Our Mighty Groove transports audience into heart of club life
It underlines the flexibility of the new space, part of the growing East Bank cultural quarter in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Sadler's Wells is one of a group of big names opening centres here, including BBC Music Studios and the V&A. There's a focus on education and creation as well as performance: Sadler's Wells East will be home to Academy Breakin' Convention and the Rose Choreographic school, with six dance studios alongside the 550-seat auditorium.
Designed by architects O'Donnell + Tuomey, it's an airy, welcoming building. Glass walls give views over the park, and encourage people in to the cafe and public performance spaces – there's a dance floor for free events. Circulation spaces are generous and lightly industrial, smooth concrete softened by wood.
Reworking her 2013 hit for the new venue, Igbokwe-Ozoagu is determined to show off the space and its ethos. Performed by Uchenna Dance Company, the original Our Mighty Groove was all immersive, drawing on the choreographer's joyful experiences in a New York underground club. For 2025, it starts as a theatre show with the audience in their seats, before putting the seating away to take us into the heart of the club. The cast has grown from five to 19, bringing in young local dancers.
In the theatrical first half, we see the club getting ready to open, with a voiceover introducing the staff and the regulars. Layered club styles give a sense of personalities, with event staff in hi-vis jackets bubbling over into hip hop and jazz steps.
There's an appealing energy to the show, but the earnest storytelling can slow it down. The cast of characters has been updated to include an influencer, phone in hand, but there's little sense of the club as a space to explore deeper identities, such as gender or sexuality.
For the second half, we're on our feet and on the dancefloor. Dancers and the voiceover give some simple instructions to get us moving. Dramas unfold in tiny vignettes, dancers popping up on podiums or strutting their stuff through the crowd.
Our Mighty Groove is still strongest when it shows people creating themselves on the dancefloor: dance as possibility, as self-definition. Shanelle Clemenson, a member of the original cast, is glorious as the queen of old-style Vogueing, a diva who parts the waves of clubbers with effortless command.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The genius man haunted by the patients he couldn't save... CHRISTOPHER STEVENS reviews Confessions Of A Brain Surgeon
Confessions Of A Brain Surgeon (BBC2) What's the difference between a bus driver and a brain surgeon? None at all, it turns out, if Henry Marsh is typical. Henry is a retired neurosurgeon who spends much of his free time in Ukraine, a country he loves, helping out in the operating theatre at Lviv hospital. Sometimes, when the senior medic needs a tea break, he steps in for a spot of impromptu brain surgery. That's very like the driver of a horse-drawn Victorian omnibus who, legend has it, spent his days off riding buses driven by his mates... having a 'busman's holiday'. Henry was the subject of an idiosyncratic hour-long biography, Confessions Of A Brain Surgeon. There was no particular reason for the film — no news angle or 'peg', as journalists call it. He hasn't reached a landmark birthday, and he isn't receiving a knighthood, though he probably deserves one. It's simply that the film-makers, Harriet Bird and Charlie Russell, seemed fascinated by his personality and his achievements. He is certainly flamboyant, the sort of man who, when asked to say something for a sound check, recites a Shakespearean sonnet. Neurosurgery, he says, is 'bomb disposal work for cowards', because though snipping out a tumour is a high-risk procedure, brains don't explode. But he's also a depressive, shattered by a brush with his own mortality after a bout of prostate cancer — though thankfully he's currently in remission. And, aged 75, he is haunted by memories of the patients he could not save and brain ops that went wrong. He referred five times to his 'inner cemetery, a place full of bitterness and regrets... I look back and there's this overwhelming sense of failure'. As if to torment himself, he invited the cameras to join him as he sat down with Tina, the mother of a boy called Max who died after a brain operation went wrong, 29 years ago. Tina admitted she couldn't help blaming Henry, even hating him, because he'd been unable to save her son. 'We put all our faith in him,' she said. 'We were told he was the best in the world.' The grief in her voice was edged with anger. Little wonder that Henry is traumatised by the surgeries that did not succeed. Under the weight of such criticism, most people would have no self-confidence left at all. He's plainly fortunate to have a strong support network of family and friends around him, including his former anaesthetist Judith Dinsmore, who helped him to develop the revolutionary technique of 'awake craniotomy' — brain surgery on a conscious patient. How it is possible for a person to lie still and talk after the top of their skull has been sawn off, this documentary did not explain. Little was said either about why, though he and his second wife Kate are apparently happily married, he lives in London while she lives in Oxford. Perhaps that is the secret of their success.
