Jade Hackett’s dance theatre premiere follows a Windrush couple across four decades in hip hop and lyrical dance, set to the songs of British neo-soul singer Omar.
Choreographer Jade Hackett gives the world premiere of her dance theatre piece The LOve Book at Sadler’s Wells East in Stratford from Friday 12 to Saturday 20 February 2027. The British neo-soul singer Omar provides the soundtrack.
The piece follows Leonard and Olivia, a young couple who arrive in Britain with the Windrush Generation in the 1950s. It traces their relationship across four decades through hip hop and lyrical dance, set to songs from Omar’s catalogue and his most recent album.
Hackett has spent more than 20 years in hip hop dance and performed with Boy Blue and ZooNation. Her theatre choreography includes Hex at the National Theatre and Miss Saigon at Sheffield Crucible. She was associate director of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at The Old Vic.
Sadler’s Wells calls the piece a celebration of Black British history. It is a Sadler’s Wells production, co-produced with Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, and the Stratford run is its first.
Omar first gained international recognition with “There’s Nothing Like This” and has worked with Stevie Wonder and Erykah Badu. In 2025 he celebrated 40 years as a recording artist with his ninth studio album, Brighter The Days.