature film.
Artistic Directors Michael Nunn OBE and William Trevitt OBE continue the company’s reputation for innovative use of film in Young Men, adapting Iván Pérez’ evocative stage and film choreography and Keaton Henson’s haunting score to interweave live dance, music and film in their debut performance at Wilton’s Music Hall. The production also features in the final season of 14-18 NOW, a major cultural programme taking place across the UK to mark the centenary of the Armistice.
Michael Nunn and William Trevitt said: “Young Men is a very special project to us, so we’re thrilled to be able to reunite film and performance in such an incredible venue, especially at such a significant time.”
Young Men is co-commissioned by BalletBoyz and 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary, with support from the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund and from the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport.
