Sleeping Beauty Gala

Claire Lloyd, New Adventures Emerging Artist Apprentice Perreira de Jesus Franque, Enrique Ngbokota and their teamArchie mentor Mel Bowker. Photo courtesy Ali Kittermaster @blushphotographykent

We were so privileged to celebrate the talents of 2 young dancers, Perreira de Jesus Franque and Enrique Ngbokota, at Sadler’s Wells on Tuesday evening. Enrique and Perry are both supported by Sir Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and teamArchie through Emerging Artist Apprenticeships. Sir Matthew Bourne, speaking at the Hawksmoor reception before the show, said of our collaboration “we have a shared passion for talent development in young people, talented young people”.

Perry, currently on his apprenticeship, was powerful and menacing as one of the wicked fairy Carabosse’s henchmen and Enrique, who won the hearts of audiences last year in the role of Cupid in Nutcracker!, enchanted with the antics of the good fairy Tantrum. Enrique is now a full member of the New Adventures Company and we hope to see them both dancing in other productions later this year. In the meantime this spellbinding production of Sleeping Beauty is on tour around the country until April so do get along to see it if you get the chance.

We are so grateful to New Adventures for their support of these 2 young people and for giving teamArchie and it’s supporters a glimpse into both the hardworking lives of these emerging stars, and the passion which goes into creating stunning performances. Perry and Enrique were busy with costume and make up so could not be with us for the pre-show reception but New Adventures though kindly recorded this video for us.

It was wonderful to have them, even virtually, in the room with teamArchie’s wonderful supporters and our generous sponsor Hawksmoor Investment Management. Enjoy!