Three Bold British Voices in Dance
Echoing its namesake’s celebration of innovation and creativity, 'Cool Britannia' offers a dynamic exploration of British dance through provocative new voices:
- Chroma by Sir Wayne McGregor: This groundbreaking ballet is “a shock to the system” merging cutting-edge choreography with a rhythmic complexity rock-inspired score by Joby Talbot and The White Stripes’ Jack White III, for a vibrant, visceral experience.
- Within the Golden Hour by Christopher Wheeldon: A visually atmospheric ballet that blends elegant choreography with a luminous score, offering a captivating journey through light, color, and sensory richness, now elevated by a gorgeous new vision for the costumes from EVP + Creative Director of Gap Inc., Zac Posen.
- Dust by Akram Khan: A one-act ballet offers a dramatic exploration of the human experience amidst the haunting backdrop of post-World War I. This is a North American premiere.
WHO IT'S FOR: Want to introduce your bestie to SF Ballet? This program is it. The perfect collection showcasing wide-ranging style, depth, and dynamics that pushes the boundaries of artistic expression. Ideal for history buffs, festies keeping tabs on this year's Coachella line-up, and romantics who love to linger on a good sunset.
Experience a bit of London
Enjoy lively décor as soon as you walk into the Opera House. Take photos with your friends with iconic British landmarks. Stay for top British hits performed by the band Jane Blonde and the Goldfingers after evening performances only.
Jasmine Jimison and Aaron Robison representing Cool Britannia // © San Francisco Ballet, photo by RJ Muna
Chroma
CONCEPT, DIRECTION, AND CHOREOGRAPHY
Sir Wayne McGregor
MUSIC
Joby Talbot
Jack White III
Within the Golden Hour
CHOREOGRAPHER
Christopher Wheeldon
COMPOSERS
Ezio Bosso
Antonio Vivaldi
Dust
NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
CHOREOGRAPHER
Akram Khan
COMPOSER
Jocelyn Pook
RUNTIME
Chroma – 27 min
Intermission – 15 min
Within the Golden Hour – 36 min
Intermission – 20 min
Dust – 26 min
Total runtime: 2 hours, 4 minutes
Casting, times, and program subject to change
One Dancer's Reflection on 25 Years of Wheeldon's Visionary Collaborations
Celebrating Christopher Wheeldon’s impact on SF Ballet
One Dancer's Reflection on 25 Years of Wheeldon's Visionary Collaborations
One Dancer's Reflection on 25 Years of Wheeldon's Visionary Collaborations
Zac Posen’s Vision for Wheeldon’s Iconic Work
Zac Posen’s Vision for Wheeldon’s Iconic Work
A Visionary Collaboration
A Visionary Collaboration
VIEW THE 24/25 SEASON
Chroma
Concept, Direction, and Choreography: Sir Wayne McGregor
Music: Joby Talbot and Jack White III
Arranged by: Joby Talbot
Orchestrated by: Christopher Austin by arrangement with Chester Music
Set Design: John Pawson
Costume Design: Moritz Junge
Lighting Design: Lucy Carter
Staged by: Antoine Vereecken
World Premiere: November 17, 2006–The Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House; London, England
SF Ballet Premiere: April 7, 2011—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
Within the Golden Hour
Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon
Composers: Ezio Bosso and Antonio Vivaldi
Costume Design: EVP + Creative Director of Gap Inc., Zac Posen
Lighting Design: Jim French
World Premiere: April 22, 2008—San Francisco Ballet, War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California
The 2008 world premiere of Within the Golden Hour was made possible by San Francisco Ballet 75th Anniversary Sponsor the Stephen and Margaret Gill Family Foundation.