The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returned to London with a program featuring nine works spread over two evenings, showcasing both new choreography and the company’s established repertoire. Founded in the 1950s to preserve the African American cultural experience, the New York-based troupe has reached audiences worldwide, performing in 71 countries to more than 25 million people.

The first program centered on recent creations, opening with Medhi Walerski’s Blink of an Eye. Performed by eight dancers against a soundtrack of Bach’s violin sonatas and partita, recorded by Itzhak Perlman, the piece explored themes of transformation and sudden change. The choreography combined balletic grace with a muscular, precise style, particularly highlighting the male dancers’ strength and coordination.

Jamar Roberts’ Song of the Anchorite, a solo created last year and delivered with intensity by Yannick Lebrun, depicted the fervor of faith. Another standout was Lar Lubovitch’s Many Angels (2024), a five-dancer work set against imagery of clouds and accompanied by the Adagietto movement from Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. This piece offered a serene and uplifting exploration of dance itself.

Judith Jamison’s A Case of You, now in a new production despite being two decades old, featured Diana Krall performing Joni Mitchell’s song. The choreography, executed by Caroline T Darcy and Christopher Taylor, portrayed the delicate balance of intimacy and complexity in a long-term relationship.

The second evening focused on Ailey’s artistic legacy, with a highlight being an excerpt from Night Creature (1974). This jazz ballet, set to Duke Ellington’s music and featuring fourteen dancers, vividly captured the exuberance and social interplay of glamorous party scenes. The choreography combined style and emotional depth, leaving audiences eager to see the entire work.

Both programs concluded with Revelations (1960), Ailey’s most celebrated and frequently performed piece. Rooted in his Southern Baptist upbringing in 1930s Texas, the work draws on traditional spirituals and gospel music to depict the struggles and faith of Black Americans. The performances were noted for their emotional power and technical brilliance, particularly the male trio dancing to “Sinner Man” performed by Sebastian Garcia, Isaiah Day, and Patrick Coker.

The company’s London engagement, which concludes tomorrow, reaffirms Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s enduring influence on modern dance and its commitment to conveying compelling stories through movement.