Sadler’s Wells, Pina Bausch Foundation and École des Sables bring The Rite of Spring, Pina Bausch’s landmark production, back to the theatre where the original ballet had its first performance over one hundred years ago, Paris’ Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, from Wednesday 24 September – Saturday 28 September 2025, ahead of its final performance at the Batiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday 7 October 2025. This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of Pina Bausch’s The Rite of Spring.
In 1913, Igor Stravinsky composed The Rite of Spring especially for the summer ballet season at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées – the production, with original choreography by Vaslav Nijinsky, premiered to much scandal on 29 May 1913 where it famously caused a riot amongst its audience. In this pioneering work, a ‘chosen one’ is sacrificed to change the season from winter to spring.
In 1975, Pina Bausch reimagined The Rite of Spring, setting the ballet on a striking earth-covered stage. In 2020, driven by a vision for cultural exchange, Sadler’s Wells, the Pina Bausch Foundation, and Senegal’s École des Sables—the international hub for traditional and contemporary African dance—collaborated to breathe new life into Bausch’s iconic work. They launched an open casting call for dancers with permanent residency in African countries, resulting in a remarkable ensemble of performers from 14 African nations. This vibrant company brings fresh energy and diverse perspectives to Bausch’s groundbreaking choreography.
Following sell-out runs and international acclaim throughout its world tour over the past five years, this special production of The Rite of Spring returns to where it all began at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, performed alongside the live orchestra Les Siècles conducted by Antonello Manacorda, before one final performance at the Batiment des Forces Motrices alongside the L’Orchestre des Pays de Savoie conducted by Raphaël Merlin. The Rite of Spring performances in Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris will be accompanied by Joséphine, a production by Sarfati International Art, choreographed by Germaine Acogny and Alessandra Seutin, and performed by Germaine Acogny.
Salomon Bausch, Founder and Board of Directors of the Pina Bausch Foundation, said:“This production is particularly close to my heart. For the first time, we have brought together an ensemble especially for this piece. With their diverse dance backgrounds – from traditional and contemporary African dances to urban dance and ballet – the dancers enrich the piece with their distinctive personalities and skills, without changing Pina’s choreography from 1975. To be invited to the place where Stravinsky’s music had its legendary premiere in 1913 at the end of our world tour is something I see as a recognition of this unique production, which will occupy a special place in the history of this work.”
Germaine Acogny, Founder of École des Sables, said: “For a long time, I have had a connection with Pina and her seminal work The Rite of Spring. When I first saw the piece danced by Paris Opera Ballet, I was highly impressed with the way the dancers performed the choreography so deeply rooted in the earth, despite their classical training. It was then that I thought such a dance would be very well received by an African audience due to the closeness of the theme and African spiritual beliefs. I recognised my own culture within it.”
To mark these final performances of The Rite of Spring and the fiftieth anniversary of Pina Bausch’s production, a new film of the production, recorded at Sadler’s Wells in November 2024, will be available to stream for free on Sadler’s Wells’ Digital Stage from this autumn, before being hosted on the Pina Bausch Foundation’s website. The film will be available to stream via Digital Stage – Sadler’s Wells with dates to be announced.
Tickets are on sale now for the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées performances. Book here.
