Singers announced for new McGregor

Posted on March 12, 2012

Boy George, Alison Mosshart of The Kills, Jonny Pierce of The Drums, Hero Fisher and rappers Wale and Black Cobain will join The Royal Ballet onstage in Wayne McGregor’s new work, Carbon Life.

The new ballet, which has its premiere on April 5, is set to a cycle of nine love songs by Mark Ronson (pictured) and Andrew Wyatt, orchestrated by singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. Wale will perform on opening night, with his protégé Black Cobain taking his place for the remaining five performances. Andrew Wyatt will perform in place of Jonny Pierce on April 23. The ballet’s designs are by British fashion designer Gareth Pugh.

Carbon Life will be part of a triple bill, alongside Liam Scarlett’s new work, which is inspired by Walter Sickert’s Camden paintings, and Christopher Wheeldon’s 2001 ballet Polyphonia.

For dates and tickets, see www.roh.org.uk/newtriple

Zoe Anderson

Zoë was born in Edinburgh, and saw her first dance performances at the Festival there. She is the dance critic of The Independent, and has also written for The Independent on Sunday, The Scotsman and Dancing Times. In 2002, she received her doctorate from the University of York for a thesis on “Nationhood and epic romance: Ariosto, Sidney, Spenser”. She is the author of The Royal Ballet: 75 Years and The Ballet Lover’s Companion.