Last Updated on November 22, 2021
Akram Khan’s War Dance
Celebrated dancer and choreographer Akram Khan MBE is returning to Sadler’s Wells, where he is an associate artist, for the final UK performances of XENOS, his solo dance piece that also features five musicians. With his Akram Khan Company he has successfully fused the classical kathak Indian style with contemporary dance to brilliant effect.
XENOS means ‘stranger’ or ‘foreigner’ and in the piece, Khan inhabits the dream world of a shell-shocked colonial soldier in the First World War. ‘It takes place on the border between East and West, past and present, mythology and technology, where humanity stands in wonder and disarray”.
The creative team brings together fellow Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist lighting designer Michael Hulls, dramaturg Ruth Little, playwright Jordan Tannahill, designer Mirella Weingarten, costume designer Kimie Nakano and composer Vincenzo Lamagna.
This is one of the last opportunities to see Akram Khan himself performing as a dancer. In 2019, Khan received the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for his performance of XENOS. He returns to Sadler’s Wells Theatre from Tuesday 30 November – Saturday 4 December to present his last ever UK performances of this critically acclaimed full-length solo.
Xenos is part of a trio of productions at Sadler’s Wells by the Akram Khan Company entitled Carnival of Shadows: the beginning of a third decade of storytelling. The series starts with the UK premiere of his latest work, Outwitting the Devil, an epic dance piece about ritual and remembering in the midst of our ever-changing planet. Running from 23-27 November, it’s followed by Xenos and the series concludes with Chotto Xenos, an adaptation of Xenos for younger audiences and families. his new work explores the often forgotten and untold stories of First World War colonial soldiers with two performances daily on 2nd and 3rd December.
One of the most celebrated dance artists of today, we are thrilled he’s back on stage. His work has a unique style and has influenced world-class artists from around the world. Described by the Financial Times as an artist “who speaks tremendously of tremendous things”, a highlight of his career was the creation of a section of the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony that was received with unanimous acclaim.
Don’t miss this opportunity to see him on stage alongside five world-class musicians
XENOS
Sadler’s Wells,
Rosebery Avenue,
London, EC1R 4TN
https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/akram-khan-company-xenos/
30 November – 4 December 2021
Tickets prices from: £15.00
Running Time Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes
Wed 1 December at 7:30pm
Tuesday 30 November 7:30 pm
Wednesday 1 December 7:30 pm
Friday 3 December 7:30 pm
Saturday 4 December 7:30 pm
Leave a Reply