On International Dance Day, Stopgap celebrates the Sadler’s Wells announcement - that ‘Lived Fiction’ is a Finalist for the prestigious Rose International Dance Prize 2027.
Nadenh Poan, a Cambodian male wheelchair dancer caught in a gravity defying headstand. A haze of golden light spills around him as he throws his left arm forwards to the camera, balancing only on the side of his head and right arm, his lightweight black manual chair lifted above him. He wears a light gold satin corset with braces that he stretches and extends away from him, wrapping one around his extended left arm. Photography by Chris Parkes.
“Lived Fiction is a seminal piece of art that boldly defines the future for truly accessible dance. Inviting audiences to experience dance from multiple perspectives. Being a finalist for the Rose Prize not only makes the case that aesthetics of access is central to creativity – it also advocates for the vital contribution Disabled Artists make to wider society.
This is the first time in its almost 30-year history that Stopgap has been invited to present work on Sadler’s Wells main stages. This is a moment for everyone in our community to be recognised and celebrated. Thank you to all of the Stopgap team both past and present, our funders and all of the diverse creatives and collaborators who made this production a reality.”
– from Lucy Bennett, Laura Jones (Co-Artistic Directors), Lucy Glover (Executive Producer), Jane Hackett and Suzie Birchwood (Co-Chairs)
Lived Fiction is a glorious representation of what culture can be when diversity is not just accepted but cherished. This is not only a dance performance, it is an act of advocacy. Given the current political debates, threats and attacks on the rights of Disabled people – this production is fully charged with cultural and political significance.
“We are no longer interested in being invited to your table. We invite you to ours instead.” – Quote from Lived Fiction
Lived Fiction will be performed at Sadler’s Wells East on 29 and 30 January 2027. The winner will be announced on 6 February 2027.
Tickets go on general sale on 12 May 2026.
About the Rose Prize
The Rose International Dance Prize is Dance’s equivalent to the Booker (Literature) or Turner (Visual Art) prizes. The second edition will take place in January and February 2027, celebrating creativity in new dance works from across the world.
42 dance works from seven regions were nominated by presenters, artists, producers and writers. A selection panel from around the world – Anita van Dolen (Netherlands), Ekhard Thiemann (UK), Natacha Melo (Uruguay), Claire Verlet (France), Karen Chung (Hong Kong) and Qudus Onikeku (Nigeria) – then selected the four finalists for the Rose Prize.
The Rose International Dance Prize is made possible by a generous donation to Sadler’s Wells from an anonymous individual, who chose the name Rose for the prize. Inside the Rose International Dance Prize, a documentary on the first 2025 edition, is available to view on Marquee TV.
The biennial (every two years) prize is for new dance creations in any style, with emphasis on choreography, distinctive style and performance quality. There are two categories: the Rose Prize and the Bloom Prize. Stopgap is nominated for the Rose Prize, for productions of at least 55 minutes for mid-to large-scale venues. The winner of the Rose Prize will be awarded £40,000.
More information on The Rose International Dance Prize can be found on the Sadler’s Wells website.
About Stopgap’s nomination
Stopgap is incredibly proud to be nominated for Lived Fiction, a manifestation of our almost thirty-year history. Conceived and choreographed by Stopgap’s Co-Artistic Director Lucy Bennett. The work was devised with the company’s Deaf, Disabled, neurodivergent and non disabled creatives and collaborators. .
“There are certain works that permanently alter one’s perception of the world; Lived Fiction is one such creation.” – A Young(ish) Perspective ★★★★★
In 2024 Lived Fiction was named in the Guardian’s Top 10 Dance Shows of that year. In January 2025 Lived Fiction was awarded the One Dance UK Award for Artistic Innovation; and later nominated for the Sky Arts Dance Award and UK Theatre Awards Achievement in Dance.
We want to thank Eckhard Thiemann (independent curator, programmer and arts manager) for our nomination. Thiemann called Lived Fiction “a reflection and new departure in presenting choreography as a shared activity across bodies and individuals from different backgrounds”, commenting that the work is “politically poignant, while aesthetically coherent and smart.”
The winners will be decided by an esteemed jury, chaired by Anita van Dolen, Artistic Director of Julidans Festival and dance programmer at Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA) – full details on the jury panel will be announced in the autumn. The winner will be announced on 6 February 2027.
Lived Fiction will be performed at Sadler’s Wells East on 29 and 30 January 2027. Tickets go on general sale on 12 May 2026.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Lived Fiction
The sensual choreography of Lived Fiction is rendered anew with evocative audio description, exquisite projection art and captioning. A timely intervention that can shape the future of contemporary dance.
Discover more about the production