Dorrance blends tap with street dance at Sadler’s
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- Michelle Dorrance performed at Sadler’s Wells last month with ballet star Tiler Peck, emphasizing a collaborative, community‑focused approach.
- Ephrat Asherie co‑created The Center Will Not Hold with Dorrance, bringing B‑girl choreography to the production.
- Charles Riley (Lil Buck) appeared in the cast, known for Memphis Jookin’ and a viral duet with Yo‑Yo Ma to Saint‑Saëns’ The Swan.
- Caleb Lawrence Jackson (22) contributed tap and Chicago footwork, described as fast‑fast‑forward and infected with the dancing plague.
- Tomoe Beasty Carr added hip‑hop, house, and waacking, moving like a bolt of mercurial lightning.
- John Angeles provided live percussion with electric drum pads, adding rhythmic texture to the performance.
- Sadler’s Wells presented the show on a shadowy stage with a simmering score, creating a low‑key atmosphere that highlights subtlety over flash.
Why it matters: By centering Black street and club styles alongside tap, the show expands audience exposure to under‑represented dance traditions and gives emerging artists a high‑profile platform, while shifting the narrative from solo virtuosity to collective cultural dialogue and challenging the hierarchy that has long privileged solo tap stars in major UK venues.
