Sadler’s Wells releases new film Eastbound in build-up to state-of-the-art theatre opening in Stratford in February 2025

Sadler’s Wells today releases the short film Eastbound on its Digital Stage platform. Shot in and around Stratford, the short film takes viewers on a dance journey through the heart of East London. Eastbound was created by Choreographer Kloé Dean and Director Sarah Vaughan-Jones, and takes in sites including the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Westfield, Taza Corner shop, the Dorset Estate and a local bus stop

Eastbound features community groups in the local area that Sadler’s Wells Learning and Engagement team have been working with over the past seven years, including Hibiscus Community Centre, Lister School, Langdon Park School and Artistry Youth Dance. The central protagonist is portrayed by Malachi Welch, who has been performing on Sadler’s Wells stages since he was 3 years old. Eastbound features a brand-new composition by Warren Morgan-Humphreys a.k.a. Flamin Beatz, who took inspiration from east London being the home of UK Grime.

The film is released in the build-up to Sadler’s Wells East opening in February 2025, a new state-of-the-art dance theatre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, part of the East Bank cultural and educational district. Eastbound is available to watch for free on Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage from today and will be screened in Genesis Cinema, Tower Hamlets, ahead of general releases for the next week.

Malachi Welch has a longstanding relationship with Sadler’s Wells, having first performed on Sadler’s Wells Theatre stage when he was 3 as part of Breakin’ Convention. He has since trained with acclaimed companies including Boy Blue and ZooNation company and was part of Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music Group hit production of Message In A Bottle across the UK and internationally. Welch also performed in Ivan Michael Blackstock’s Olivier Award-winning production Traplord, a Sadler’s Wells co-production which features in the opening programme of Sadler’s Wells East.

Kloé Dean has been creating, performing, competing and teaching Hip Hop, Funk and Street Dance styles at elite level for over 15 years. Working and performing worldwide in over 20 countries with a wide range of companies, productions, music artists and communities. Founder and Artistic Director of all-female dance company, Myself UK Dance, Dean has led and created training, performance opportunities, work and produced a range of events for dancers in London and the UK over the past decade. She has worked extensively with the Mercury and Brit Award-winning musician Little Simz. Dean is currently working as assistant choreographer on Sadler’s Wells East’s opening show, Our Mighty Groove.

Hibiscus Community Centre opened in 1994 in response to the lack of social and leisure facilities for African and Caribbean elders living in the London Borough of Newham. It is home of Hibiscus Caribbean Elderly Association (HCEA), which over the last twenty-five years has delivered a range of services reflective of Caribbean culture which have been developed and delivered locally and beyond. Eastbound stars 8 members of Hibiscus Community Centre.

Lister School is a community school based in Newham. Eastbound features students from year 7 – 9 who have experience dancing all different styles including jazz, Hip Hop, Bollywood and Bhangra.

Langdon Park is a secondary school based in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Eastbound features 11 students from year 8 – 10 who have been put together specially for this project. 

Based in London, Artistry Youth Dance is a dance company that supports young people of African and Caribbean heritage. Through a world-class training programme, they’re leading the way in creating opportunities for young Black dancers.