Metro
15 hours ago
- Metro
Amazon Prime Video quietly adds the most hyped movie of 2023
One of the most hyped movies of the last few years has finally landed on Amazon Prime Video after taking in more than $1.44billion at the global box office. Barbie sent us all into a whirlwind when it was released in 2023, and the world hasn't quite managed to recover from the buzz. Margot Robbie led the A-List cast as the titular doll, starring opposite just about anyone in Hollywood, including Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Will Ferrell, Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa and Michael Cera. Thankfully, we can relive the magic as Greta Gerwig's masterpiece has arrived on the streaming platform. It currently commands a huge Rotten Tomatoes score of 88%, with critics branding it 'dazzling', a 'love letter to women' and a 'jazzy and infectiously vibrant summer blockbuster'. The hit focused on Barbie and co enjoying their lives 'in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. 'However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.' Barbie broke records when it was released and became the highest-grossing film of 2023 – it also landed a string of Oscar nominations, despite Margot and Greta being snubbed in the best actress and best director categories. It truly took on a life of its own upon release, as cinema-goers enjoyed the opportunity of turning the premiere into an entire event. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video They were also delighted by Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer premiering on the same day, celebrating the phenomenon known as 'Barbenheimer' with a unique double feature. For film fans who want to go that extra step and recreate the summer of 2023, you can turn your movie night into a Barbenheimer double-feature as Oppenheimer was added to Netflix last month. More Trending Christopher Nolan's flick followed the 'father of the atomic bomb' and his torment at creating such a deadly weapon of mass destruction. Spanning several decades, it explored huge events in history, including the Manhattan Project and Hiroshima. Cillian Murphy won an Oscar for his portrayal of Oppenheimer alongside Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Matt Damon and Robert Downey Jr. Barbie is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'Wall-to-wall action' spy thriller shoots up Amazon Prime Video top 10 ranking MORE: Bella Thorne sparks debate after proposing to fiancé one year after their engagement MORE: Hailey Bieber reacts to Justin's controversial picture with Kendall Jenner
Metro
19 hours ago
- Metro
Pokémon World Championships 2025 report - hands-on with Pokémon Legends: Z-A
The biggest esports event of the year for Pokémon has just ended and it featured the first chance for anyone to play the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Pokémon is on a roll… a rock and roll! From the Grease-inspired opening ceremony, to a Pikachu Cadillac and a Pokémon Center full of varsity jackets, everything at the Anaheim Convention Center this weekend screamed 1950s nostalgia. But not even a Jigglypuff with big pin curls could stop the march of progress, as the biggest draw on the show floor was the life-size, functional Toyota Miraidon motorcycle. The Pokémon World Championships first began in 2004 and focused primarily on the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), but it has since grown to include dedicated competitions for Pokémon video games as well, including Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Pokémon Go, and Pokémon Unite. Every year, Pokémon International Championships take place across the globe, as players compete to earn a place at what fans refer to as Worlds . Worlds 2025 saw over 2,500 competitors from over 48 countries and regions. In this highly competitive tournament, each game has its own format and set of rules, including different divisions for pros, seniors, and juniors. There was a total prize pool of $2 million (£1.48m) available, with a tidy sum of $50,000 for each of the winners of the TCG division. Before the competitive action started, it was time to shop and, as usual, there were huge queues for the pop-up Pokémon Center, that was full of Worlds exclusive merchandise, including a red and black rockabilly Growlithe section, which flew off the shelves. But my favourite part of the Pokémon Center was the wall of mock-up record covers by well known artists, such as the Regice Girls and Kyogre Minogue . In addition to the Pokémon Center, there were big queues for the Play Lab which allowed you to learn the basics of the Pokémon Trading Card Game and get a cool Mew badge. Pins, as they're called in the US, were a big theme this year, and the Pin Rally, which set you tasks you could compete around the convention centre, was so popular it led to huge queues and instant scalper prices. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. There was a special treat on the exhibition show floor, of artwork from beloved Pokémon TCG illustrators, such as Take Minaminami – famous for the impressionist style card art of Charmander with his nose pressed against a glass window. Kantaro, Okacheke, and Shimaris Yukichi were also in attendance and signing special prints for fans. There was plenty of other Pokémon art on display in the Pokémon TCG Art Showcase, featuring card art from the latest TCG expansion Black Bolt and White Flare, with highly stylised monochromatic black or white designs. The buzz surrounding the Pokémon Legends: Z-A demo was impossible to ignore, and I was lucky enough to get a look a couple of days ahead of the trainers, who secured a Nintendo Warp Pipe Pass and were able to play a public demo on the Friday morning. Launching this October on Nintendo Switch 2, Pokémon Legends: Z-A transports you to the single city setting of Lumiose, now rendered with a neon-soaked aesthetic reminiscent of Tron. Lumiose serves as the hub of your adventures, with Hotel Z doubling as your headquarters and the base for