Woolf Works

Wayne McGregor’s award-winning ballet triptych inspired by the writings of Virginia Woolf, with an original score by Max Richter.

Wayne McGregor’s award-winning ballet triptych inspired by the writings of Virginia Woolf, with an original score by Max Richter met with outstanding critical acclaim on its premiere in 2015, and went on to win McGregor the Critics’ Circle Award for Best Classical Choreography and the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production. The Observer described it as "a compellingly moving experience"; for The Independent it "glows with ambition… a brave, thoughtful work"; The Guardian concluded that "it takes both McGregor – and the concept of the three-act ballet – to a brave and entirely exhilarating new place". Each of the three acts springs from one of Woolf’s landmark novels: Mrs Dalloway, Orlando and The Waves – but these inspirations are also enmeshed with elements from her letters, essays and diaries. Woolf Works was McGregor’s first full-length work for The Royal Ballet, and saw him reunited with regular collaborator Max Richter, who provides a commissioned score incorporating electronic and orchestral music.

Original title Woolf Works
Genre Ballet
Recording location Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 2017
Duration 110 mins
Production Company Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Composer Max Richter
Orchestra / Band Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Conductor Koen Kessels
Choreography by Wayne McGregor
Dance Company The Royal Ballet
Soloist Alessandra Ferri, Natalia Osipova, Federico Bonelli, Sarah Lamb, Steven McRae