"Like a Sergei Diaghilev de nos jours, Jamiel Devernay-Laurence puts London E14 on the dance map."
SEEN & HEARD INTERNATIONAL
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Founder & Artistic Director
Jamiel Devernay-Laurence
Ballet Nights presents uniquely compèred evenings of Classical Ballet, Neo-Classical and Contemporary dance, up close and without compromise at Lanterns Studio Theatre, London.
As the new taster platform for dance, our carefully curated programming includes Modern Masterpieces, Legacy Classics, Emerging Voices and New Discoveries, placing the artist at the centre of the work being performed and unveiling their individual stories for our audiences.
Ballet Nights has already seen World Premieres, UK premieres and even announced a Principal Dancer retirement, and we look forward to continuing to celebrate the artists with you, live on our stage.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ LondonTheatre1
THE IGNITION PLATFORM
An Evening with
Kennedy Junior Muntanga
Lanterns Studio Theatre, London 2023
Produced by JAMIEL LAURENCE CREATION
Choreographer Kennedy Junior Muntaga
Host Jamiel Devernay-Laurence
Stage & Technical Jamiel Devernay-Laurence
A ground-breaking launchpad for new and emerging choreographers with the aim of staging exciting new voices, producing dance into revolutionary spaces, and paving the way for young choreographers to get their work seen by a live audience.
“It's a mission that deserves encouragement and attention... a demonstration of strength and endurance as much as strength and poise."
Wharf Life Magazine
"The Nutcracker"
With a Welsh Twist
Cardiff Castle Spiegeltent Festival 2022
Produced by Cardiff Christmas Festival Ltd.
Choreographed & Directed by Jamiel Laurence
Lighting Design by Elanor Higgins
Costume by Rhiannon Matthews & Jacob Steed
Design by Jamiel Laurence, Kathryn Williams
Music by Duke Ellington & Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
"For anyone unused to dance, this is a perfect introduction to the ability to story tell without words." Thoughtful Theatre
A contemporary ballet version of the classic with a Welsh twist. This highly acclaimed full-length contemporary ballet of The Nutcracker is Wales' first reimagining of its kind, featuring a rich cast of recognizably Welsh characters, including Uncle Idris, Bopa Sheila & Bopa Linda, and The Mari Lwyd!
"Read-Only Memory"
Rubicon Dance Company, 2022
Choreographed by Jamiel Laurence
Design by Rhiannon Matthews
Composer Sonia Killmann
"In the far future, new technologies will allow us to experience our memories past from a new perspective and projected before us. “Read-Only Memory” explores how a dystopian society might find a use for this technology as a form of punishment – forcing those of us who do not conform into reliving their most painful memories."
"Nutcracker Bach"
Rubicon Dance Company 2022
Adapted & Choreographed by Jamiel Laurence
Music by Duke Ellington & Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Nutcracker Bach is Rubicon Dance Company’s unique Schools Tour offering, which hit the road in March 2022 and provided performances and workshops to over 700 pupils across 11 primary and secondary schools in Wales.
The highly acclaimed school experience featured 8 full-time company members performing an inspiring 20-minute adapted excerpt of Jamiel Laurence's full-length Welsh-based contemporary ballet “The Nutcracker.”
Executive Producer Jamiel Laurence
Assistant Producer Henry Dowden
"BALLET NIGHTS"
Lanterns Studio Theatre, 2021
BALLET NIGHTS presents uniquely compered evenings of Classical Ballet, Neo-classical & Contemporary Dance.
Launching in October 2021, BALLET NIGHTS brings together international main-stage choreographers, performers, and musicians from across the modern dance landscape and presents their work up close and without compromise - hosted by the Lanterns Studio Theatre and set in the heart of London’s Canary Wharf district.
With something on the programme for everyone, BALLET NIGHTS presents the highest quality of Ballet & Contemporary dance, providing a platform for established world-class acts alongside experimental new works from emerging talents.
"The Nutcracker"
Rubicon Dance Company 2021
Choreographed by Jamiel Laurence
Lighting Design by Jamiel Laurence
Costume by Rhiannon Matthews & Jacob Steed
Design by Jamiel Laurence, Kathryn Williams
Music by Duke Ellington & Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
"A First For Wales..." The Western Mail
A firm family favorite with those who attended the celebrated opening run in 2021, Jamiel Laurence uniquely Welsh full-length contemporary ballet of The Nutcracker - Wales' first reimagining of its kind - featuring a rich cast of recognizably Welsh characters, including Uncle Idris, Bopa Sheila & Bopa Linda and The Mari Lwyd!
