In his highly-anticipated final solo performance work, world-renowned dance artist Akram Khan (DESH, TORO) unearths the experience of Indian colonial soldiers in the First World War. Over 4 million Indian men were mobilized for the conflict, but if they did return home their stories were never told. Separated from their own histories, homelands, and countrymen, they became xenoi (foreigners). With text from acclaimed Canadian playwright Jordan Tannahill and movement that shifts between classical kathak and contemporary dance, XENOS reveals a story of loss, hope and human redemption.
★★★★★ "A work of defining greatness"
– THE GUARDIAN
"Magnificent... a work of incredible potency, of emotional and cultural depth that sings and surges with the confidence of an artist at the peak of his powers"
– THE STAGE
Info
- Location: Bluma Appel Theatre
- Run Time: Approx. 65 minutes (no intermission)
- View the house program
Artistic Director/Choreographer/Performer
Akram KhanDramaturg
Ruth LittleLighting Designer
Michael HullsOriginal Music Score and Sound Design
Vincenzo LamagnaSet Designer
Mirella WeingartenCostume Designer
Kimie NakanoWriter
Jordan TannahillRehearsal Directors
Mavin Khoo and Nicola MonacoDancer
Akram KhanMusicians
Nina Harries (double bass & vocals), Clarice Rarity (violin), B C Manjunath (percussions & konnakol), Tamar Osborn (baritone saxophone), Aditya Prakash (vocals)Producer
Farooq ChaudhryAssociate Producer
Lindsey DearExclusive North American representation
2Luck Concepts – John Luckacovic & Eleanor OldhamTechnical Director
Richard FaganProduction Manager
John ValenteStage Manager
Marek PomockiLighting Engineer
Stéphane DéjoursSound Engineer
Julien DeloisonTechnician
Russell ParkerProject/Tour Manager
Mashitah OmarProps made by
Louise Edge from LFX props & special fxPHOTO
Akram Khan by Jean-Louis FernandezCommissioned by 14-18 NOW: WW1 Centenary Art Commissions, supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England, and by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Co-produced by Onassis Cultural Centre – Athens, The Grange Festival Hampshire, Sadler’s Wells London, New Vision Arts Festival Hong Kong, Théâtre de la Ville Paris, Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, National Arts Centre Ottawa, The Center for China Shanghai International Arts Festival (CSIAF), Centro Cultural de Belém, Festspielhaus St. Pölten, Grec 2018 Festival de Barcelona, HELLERAU – European Center for the Arts Dresden, Tanz Köln, Edinburgh International Festival, Adelaide Festival, Festival Montpellier Danse 2018, Julidans Amsterdam, Canadian Stage Toronto, Romaeuropa Festival, Torinodanza festival / Teatro Stabile di Torino - Teatro Nazionale, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts New York, University of California Berkeley, Danse Danse Montreal, Curve Leicester.
Pre-show Chats
Pre-show chats are free with a ticket to that evening's performance
Thursday, April 13, 2017
7:15pm (Bluma Appel Theatre)Professor Barry Freeman, Assistant Professor in Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Toronto, discusses Robert Lepage's Theatrical canon.
Reviews
- The Guardian: "Xenos review – a work of defining greatness"
- The Stage: "Xenos review at Sadler’s Wells, London – 'a work of incredible potency'"
- The Telegraph: "Xenos review, a triumph of energy, empathy and intelligence"
- The Independent: "Akram Khan's last full-length solo show emphasises his stamina"