Tellus, Dickson Mbi Company

Last Updated on October 22, 2026

Dickson Mbi’s Rousing New Dance Work at Sadler’s Wells East

4.0 out of 5.0 stars

Tellus is that rare thing: a stage production whose sophistication doesn’t detract from, but rather enhances, its raw, visceral impact.  The work of award-winning dancer, choreographer and composer Dickson Mbi, it’s just opened at Sadler’s Wells East, presented by his Dickson Mbi Company.

Now, Dickson Mbi is one of my favourite dancers.  Born in Cameroon, brought up in East London, he started in the world of hip hop, moved on to contemporary dance at The Place, and was subsequently mentored by Russell Maliphant.  The persistent rhythms and sheer power of African dance course through his body and his dancing.  So, I was a little disappointed when I realised Mbi himself wouldn’t be dancing in Tellus, but I needn’t have worried: his Dickson Mbi Company is a group of eight outstanding multicultural dancers, and importantly, Mbi’s concept and choreography contain all that is so mesmerising in his own dancing.

In Tellus, Mbi calls on African myth and culture to deal with the ecological crisis through dance that is charged with symbolism and theatrical immediacy.  The story follows a young man disconnected from Mother Earth, who finds himself in a village devastated by drought.  Guided by an Old Lady/Goddess, he comes to understand how the current situation is the consequence of humanity’s disconnect from the land and failure to protect it.

Tellus is danced on a bare stage, with only a flimsy white curtain at the back shielding three musicians (cello, flute and percussion) whose live playing blends with a complex recorded score that includes African vocals. As the lights go up, we see a man lying curled up centre-stage. He slowly rouses himself to a cacophony of urgent voices warning of drought and ecological disaster.   The man, compellingly danced by Harvey Burke-Hamilton, is joined by villagers, each carrying a rag, with which they beat the ground in a rhythmic dance, as if putting out a fire. 

Throughout Tellus, Mbi skilful alternates vigorous ensemble pieces with softer, more mediative duets, as the man gradually comes to understand where he, and by extension us, too, have gone so catastrophically wrong.  A long central duet with the Goddess, danced with authority and tremendous grace by Hannah Joseph, appears to be the crux of a gentle ritual that will lead the man to reconnect with the Earth, and bring about the end of the punishing drought.

Some of the ensemble dancing, stomping vigorously to a crescendo of African rhythms, torsos bent forward, arms raised high or pointing, dancers forming a   pulsating line or congregating in a circle, is reminiscent of Hofesh Shechter; but Mbi’s musical score is rather more involving: it’s music that, in Mbi’s own words, “makes the listener feel something” and “see through imagination.”

Mentored by theatre great Simon McBurney, the founder of Complicité, Tellus brings together a remarkable creative team led by Dickson Mbi, who co-wrote it with poet Nick Drake, as well as choreographing alongside Associate Choreographer Kenny Wing Tao Ho, and composing the music.  The simple set was designed by Ruby Law, and the non-specific costumes by Debbie Duru. 

Lee Curran’s lighting design is unobtrusive but highly atmospheric, creating skilful progression from scene to scene.  Video design by Yeast Culture comes into its own in the final section, when moving silhouettes of an African woman and a flying hummingbird are projected across the back curtain, and in the beautiful finale, when a rainstorm flashes on the scrim, bringing about the renewed flowering of a land now lush with promise.

In a very interesting and informative programme interview, Dickson Mbi states that he’s “allergic to preaching” and the important thing is “to create a show that everyone can enjoy rather than requiring that everyone understands it.” Tellus certainly doesn’t go for a linear narrative, but its perfect combination of concept, visuals, sound and dancing truly is an enjoyable way to transmit a powerful, yet non-preachy, message.

Tellus, Dickson Mbi Company is at Sadler’s Wells East 21 – 24 October at 7.30 pm
Dur.: 60 mins. Tickets: £15 – 45

Sadler’s Wells East
Stratford Walk
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
London E20 2AR

For further dance suggestions check out our London Dance Previews – July to December 2026