Sadler’s Wells have announced the full line-up of their special one-off Global Gala fundraising event, celebrating the UK’s leading dance house and its international dance community.

The gala will celebrate the joy and beauty of dance, whilst raising funds for the venue following the longest period of closure in its 300-year history.

Supported by Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta, world leading dancers, choreographers and breakthrough talent have been cited to appear including Carlos Acosta, Nafisah Baba, William Forsythe, Sylvie Guillem, Akram Khan, Jason Kittelberger, Magical Bones, Lukas McFarlane, Natalia Osipova, Alesandra Seutin, Hofesh Shechter, and James Whiteside, alongside companies including Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, Russell Maliphant with National Youth Dance Company, and Soweto Skeleton Movers.

The evening also features appearances and messages of support from Sadler's Wells ambassadors and friends including acclaimed sculptor Antony Gormley, broadcaster Brenda Emmanus, actor Ophelia Lovibond, composer and saxophonist Soweto Kinch, award-winning actor and director Fiona Shaw, and 17-time Grammy Award-winning artist, Sting. 

Performances to be featured include a specially commissioned performance of the duet, Fields Of Gold, from Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Kate Prince’s Message In A Bottle, performed by two of the original company, Nafisah Baba and Lukas McFarlane. The filming of Fields Of Gold was made possible by support from Barclays.

The programme also features Once With, a short new work choreographed especially for the Global Gala by internationally acclaimed Jason Kittelberger. This new duet will be danced by Jason Kittelberger and one of the world’s greatest ballerinas and Royal Ballet principal, Natalia Osipova to Jean Sibelius’s 13 Pieces for Piano, Op.76: No.2 - Etude arranged for cello and classical guitar. 

Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Sadler’s Wells Alistair Spalding said: “2020 has been a challenging year to say the least. In normal circumstances, Sadler's Wells welcomes over half a million people to our spaces each year, and our artists and audiences are what keep our world turning. For most of 2020, that hasn't been possible. 

“Nonetheless, we remain committed to our mission and continue to strive to make and share dance that inspires us all in new and innovative ways. We wanted to find a moment to come together to celebrate the good things that have been able to happen this year, and the creativity that has been possible, while at the same time, generating support that will help Sadler's Wells fully reopen in 2021. At this time, I think it's more important than ever that we find ways to celebrate and enjoy dance, and we hope that many of you will join us on the 5 December to do just that.”

The hour-long event will be available to watch for free online via Sadler’s Wells Youtube channel, with opportunities to donate, on Saturday 5 December at 7.30pm GMT.

For more information, please click here.