Sadlers Wells in the Valleys, the development of a New Theatre Scene in Wales - Hip Hop Theatre

"Great art should belong to everybody".
Sadler's Wells History: "In 1683 Richard Sadler built a music house, by the beginning of the 18th century, visitors to Sadler’s Wells could see entertainments that included jugglers, tumblers, ropedancers, ballad singers, wrestlers, fighters, dancing dogs and even a singing duck.
In 1765 Thomas Rosoman had the theatre rebuilt for the first time so that it could mount high-calibre opera productions. However, it wasn’t long before the beer brewed from the spring waters became the primary attraction."
The Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy was built 209 years later began its life as a working men's library and institute. The workers of the Park and the Dare Collieries funded the building by a donating a penny from each pound of their wages. Similarly to Sadlers Wells featured a bar it was a place where the miners could meet and socialise and engage with literature.

Since 1898, Lilian Baylis had been presenting drama and opera at the Old Vic at popular prices. Motivated by a profound belief that great art should belong to everybody, in 1925 she began fundraising to rebuild Sadler’s Wells so that the people of north London could enjoy the same opportunities as those in the south.
Then Baylis met Ninette de Valois, a striking young Irish woman who deeply impressed her. After their interview, Baylis’s secretary, recorded her saying: “Miss de Valois is going to run her school with the Vic and when we have Sadler’s Wells she’ll run a wholetime ballet company for us.” A theatre opened 1931, managed by women and focused on dance.
The Park and Dare have the people at its heart, the theatre is used by community and armature groups, touring companies and it is also now home to companies of professional Rhondda and Wales based theatre makers who also believe that "GREAT ART IS FOR EVERYONE".

In 2003, Jonzi D had the dream of creating a festival to bring together the best hip hop dance theatre performers from around the world on London's doorstep. In 2004 Sadler's Wells helped make that dream a reality as Breakin' Convention', the international festival of hip hop dance theatre, made its debut on the 15th May 2004.
Breakin' Convention now tour the world showcasing the best in Hip Hop Theatre and offering training and advise. 
Artist Associate Jonzi D and Breakin' Conventions Ivan Blackstock are coming to the Park and Dare to work with the emerging Hip Hop Theatre scene in Wales.

Bringing two theatres together that were built for the people to socialise and discuss culture. Come join in a creative conversation and have a drink with us. March 22nd 7pm.

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