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Night of 100 Solos: A Centennial Event

Merce Cunningham Trust

,Barbican Theatre

On the night Merce Cunningham would have turned 100, the Barbican participates in a one-off global event to celebrate the most influential American-born choreographer of the 20th century.

Drawn from around the world, 75 dancers grace three stages to commemorate an artist (1919-2009) whose constant innovation and pioneering collaborations yielded an unparalleled body of dance, music and visual art. In programmes tailor-made for Los Angeles, London and New York, they perform 100 Cunningham solos in each venue, with bespoke sets and live music devised especially for the centennial.

Led artistically by former company members, including Daniel Squire in London, the evening features anthologies of solos spanning Cunningham’s deeply influential, 70-year career. Dancers include Siobhan Davies, Thomasin Gülgeç, Francesca Hayward, Mbulelo Ndabeni, Michael Nunn and Billy Trevitt. This exceptional centenary event honours his conceptual ambition, love of technology and, most significantly of all, his vibrant legacy. 

Tagged with: Theatre & dance Merce Cunningham Centennial Dance

Duration: 1 hour 30 mins, no interval
Age guidance: 10+
 

Presented by the Barbican

Co-produced by Merce Cunningham Trust with the Barbican, Brooklyn Academy of Music and Center for the Art of Performance (UCLA)
 

Creative team

Daniel Squire Staging
John King Music Director
Ken Tabachnick Executive Producer
Trevor Carlson Creative Producer

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Performers

Dancers taking part in London include: Luke Ahmet, Harry Alexander, Elly Braund, Siobhan Davies, Inés Depauw, Daphne Fernberger, Jonathan Goddard, Asha Gracia, Thomasin Gülgeç, Francesca Hayward, Hannah Kidd, Catherine LeGrand, Sophie Martin, Estela Merlos, Mbulelo Ndabeni, Michael Nunn, Rowan Parker, Elsa Raymond, Joseph Sissens, Beatriz Stix-Brunell, Toke Strandby, Asha Thomas, Billy Trevitt, Luc Verbitzky, and Benjamin Warbis.

Christian Wolff will work with musicians Mira Benjamin, John Lely, Anton Lukoszevieze, and Christian Marclay to provide the score. 

Watch Live Stream

Merce Cunningham

Live Stream: Watch 'Night of 100 Solos' at the Barbican

Join the one-off global event celebrating 100 years of Merce Cunningham featuring Siobhan Davies, Thomasin Gülgeç, Francesca Hayward, Mbulelo Ndabeni, Michael Nunn & Billy Trevitt. 

The livestream will be viewable from 7.45pm GMT on Tuesday 16 April. 

Merce Cunningham

Watch: Night of 100 Solos - New York

Join the global one-off event celebrating 100 years of Merce Cunningham with a special performance from BAM's Howard Gilman Opera House in New York.

The broadcast begins at 7.30pm (Eastern Daylight Time).

Merce Cunningham

Watch: Night of 100 Solos - Los Angeles

Join the global one-off event celebrating 100 years of Merce Cunningham with a special performance from CAP UCLA's Royce Hall in Los Angeles. 

The broadcast begins at 8pm (Pacific Daylight Time).

Reviews

‘No one else made dance that looked remotely like this‘
David Vaughan, Guardian
‘One of the most remarkable theatre artists of his day‘
Alastair Macaulay, New York Times

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Celebrating 100 years since the birth of one of the most influential American choreographers of the 20th century, we invite his contemporaries, collaborators and performers to share their memories and explore the legacy of Merce Cunningham.

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Listen: Richard Alston on Merce Cunningham

Choreographer Richard Alston reflects on the infuence of Merce Cunningham on his career and the Richard Alston Dance Company. 

Barbican Theatre