In the autumn of 2025 Christopher Marney, Artistic Director of London City Ballet (LCB) will become Artist in Residence at Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York. Under the auspices of the Fall Curation Series, Marney will continue LCB’s mission of reviving rarely performed ballets, as it resurrects Jerome Robbins’ 1986 work Quiet City. Working in collaboration with original cast member and former New York City Ballet star Robert LaFosse, the work will be restaged using existing notes and rehearsal footage of Robbins at work in the studio 40 years ago. The work will be rehearsed in New York and then brought to London in November for performances at the Linbury Theatre, where the company will be a guest of the Royal Ballet and Opera. The dancers in the piece will be only the third cast to have performed the work and will include London CIty Ballet dancers Alejandro Virelles, Arthur Wille and Joseph Taylor.
Mikhail Baryshnikov commented, “This is an exciting project for all the dancers involved and for Baryshnikov Arts. We are thrilled to host London City Ballet while they revive Quiet City by my dear late friend Jerome Robbins.”
Christopher Marney said, “There could not be a better place to explore undiscovered works from prominent US choreographers than at the centre of New York’s dance scene. Mikhail Baryshnikov continues to shape the landscape for dance, providing a sanctuary for artists to develop and research their craft. With his rich history and knowledge of eminent 20th century choreographers, it seems in perfect alignment with the ballets I am keen to restore.”
Last month, London City Ballet won the Best Independent Company at the National Dance Awards, chosen by the Critics Circle, after only its first year of touring. In the company’s inaugural season after 30 years it was nominated by the UK Theatre Awards for ‘Achievement in Dance’ and DanceEurope’s Critics Choice for Best Company, New Name to Watch (Arthur Wille), Best Director (Christopher Marney) and Best Revival for Kenneth MacMillan’s Ballade.
In addition to the performances at the Linbury Theatre in November, London City Ballet is touring the UK and Europe with a mixed programme. Full tour details can be found here.
