Century Rolls

About

Century Rolls is a contemporary ballet choreographed by British choreographer Ashley Page for the Polish National Ballet. Set to John Adams’s 1996 piano concerto of the same name (originally written for Emanuel Ax and inspired by 1920s piano roll technology), the piece features set and costume designs by Tatyana van Walsum and lighting by Bert Dalhuysen. The ballet premiered at Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera in Warsaw on 17 November 2012. It was programmed as part of the triple bill Echoes of Time (Echa czasu), curated by company director Krzysztof Pastor to showcase the troupe’s athleticism, precision, and contemporary musicality. Within the evening, Century Rolls served as a vivid, rhythmically driven opener that underlined the company’s capacity for intricate partnering and fast-paced ensemble work. The program was widely seen as a turning point for the company, signaling confidence in performing demanding international repertoire.