THE FOUR SEASONS To Be Performed Ar New English Ballet Theatre At Stag Theatre Sevenoaks

New English Ballet Theatre will perform a striking programme at The Stag Theatre on May 13th.

The evening, which is titled ‘The Four Seasons: A Celebration of Light and Motion', presents three pieces created by two of New English Ballet Theatre's Associate Choreographers and performed by NEBT's team of world class dancers.

The first half features two works by Royal Ballet First Artist and award-winning choreographer Valentino Zucchetti: ‘Orbital Motion', inspired by the planetary forces that govern our universe and set to American composer Philip Glass' visceral Violin Concerto No. 1, and ‘Into The Light' an intimate, beautifully danced trio set to Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs, a piece widely considered to be the late German composer's most profound work.

The second half of the evening features Jenna Lee's ‘The Four Seasons', a bold, stylish ballet set to the multi-garlanded British composer, Max Richter's dynamic re-working of Vivaldi's iconic score. Jenna's choreography evokes the cycle of nature through the human body with striking movement and evocative seasonal design.

“We always feel welcome at the Stag and we love its large stage and terrific sightlines for the audience,” says NEBT Founder and Artistic Director, Karen Pilkington Miksa, “and I'm very much looking forward to further our growing relationship with the venue. It's our mission to rekindle a love of live ballet performance and to create a life enhancing experience for Stag audiences and to connect with young dancers in every household.

“Vivaldi's iconic music always heralds the renewal that spring brings; Jenna Lee's exciting and modern choreography for her Four Seasons reflects the personality of each season in a joyous tribute to the rhythms of nature. Valentino's Orbital Motion augments this theme with its mystic reference to the rotation of the planets around the sun. Into the Light is a virtuoso showcase for our leading ballerina and reflects the celestial theme and yearning for joy.

“New English Ballet Theatre is rooted in a strong classical ballet foundation,” continues Karen, “as seen in our production of The Nutcracker, which will return to the Stag in November 2026. NEBT's work consistently reflects the lyrical language of ballet while engaging with cutting-edge new works, broadening the visual experience for our audiences.”

Karen's looking forward to her visit to Sevenoaks: “As a keen artist and sculptor, I'd like to visit one or two of Sevenoaks' contemporary art galleries such as DM Art in the town centre – I'm always interested in checking out the latest in art and design. And I love visiting some of Sevenoaks' wonderful independent shops and cafes. Although this is always cut short by the afternoon's preparations and rehearsals for the evening performances!"

DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL WORKS

ORBITAL MOTION / INTO THE LIGHT

Choreographer: Valentino Zucchetti
Music for Orbital Motion: Philip Glass
Music for Into the Light: Richard Strauss
Designs for Orbital Motion: Emma Bailey
Costumes for Into the Light: Valentino Zucchetti, Melissa Hamilton, Lisa James

Says Valentino:

“Orbital Motion was born from a choreographic experiment back in 2013 when I was tasked to create a piece that would work well in the round, as part of that year's Royal Ballet Draft works. In my early efforts to make a vocabulary that could be seen by the audience from all sides, I realised I was making many circular motions, almost mimicking the motion of the planets in space. I then expanded the piece and drew inspiration from general space themes like orbital motions, time dilation and contraction, stars colliding and the sun brightness.

“Accompanying the concept, Philip Glass's Violin Concerto seemed a perfect fit, with its many twists and turns and a continuous repetitive, hypnotic rhythm which makes for a perfect soundscape. This is the first time Orbital Motion is being revived 12 years after its last performance! Our cast of dancers have really grasped and embodied the ballet so well and made it their own. Stag audiences should expect a really dynamic and hypnotic piece to transport them in a colourful and exciting new world!”

THE FOUR SEASONS

Choreographer: Jenna Lee
Music: Max Richter's recomposition of Vivaldi's composition
Costume: April Dalton
Lighting: Andrew Ellis

Says Jenna:

“The Four Seasons was choreographed in 2017 for New English Ballet and is set to Max Richter's dynamic re-composition of Vivaldi's score. This year sees a strong cast of dancers bringing the ballet to life with precision and drive. I found the score a constant source of inspiration, shaping both the movement language and emotional tone of the work. Through shifting movement qualities, vivid lighting by Andrew Ellis, and evocative costumes by April Dalton, it's an abstract exploration of the changing seasons—each with its own distinct texture, energy, and atmosphere.”

Since Karen Pilkington-Miksa founded NEW ENGLISH BALLET THEATRE in 2011, the company has solidified its UK position as a popular, critically-acclaimed ballet company dedicated to producing programmes that represent today's versatility and significance of ballet.

New English Ballet Theatre is committed to discovering, developing and working with outstanding talent and to a uniquely honed holistic approach to ballet making. The company has been performing to increasing audiences in the UK and to international audiences in France, the USA, and, at the end of 2025, in the Bahamas with a dynamic new production of ‘The Nutcracker'. Dates in Germany follow later this year.