We are excited to announce new dates for our Windrush themed ballet Island Movements!

This 30 minute ballet show tells the story of a Caribbean family whose parents came over on the Windrush. It explores the impact of this generation’s experiences on their families, communities and society. Beginning with a young Caribbean soldier in WW2 Britain, this moving tale follows him and his family through their life in the UK up to the current day.

Featuring original music by the groundbreaking youth music charity Kinetika Bloco, the story is driven by a pulsating mix of reggae, calypso and contemporary black British music.

The show was devised by Darren Panton, who was the first black British dancer to graduate from the Royal Ballet School and Patrick Williams, who danced at Alvin Ailey and the Paris Opera. Greta Mendez MBE will be choreographing.

Funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the show is coupled with a separate workshop for young children based on our children’s book, Onisere and the Ballet Queen.

We will tour libraries in England and NI in June, launching with a show at Northern Ballet on 8 June and culminating with two performances on Windrush Day at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Full schedule