ALVIN Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world’s most popular dance companies, returns to Bradford's Alhambra theatre next month, with an exhilarating mixed bill.

The New York-based company, coming to the UK for the first time in six years, will present brand new works by some of the world's most acclaimed choreographers, as well as beloved crowd-pleaser Revelations.

Ailey’s performances celebrate the human spirit through the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition.

Founded in 1958, the company is recognised by the US Congress as a vital American ‘Cultural Ambassador to the World' and for almost six decades its dancers have wowed audiences and critics around the world.

The company grew from a now fabled March 1958 performance in New York that changed forever the perception of American dance. Founded by Alvin Ailey, recent posthumous recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom - America's highest civilian honour - and guided by Judith Jamison from 1989, the company is now led by artistic director Robert Battle.

"I’m proud to continue Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s legacy of extensive international tours with my inaugural visit, leading the company’s extraordinary dancers through the UK," says Robert. "Presented by Dance Consortium six years after they last welcomed Ailey, we’ll share a diverse repertory of works including several UK premieres. I’m excited for audiences old and new to experience the uplifting performances that have inspired people the world over, fulfilling Mr. Ailey’s belief that: "Dance came from the people and should always be delivered back to the people."

The programme includes UK premieres of Exodus by hip hop choreographer Rennie Harris; and dreamlike duet After the Rain Pas de Deux by Christopher Wheeldon. Set to gospel and house music along with spoken word, Exodus underscores the crucial role of action and movement in effecting change and is described by Harris as a "celebration of life".

A hit at New York City Ballet in 2005, Christopher Wheeldon’s sensual After the Rain was praised for its sublime simplicity and intricate partnering. Now revealed in a fresh light by the Ailey dancers, it's set to music by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.

Also presented are two Ailey classics - Night Creature and Revelations - the most widely-seen modern dance work in the world.

Night Creature combining modern dance, classical ballet and jazz, is a fusion of Alvin Ailey’s buoyant choreography and Duke Ellington’s sparkling music. Duke Ellington first composed Suite For Orchestra in 1955 and said that "night creatures, unlike stars, do not come OUT at night - they come ON, each thinking that, before the night is out, he or she will be the star".

This large ensemble work is full of such stars; strutting, leaping and slinking jazz babies and night owls, and remains the definitive Ailey homage to The Duke's jazz exuberance.

Revelations, choreographed in 1960, has become a cultural treasure, cherished by fans. An American classic acclaimed as a must-see, Ailey’s signature masterpiece uses African-American traditional spirituals, fervently exploring grief and joy in the soul. Seeing Revelations for the first time or the 100th can be a transcendent experience, with audiences cheering, singing along and dancing in their seats, from the opening notes of the plaintive I Been ’Buked to the rousing Wade in the Water and the triumphant finale, Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of

Abraham.

* Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is at the Alhambra on Tuesday, September 27 and Wednesday, September 28. For tickets call (01274) 432000.