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NYDC/Botis Seva: Madhead; Young Associates: Together, Not the Same – review

Sadler’s Wells, London
Young hearts ran free in the National Young Dance Company’s thrilling Madhead, but too much was asked of four promising choreographers

End of term in the dance world is a time of celebration and liberation. As in schools up and down the country, dance institutions put on a show, announce their leavers and their joiners, the talent promoted, the old-timers on the way out. Now Sadler’s Wells seems to be offering a choreographic version of the process, with two programmes highlighting young talent.

Of the two, the annual performance of the National Youth Dance Company, choreographed by this year’s guest artistic director Botis Seva, gave most cause for jubilation. The company, made up of 28 dancers aged 15-24, plus 10 returning from previous editions of the scheme, made Madhead with Seva, who is himself only 28, over four intensive residencies, which take place in school holidays.

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