There is something rather special about celebrating 40 years of creativity, particularly when that creativity has helped shape the cultural landscape of Wales. For four decades, Newport-based Ballet Cymru has been nurturing talent, challenging expectations and bringing the art of dance to audiences across the country. Its 40th anniversary celebrations offered a welcome opportunity to reflect on that legacy while looking ahead to what comes next.
Founded in 1986, Ballet Cymru has grown from a small local ensemble into one of Wales' leading dance companies. Its anniversary was not simply a celebration of longevity, but a recognition of the many dancers, choreographers and community participants who have contributed to its journey.
The performances at The Riverfront in Newport captured exactly why this milestone deserves celebrating. Bringing together established creative voices and emerging talent, the programme demonstrated the breadth, ambition and continuing evolution of Welsh dance.
image credit: Sian Trenber
One of the highlights was Woven, featuring music taken from Catrin Finah's Celtic-themed album Double You, performed live on stage by harpist Catrin Finch and violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain. The combination of live music and dance created an exciting meeting of artistic disciplines, offering a celebration of Welsh musical heritage through movement and performance.
The triple bill also featured Sensible Co-Existence, a new work by guest choreographer Marcus J Willis, Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre. Its inclusion brought another creative perspective to the programme, demonstrating the value of collaboration and the exchange of ideas between artists and companies.
Completing the programme was ADFYW, choreographed by Osian Meilir and performed by National Youth Dance Wales. Its presence felt particularly fitting within an anniversary celebration. Looking back at 40 years of achievement is important, but so is recognising the next generation of dancers who will help shape the future of the art form.
image credit: Kirsten Mcternan
What stood out across the programme was the sheer depth of talent within Welsh dance. Bringing together live musicians, established choreographers and emerging performers, the evening offered a reminder that dance in Wales is not standing still. It is developing, experimenting and creating opportunities for new voices to be heard.
There is also something particularly meaningful about Ballet Cymru's continued connection to Newport and its wider community. Growing from a local ensemble into a nationally recognised company is no small achievement, particularly within an arts sector where sustaining creative organisations and nurturing talent requires considerable commitment.
Forty years is an extraordinary milestone, and Ballet Cymru deserves enormous credit for the work that has brought it here. But perhaps the most exciting thing about this celebration was the sense that this is not a company looking backwards. The programme offered a glimpse of what Welsh dance can continue to become.
Four decades of movement, creativity and community have brought Ballet Cymru to this moment. If these anniversary performances are anything to go by, the next 40 years are something to look forward to.