Audiences are invited along for a magical ride through the William's Family Christmas. As we are taken into the dream world of our lead protagonist, Carys, her Uncle Idris will conjure up a battle, a snowstorm and his very own variety show, The Uncle Idris Show!
"WORKFORCE"
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
2021
Choreographed by Jamiel Laurence
Lighting Design by Simon Hayes
Costumes by Nicola Russell
Music by Kiasmos
WORKFORCE Workforce takes inspiration from a packed factory floor setting and the 9 to 5 working conditions that are now being challenged in this era of increasingly autonomously driven decentralised employment. Similarly, the piece brings to the stage those after-hours practices that have also been lost as a result of necessary social distancing laws, curfews and the closing of nightclubs. Created during COVID-Safe Conditions for the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's 3rd Year Graduates of the BA Modern Ballet Course.
"Marching On"
The SSE Hydro
Celtic Connections 2021
Choreographed by Jamiel Laurence
Danced By Katie Miller & Jamiel Laurence
"Marching On" was danced as part of the Farewell Concert for Celtic Connections 2021, performed live at Glasgow's SSE Hydro and recorded and streamed for TV/online
"We Sing, You Dance!"
Scottish Ballet 5 Wishes Campaign, 2020
Choreographed by Jamiel Laurence
Set & Costume by Scottish Ballet
Music by Every Voice Choir
In January 2019, we surprised the choir to reveal that their simple wish of ‘We Sing, You Dance’ had been chosen, and we invited them to Scottish Ballet HQ to help us create a unique joint performance. Scottish Ballet Soloist Jamiel Laurence choreographed a beautiful duet between Principal Bethany Kingsley-Garner and Soloist Evan Loudon, which we rehearsed with the 50-strong choir to their rendition of 'Only You' by British synth-pop band Yazoo. After the rehearsal, we gave them a tour of our studios, technical and wardrobe departments before sitting down to a well-deserved cup of tea together.
‘‘It is a powerful thing to unite people through such a celebratory performance. I am so pleased that Scottish Ballet has been able to make Every Voice Community Choir’s wish of singing and dancing together come true.’’
Susan Calman, champion of the third wish
"Wee Hansel & Gretel"
Scottish Ballet, 2019
Original Choreography by
Christopher Hampson, CEO & Artistic Director Scottish Ballet
Adapted & Choreographed by Jamiel Laurence
Set & Costume by Gary Harris
Music by Engelbert Humperdink
"A wee version of a big ballet..."
Join Hansel & Gretel as they go on an adventure deep into the woods… Along the way, you’ll meet a rather beguiling Witch and her mysterious raven, before arriving in an enchanted gingerbread house filled with dancing sweet treats and toys that come to life.
Young Edmund
Celtic Connections 2019
Choreographed by Jamiel Laurence
Costume by Jamiel Laurence
Music by Jarlath Henderson
A dark and twisted celtic tale...
Commissioned by Celtic Connections as part of their 2019 exploration into live dance acts, Young Edmund was performed by 10 dancers live alogside Jarlath Henderson and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra at BBC City Halls, Glasgow
"Whit's Fir Ye!"
The Re-Opening of Dumfries House, 2016
Choreographed by Jamiel Laurence
Costume by Hazel Blue
Music by Composers of The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Celebrating Scottish Folk Music, dancing and tradition, "Whit's Fir Ye" was created and performed originally for stage in 2016 and was then shortened and adapted for the Scottish Ballet 2017 Gala event at Cross Basket Castle. The work was also performed in 2019 at Dumfries House for HRH Prince Charles.
"Barbershop Duets"
Cottiers Dance Festival 2016
Choreographed by Jamiel Laurence
Costume by Scottish Ballet
Music by The Freddy Williams Four
Set to a series of Barbershop standards, the 6 dancers explore love, life, and relationships in this classical-based work en pointe.
"1 to 10"
Edinburgh Fringe 2015 &
Cottiers Dance Festival 2016
Choreographed by Jamiel Laurence
Costume by Guy Salim
Music by Jamiel Laurence
"1 to 10" takes the numbers 1 to 10 and uses them in a variety of contexts, provoking a series of audience reactions. The music for the work is created from these same numbers, spoken and recorded by the dancers, and then mixed down into 10 separate tracks.
