Entertainment

New dance production set to music of Sting to premiere in London

Message In A Bottle will feature some of his biggest hits.
Message In A Bottle will feature some of his biggest hits.

A new dance production set to the music of Sting is to receive its world premiere in London.

Message In A Bottle will feature songs including Every Breath You Take, Roxanne, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, Walking On The Moon, Englishman In New York, Shape Of My Heart and Fields Of Gold.

It will premiere at Sadler’s Wells’ West End theatre, The Peacock, on February 6 2020 before embarking on a UK and international tour.

The show, choreographed by Sadler’s Wells associate artist Kate Prince, is described as “highly original lyrical hip hop dance and breathtaking music” combined to tell “an uplifting story of humanity and hope”.

It will show a village alive with joyous celebrations that suddenly comes under siege, forcing three parted siblings to step out on their own extraordinary adventures.

The cast will feature dancers from ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company and marks the first collaboration on a show between the theatre and Universal Music UK.

Sting, who first found fame as the frontman of band The Police, said: “It’s an intriguing idea to align my songs and music with the work of a successful and highly esteemed choreographer of Kate’s standing.

Queen Elizabeth II 92nd birthday
Sting performing at the Royal Albert Hall (David Mirzoeff/PA)

“I witnessed one of the first workshops and was very excited by the potential. It’s always interesting when someone from another field offers a fresh and unexpected perspective on your work and I’m so looking forward to seeing the piece.”

Prince said: “I’ve been a fan of Sting and The Police all my life and have seen him play live four times.

“As a choreographer, when I listen to any music, I am always inspired to create dance, and Sting’s music, which has been playing in my headphones for over 30 years, kept bringing me to the same thought – ‘I want to choreograph to this’.

“As a body of work it is a choreographer’s dream. I mentioned the idea in passing to Alistair Spalding (artistic director of Sadler’s Wells), who has been supporting my career and ZooNation for 15 years.

“Pretty soon I found myself nervously entering the lobby of a swanky London hotel to pitch the idea to Sting himself. Much to my complete surprise, but complete delight, it is actually happening!

“All of my work has a narrative. I love stories, and you can expect this to be no different. Sting’s lyrics draw on so many themes, from political to the tragic, from death and heartache to love and hope.”

Tickets for Message In A Bottle are on public sale from February 25 with priority booking opening on February 18.

It will run at The Peacock from February 6 to March 21 2020, with press night on February 18.