Empower in Motion: A Ballet Inclusive is described not only as a world premiere of the combination of “well-known classical repertoire and original contemporary styles of inclusive movement” but also as a “call to action”. With proceeds from this gala going towards Children Today, who celebrated their 30th Anniversary last night (7 February), Empower in Motion makes its passionate call to action, resoundingly heard.

Set in the iconic venue of Sadlers Wells, Children Today is immediately established as the heartbeat of the show. Disability campaigner and Children Today Patron, Grace Spence Green, hosts the gala and introduces a video showing a glimpse into the work of the charity, “providing specialised equipment” that can help “improve and enhance the lives of children and young people with disabilities”. Through the video, audiences are introduced to some of the young people whose lives have been changed by increased mobility from specialised equipment, forming the perfect frame to a night that celebrates the diversity, equality and empowerment of all movement.

Kicking off with an electric start, Hannah Rudd and Joseph Powell-Main (a differently abled dancer and gala ambassador) dominate the stage, and ooze with presence as they perform a reimagining of La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker), directed by Alexander Campbell and choreographed by Kristen McNally, set to the striking composition of Sophie Cotton.

A standout of Act One is Tight Textures and Unplugged by Stopgap Dance Company, a movement inclusive dance company whose mission statement is to “create an inclusive world where no one is limited by prejudice against Deaf, Disabled, or neurodivergent people”. Tight Textures is a tour-de-force ensemble piece that perfectly weaves together spoken word (delivered by Lily Norton) with bold and fresh choreography by Lucy Bennett in collaboration with a team of Deaf, Disabled, neurodivergent, and non-disabled artists. The spoken word strikes emotional chords as they powerfully declare “we are no longer interested in being invited to your table”, rather “we invite you to ours”. This fresh piece is as arresting, thought-provoking and inspirational as it is joyful and entertaining.

Next, the audience is utterly transfixed as Nadenh Poan (an extraordinary wheelchair dancer) takes to the stage in Unplugged. Paired with creative audio-description by Norton, we hear the unique soundtrack of “skin on alloy” (the sound of Poan dancing in perfect syncopation with his wheelchair). Poan’s performance and choreography forms an intimate piece that defies gravity and belief.

The headliners are international ballet superstars Maria Kochetkova and Daniil Simkin performing a world premiere of The Owl Falls. Choreographed by Sebastian Kloborg, The Owl Falls displays a level of stunning technical mastery that is exhilaratingly charged with drama.

Moving into Act Two, audiences are introduced to the work of All In! and Parable Dance Company through a truly inspiring video directed by Kate Church. Audiences see how these companies are sharing a powerful belief that ballet is not just exclusively for those with the typical “ballet body” but the joy and transformative power of ballet can and should be accessible to all. This message is brought to a tender culmination with the performance of dancers Grace Thompson and Zak Smith (both National Youth Ballet) performing a piece set to Prokofiev’s iconic Romeo & Juliet.

Other notable moments from Act Two include the majestic Pas de Deux of Sangeun Lee and Gareth Haw (superstars of the English National Ballet) in an extract from Giselle, a delectable treat for classical ballet lovers. Empower in Motion concludes the evening by striking an air of playful defiance and optimism represented through Daniil Simkin and Shiori Kase’s energised performance of a section from Le Corsaire.

But the showstopper of the night must be the jaw-dropping world premiere of Joseph Powell-Main’s Passionately Defiant. Ingeniously underscored by The Rolling Stones’ ‘Paint It Black’ (in an arrangement by The London Symphony Orchestra), this number explores Powell-Main’s personal “journey back to dance” after sustaining injuries that led him to acquire a disability. With dazzling choreography (also by Powell-Main), this is a stunning must-see for anyone who has ever been told they cannot do something.

Brimming with varied and contrasting dance numbers, this gala night is unified by the exceptional strength and courage that is evident within each piece of movement. Empower in Motion, just like Children Today, focuses on “what is possible” and is a deeply emotive, inspired and dynamic triumph that champions diversity in dance.

You can donate to support the work of Children Today here.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Nancy Brie