Yorke Dance Project performs Sea of Troubles as part of Kenneth MacMillan: a National Celebration, a festival bringing together six leading British dance companies on the Royal Opera House stages to celebrate MacMillan’s extraordinary legacy. The company performs alongside Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Northern Ballet, the Royal Ballet and Scottish Ballet in marking the 25th anniversary of MacMillan’s death.

Kenneth MacMillan made Sea of Troubles in 1988 for Dance Advance, a dance ensemble composed of former members of the Royal Ballet.  He intended it as a gift to the dancers, crafting an intimate work for just six performers. The score—music by the 20th-century masters Webern and Martinu—will be performed live.

I have taken as a starting point the effect of the death of Hamlet’s father without a literal telling of the play. With the appearance of his father’s ghost, and Hamlet’s realization of the need for revenge, his tormented world becomes a nightmare.

Kenneth MacMillan on Sea of Troubles

Yorke Dance Project has won acclaim as a dynamic, contemporary ballet company committed to presenting new work alongside the choreography of past masters.  The company’s revival of Sea of Troubles was created in collaboration with the original cast and in full consultation with Lady Deborah MacMillan.

Programme Credits

Choreography by Kenneth MacMillan

Music by Anton Von Webern Four Pieces for Violin and Piano, Opus No.7 Bohuslav Martinu Nocturne No.3 for Cello and Piano, Piano Trio No.3, Movements 1 and 2, Bergerette No.3, Nocturne No.2 for Cello and Piano Lighting Reconstruction by Adrian Plaut
Design by Deborah MacMillan
Reconstruction by Jane Elliott
(original Benesh Notator of the choreography)
Performance Coach Susie Crow

Performed by Kieran Stoneley, Edd Mitton, Benjamin Warbis, Amy Thake, Freya Jeffs, Daisy West