In the Spirit of Diaghilev is a tribute to Les Ballets Russes founder Sergei Diaghilev [1872 - 1929], commissioned by Sadler's Wells, featuring the works of four ground-breaking choreographers - Wayne McGregor, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Russell Maliphant and Javier De Frutos.

Wayne McGregor: Dyad 1909

Inspired by Shackleton's Nimrod expedition to the South Pole in 1909, the year that Les Ballets Russes was founded, Wayne McGregor creates a brand new Ballet Blanc: Dyad 1909.

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui: Faun

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui examines the animalistic nature of human movement and the power of mythology in Faun. This brand new duet, created for two of his company dancers, takes an alternative look at the eponymous creature from Stéphane Mallermé's poem, Claude Débussy's music and Vaslav Nijinsky's choreography.

Russell Maliphant: AfterLight

Using Vaslav Nijinksy's geometric drawings and paintings as a starting point, Russell Maliphant will create a brand new work entitled AfterLight. With three dancers from the Russell Maliphant Company plus lighting and sound design from regular collaborators Michael Hulls and Andy Cowton, and designed by Es Devlin.

Javier De Frutos: Eternal Damnation to Sancho and Sanchez

Olivier award-winner Javier De Frutos's Eternal Damnation to Sancho and Sanchez is a cautionary fable inspired by Cocteau's scenarios and designs for Les Ballets Russes and set to Maurice Ravel's La Valse. De Frutos joins forces with theatre designer Katrina Lindsay and lighting designer Michael Hulls.