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In this major new international collaboration between The Royal Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada, Royal Ballet Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor brings Margaret Atwood’s post-apocalyptic vision to the stage in a three–act ballet, MADDADDAM based on the writer’s acclaimed trilogy of novels: Oryx and Crake, The Year of the Flood and MaddAddam. Themes of extinction and invention, hubris and humanity are spliced together with aspects of Atwood’s non-fiction writings and political voice.

Featuring a specially commissioned score from Max Richter, lighting by Lucy Carter, design by We Not I, film by Ravi Deepres, and dramaturgy by Uzma Hameed, this world premiere reunites the creative collaborators from McGregor’s Olivier Award-winning ballet Woolf Works.

Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet comments ’Wayne’s genius in bringing together some of the most exciting creative forces in art today reveals itself again with this latest venture. Collaborating with Margaret Atwood, author of some of the most haunting and potent writing in contemporary literature, is a wonderful prospect for our next co-production with The National Ballet of Canada. It’s a dazzling opportunity for dancers from both of our companies to relish.’

Karen Kain, Artistic Director for The National Ballet of Canada adds ‘I am thrilled The National Ballet of Canada will premiere Wayne McGregor’s exciting new work, MADDADDAM, our third co-production with The Royal Ballet, in November 2020. I have long admired Wayne for his intelligent, visually stunning and highly physical work that continually pushes the boundaries of creativity. He has a perfect collaborator in Margaret Atwood. Together they are creating a work firmly rooted in the Canadian landscape exploring themes of extinction and invention, hubris and humanity and activism.’