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English National Ballet set to move to new home in east London English National Ballet set to move to new home in east London
(35 minutes later)
For some of its more well-heeled audience members the prospect of moving from Kensington or Fulham to Canning Town would not be something to relish. But that is what the English National Ballet is about to do – and the company hopes it will provide a new lease of life. For some of its more well-heeled audience members, the prospect of moving from Kensington or Fulham to Canning Town in East London would not be something to relish. But that is what the English National Ballet is about to do – and the company hopes it will provide a new lease of life.
Both the ENB and its associated training facility, the English National Ballet School, are to move to a new, joint home in the formerly dockland-dominated area of east London, the company has announced. Both the ENB and its associated training facility, the English National Ballet School, are to move to a joint home in the former dockland-dominated area of the capital, the company has announced.
They will move from their two current cramped bases into a purpose-built set of offices, studios and rehearsal spaces, being built within London City Island, a new development under construction in Canning Town. They will move from their two current cramped bases into a purpose-built set of offices, studios and rehearsal spaces, being built within London City Island, a development under construction in Canning Town.
The aim was to “create a new space that allows us to produce and rehearse amazing work”, said the ENB’s artistic director, Tamara Rojo, adding that the facilities could also be used by other organisations. She said: “I want the space to echo to the sound of creative Britain.” The aim is to “create a new space that allows us to produce and rehearse amazing work”, said the ENB’s artistic director, Tamara Rojo, adding that the facilities could also be used by other organisations. She said: “I want the space to echo to the sound of creative Britain.”
The ENB is a touring company, with no permanent performance venue of its own. Its base is a 19th-century building in a mews street in Kensington, central London, originally designed as student housing, with offices spaced over several floors and just two rehearsal studios. The English National Ballet School, from which a third of the ENB’s current dancers graduated, is located in a similarly cramped, and listed, building in Fulham, about a mile to the south. ENB’s move to the East End is a reflection of ENB’s wider ambitions under Rojo, who took over in 2012 after a glittering career at the Royal Ballet.
The new facility, which the ENB hopes will open in autumn 2018, will feature a 600 sq metre theatre-sized space, eight teaching and rehearsal studios, training and rehabilitation facilities, and space allowing public access to the company’s work. The Spanish ballerina has quickly established herself as one of the UK’s most impressive arts leaders, shaking up what was a struggling company on the verge of losing its public funding. She has taken bold risks with the repertoire and delighted many people when she announced a programme of all-female choreography for the 2015-16 season.
Canning Town, in the borough of Newham, remains one of the most deprived parts of the country. However, amid London’s ongoing property boom it is experiencing renewed construction, most notably at London City Island. The ENB is a touring company, with no permanent performance venue of its own. Its base is a 19th-century building in a mews in Kensington, central London, originally designed as student housing, with offices spaced over several floors and just two rehearsal studios. The English National Ballet School, from which a third of the ENB’s current dancers graduated, is located in a similarly cramped, and listed, building in Fulham, about a mile to the south.
The new facility, which the ENB hopes will open in autumn 2018, will feature a 600 sq m theatre-sized space, eight teaching and rehearsal studios, training and rehabilitation facilities, and space allowing public access to the company’s work.
Canning Town, in the borough of Newham, remains one of the most deprived parts of the country. However, amid London’s ongoing property boom, it is experiencing renewed construction, most notably at London City Island.
Built by construction giant Ballymore, the 12-acre site will eventually contain about 1,700 apartments – two-bed units are currently selling for around £700,000 – as well as office and retail space. Ballymore is giving the ENB the shell of the building. The ballet company and its school aim to raise the funds to fit it out.Built by construction giant Ballymore, the 12-acre site will eventually contain about 1,700 apartments – two-bed units are currently selling for around £700,000 – as well as office and retail space. Ballymore is giving the ENB the shell of the building. The ballet company and its school aim to raise the funds to fit it out.
The ENB’s move emphasises two ongoing trends within London: first the breakneck speed of gentrification amid even previously unfashionable central districts; and also a gradual but definite eastward shift for the city’s artistic scene. The ENB’s move emphasises two ongoing trends within London: first the breakneck speed of gentrification amid even previously unfashionable central districts; and second, a gradual but definite eastward shift for the city’s artistic scene.
The ballet group’s new home is near the Trinity Buoy Wharf arts centre, while many galleries have sprung up both in places such as Shoreditch and to the south-east in cheaper districts such as Deptford.The ballet group’s new home is near the Trinity Buoy Wharf arts centre, while many galleries have sprung up both in places such as Shoreditch and to the south-east in cheaper districts such as Deptford.
“The move will also open up new opportunities for local collaborations and further increase east London’s growing status as an important cultural centre,” said Boris Johnson, London’s mayor, calling the ENB’s decision “an exciting development for one of the finest dance companies and schools in the world”.“The move will also open up new opportunities for local collaborations and further increase east London’s growing status as an important cultural centre,” said Boris Johnson, London’s mayor, calling the ENB’s decision “an exciting development for one of the finest dance companies and schools in the world”.
The ENB grew out of the Festival Ballet company, formed in 1950, with the school founded in 1988. They announced their plan to find a joint home last July.The ENB grew out of the Festival Ballet company, formed in 1950, with the school founded in 1988. They announced their plan to find a joint home last July.