From its humble origins as a mineral spring discovered in 1683 (with purportedly miraculous healing powers that could tackle anything from dropsy to virgin's fever), it quickly transformed into a hub of entertainment. Imagine Shakespearean dramas, vaudevillian spectacles and even sea battles staged in a giant water tank—all alongside the therapeutic sips of its famous well water.
Over the centuries, Sadler’s Wells evolved with the times, morphing from a notorious "nursery of debauchery" into a pioneering force in dance. Thanks to the visionary Lilian Baylis, who rescued and rebuilt the theatre in 1925, dance became a cornerstone of its identity. Baylis championed the belief that great art should be accessible to all, a legacy that still drives Sadler’s Wells today.
Fast forward to the present day, and Sadler’s Wells is not just a venue but a global powerhouse of dance innovation. Under the stewardship of Alistair Spalding since 2004, it has become a breeding ground for creativity, fostering collaborations that range from classical ballet to avant-garde contemporary dance. The theatre's influence spans from hosting the Royal Ballet's formative years to incubating modern icons like Akram Khan and Matthew Bourne’s groundbreaking "Swan Lake."
In 1998, Sadler’s Wells unveiled its current incarnation—a state-of-the-art facility designed to accommodate the grandest productions and the most intimate experiments alike. This includes the 1,500-seat main auditorium and the intimate Lilian Baylis Studio, where new voices in dance find their rhythm. Not content to rest on its laurels, Sadler’s Wells continues to push boundaries, with plans to open a new theatre in Stratford, East London, in 2024, cementing its role as a cultural cornerstone for generations to come.
Details
- Address:
- Rosebery Avenue
- EC1R 4TN
- Transport:
- Railway station: King's Cross St Pancras Bus numbers: Rosebery Avenue 19, 38, 341. Upper Street 4, 43, 56, 153. Pentonville Road 30, 205, 214, 394, 476