Dr. Russell Maliphant, OBE, is one of this generation’s foremost choreographers and dance artists. Multiple award-winning, infinitely creative, eternally curious, the Daily Express dubs him “Britain’s leading modern dance creator”. For 25 years, he has been creating works for his own company of dancers in London and has choreographed for a huge number of distinguished companies and artists including ballet star Sylvie Guillem, theatre director Robert Lepage, designer Alexander McQueen, Natalia Osipova, Sergei Polunin, English National Ballet, Ballet Boyz, Munich’s Bayerisches Staatsballett and Lyon Opera Ballet.

His collaboration with Sylvie Guillem, Push, was heralded as one of the top 5 dance masterpieces of the 21st century.

Russell’s work is characterised by a unique approach to flow and energy and an ongoing exploration of movement, often particularly highlighting its relationship to light, space and sound. Drawing on anatomical resources to increase awareness and connection, the physical world is integrated into other aesthetic elements for the stage.

Maliphant worked closely with pioneering lighting designer Michael Hulls for over 20 years, and many of the creative projects included Dana Fouras as a performer, composer or creative collaborator. These works include the solo Two, which has become a signature piece performed by Dana and RMDC for over 20 years as well as with dancers such as Sylvie Guillem, Carlos Acosta, Roberto Bollé and Daniel Proietto and companies Lyon Opera Ballet, Bayerisches StaatsBallet and Ballet De Nancy.

Maliphant has been an Associate Artist of Sadler’s Wells since 2005, achieving his Ph.D. from Canterbury Christchurch University in 2020, and awared an Order of the British Empire in the King’s Honours, 2023.