Phoenix Dance Theatre presents “Inside Giovanni’s Room”

Award-winning American choreographer Marcus Jarrell Willis presents his first full- length creation as Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre inspired by James Baldwin’s boundary breaking novel Giovanni’s Room. Following its successful UK wide spring tour, Inside Giovanni’s Room will be presented at newly opened Sadler’s Wells East for its London premiere from 11- 14 June.

Giovanni’s Room (published in 1956) was originally banned due to its themes of sexual identity and homosexuality. Baldwin’s American publisher, Knopf, suggested that he “burn” the book because the theme of same sex relationships would alienate him from his readership among black people. James Baldwin was known for writing about the African American experience and was told by his publishers, “You cannot afford to alienate that audience. This new book will ruin your career, because you’re not writing about the same things and in the same manner as you were before, and we won’t publish this book as a favour to you.”

Today the novel is celebrated as one of the most important literary works of the 20th century.

To mark Baldwin’s 100th birthday, choreographer Marcus Jarrell Willis unpacks this thought-provoking novel in a narrative adaptation that examines how its themes are still poignant and relevant today.

Talking about his inspiration, Marcus Jarrell Willis said:

“I first read the book in my early 20s and what inspired me then, as it does now, is the fact that it’s a story that is still present in today’s world … I kept coming back to the novel throughout the years, and particularly just before I came into the role of Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre … When I came into this role, I went back and forth and realised this was the perfect opportunity to unpack this work. I felt like it was the right time in my life and career, to dive into such an important piece of literature, and I knew that the current dancers at Phoenix were the right group of artists to work with on this production.  

I really relate to James Baldwin’s choices in his life, being a black American who left the states to find a space for himself where his voice could be heard … He was before his time in many ways, and it is the reason his work still lives on to today. I think it’s important to use my platform to inform people about great black artists that they might not know of and celebrate their unrecognised contributions to the world.”  

Marcus Jarrell Willis began his formal training at the Johnston Performing Arts Middle School, in Houston, Texas. At the age of 16, he moved to New York City to study at The Ailey School as a scholarship student. In 2008 he joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, staying with the company for eight years.

Willis received his first choreographic commission at the age of 23 and has since choreographed dozens of works for a wide variety of companies and festivals across America and Europe. In 2008 he founded MJ Willis/Project-Inc., collaborating with like-minded artists on experimental projects across music, dance and the spoken word. In 2018 he was selected for a Leverhulme Choreography Fellowship at Rambert in London and decided to move to the UK and was appointed as Resident Choreographer for Ballet Cymru in Newport, Wales, in 2021.

In October 2023, he joined Phoenix Dance Theatre as the company’s ninth artistic director. 

Founded over 40 years ago by three young Black British men, Phoenix Dance Theatre’s new production builds on their legacy of pushing cultural boundaries and using dance as a platform to ask questions that get to the very heart of what it is to be human.

For more information and booking details, visit: phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk/whats_on/inside-giovannis-room/

Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Inside Giovanni’s Room, Photo credit Drew Forsyth