Team MZ. From there, you team up with scientist Mable and detective Emma to safeguard the city through exploration and wild encounters. My time with the demo highlighted the game's fluid 60fps performance and its ambitious attempt to finally capture the cinematic flair of the anime. Battles unfold in real-time, with dodging mechanics proving invaluable against aggressive trainers and their pokémon. My Mega Evolution showdown against a ferocious Mega Absol was a tough encounter that demanded quick reflexes and tactical timing. One standout mechanic is the ability to Mega Evolve multiple times in a single battle, by collecting Mega Power Balls which drop during combat. With the starters Chikorita, Totodile, and Tepig anchoring the adventure and the promise of heavyweights like the dreamy Mega Dragonite, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is shaping up to be my game of the year, especially with the news of four player online co-op announced at the closing ceremony. The Pokémon video game competitions had some huge controversy on day two, with firm favourite Wofle Glick being knocked out after accruing three loses. The video game Master Division saw a guaranteed USA win, with James Evans and Giovanni Cischke taking the stage, each with a Koraidon ready to go. Evan's team was a finely tuned defensive machine, featuring Brute Bonnet, but it was not enough to save him from late game Flutter Mane during the first match, which left him at a disadvantage, even after a comeback in game two. I was keen to see a player called Giovanni win Worlds (since he had the same name as a notorious Pokémon villain) and while he played a risky game he was ultimately rewarded with the win and the title of World Champion. I spoke to two ranked Pokémon competitors from the UK, Dylan 'Dyl' Yeomans and Tom Winter, about their Worlds experience. 'Qualifications were a bit different this year. They capped the number of players who could qualify. In Europe, it was 75 plus a handful of automatic invites. You just had to earn more points than others by performing well at certain tournaments,' said Dyl. 'It was definitely harder this season. You had to make sure every event you attended gave you enough points to keep you in the running for that top 75. You couldn't just coast on average results, you needed strong finishes at bigger events. Points came from locals, regionals, and international tournaments. I managed to squeeze into the 75th spot,' agreed Winter. 'One of the things I've enjoyed most about being here is playing strong opponents every single round. You have to be fully focused, no mistakes allowed. That level of competition is exciting.' 'Same here. It's tough, but I love it. Honestly, qualifying alone feels like a huge achievement. And beyond the competition, Worlds is a vibrant, colourful event. There's the Pokémon Center, side events, loads for spectators. It's just a great atmosphere, especially sharing it with friends,' added Dyl. In an exciting start to the final day, Ved 'Beelzeboy' Bamb claimed the Pokémon Go World 2025 Championship title and $20,000 (£14.8K), marking a historic moment for the competitive scene by knocking out Spanish favourite P4T0M4N 3-2. Beelzeboy's team comprised Lapras, Steelix, Annihilape, Tinkaton, Galarian Moltres, and Marowak. There's no room for error in Pokémon Go and a shield call mistake early game by P4T0M4N allowed Beelzeboy's Moltres to pull off a sucker punch, leaving room for his Lapras to finish P4T0M4N off and take the lead through to a decisive win. For the first time in Worlds history the finals were held in a stadium, tucked within its own circular arena at the Anaheim Convention Center – the competitive stage offered more than just spectacle, with some cool animated immersion. During the Unite final, the floor itself lit up with real-time health bars of battling Pokémon, a clever touch that turned every clash into a living, interactive experience for the crowd. During the final, Peru Unite delivered the performance of a lifetime. The Latin American titans claimed the 2025 Pokémon Unite World Championship and a cool $100,000 (£73.8K) by showcasing impeccable coordination and nerves of steel. Their gameplay was a study in discipline and calculated aggression, dismantling Japanese opponent's Zeta Division piece by piece. More Trending The Pokémon TCG portion of the event saw the stage floor become an animated card table, but there were no surprises in the final decks, which saw reining stalwarts Dragapult and Gardevoir back in action, leaving me hoping the Mega Ex decks can shake up the meta next year. The Master Division final was dominated by North America, with Canadian Riley McKay against American Justin Newdorf. With a well-crafted Gardevoir Ex deck Riley took the early lead and never let it go, as it was time for fairy type revenge as Gardevoir became an unstoppable force with the help of Mew Ex and Clefairy to take the win. As the competition closed, it was time to hand Anaheim back to the Disney crowds but something stirs in SoCal, as Riot Games prepares for the release of their new TCG based on League Of Legends and Arcane called Riftbound. It's already available in China, which means the stage could be set for a competing Riot Games Worlds event that covers both video and TCG. But for now, as Anaheim hands the Torchic to San Francisco, Pokémon shows no signs of slowing its global gaming domination. With Pokémon Legends: Z-A imminent and Mega Evolutions coming to TCG, the franchise continues to balance heritage and nostalgia with innovation, with the insane production values of this year's Worlds a testament to this. 21 years since the first Worlds, the message remains clear: Pokémon isn't just still here, it's still leading the game. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: GTA 6's biggest rival is GTA 5 says analyst: 'It's wild times' MORE: EA is going to make a new Battlefield game every year claims source MORE: PETA gives Nintendo free advertising by complaining about the cows in Mario Kart
