With a state-of-the-art theatre, dance studios, and a commitment to nurturing young talent, the venue is set to transform the capital’s dance landscape.
London’s cultural landscape took a major step forward as Mayor Sadiq Khan officially opened Sadler’s Wells East, the first cultural venue at East Bank, the city’s new cultural and educational district at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The state-of-the-art theatre, designed to transform the dance scene, is part of a £600 million investment aimed at fostering a lasting artistic and educational legacy from the 2012 Olympics.
The new venue, which features a 550-seat auditorium, six cutting-edge dance studios, and a public performance space, will serve as home to the Rose Choreographic School and the Academy Breakin’ Convention, a dedicated hip-hop theatre school for young performers aged 16 to 19.
Mayor Khan, joined by Sadler’s Wells executives Britannia Morton and Sir Alistair Spalding, hailed the opening as a “gamechanger for dance in the capital” and a major boost for London’s creative industries. The venue will not only provide opportunities for young and emerging performers but also attract leading dance productions from across the UK and beyond.
“Sadler’s Wells East will bring world-class performances to a brand-new stage while providing fantastic opportunities for young people in the heart of East London,” said Khan. “With many of the staff and performers living and working locally, it is already making a difference to the economy. This is a fantastic cultural legacy from the 2012 Olympics.”
A New Era for East Bank
Sadler’s Wells East is the latest addition to East Bank, a cultural hub bringing together major institutions, including the London College of Fashion (UAL), University College London (UCL), the BBC, and the V&A, all of which are establishing new facilities in the area. The project is expected to generate £1.5 billion for the local economy while creating new job opportunities and training schemes for young Londoners.
Since 2018, more than 1,500 young people have attended summer schools at East Bank, and the Shared Training and Employment Programme (STEP) has helped dozens of East Londoners secure entry-level roles in the creative industries.
“East Bank is fast becoming a hallmark of what the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic legacy really means,” said Tamsin Ace, Director of East Bank. “Sadler’s Wells East will be at the heart of this cultural powerhouse.”
A Grand Opening with ‘Our Mighty Groove’
The theatre opened with a performance of ‘Our Mighty Groove’, a vibrant production blending house, waacking, and vogue dance styles, choreographed by Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu. The show features a mix of professional dancers and young performers from East London, reflecting the venue’s commitment to community engagement and artistic innovation.
“Opening in Stratford is a privilege and a responsibility,” said Sir Alistair Spalding, Artistic Director of Sadler’s Wells. “We are committed to making a difference in this part of London, and ‘Our Mighty Groove’ is the perfect way to launch this new powerhouse of dance.”
With BBC Music Studios and V&A East set to follow, East Bank is rapidly establishing itself as a leading hub for arts, education, and innovation, ensuring that London’s cultural heartbeat continues to move east.
