DanceHouse, in co-presentation with SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs and Théâtre la Seizième, is delighted to announce the anticipated Vancouver premiere of Akram Khan Company’s award-winning solo, Chotto Desh – loosely based on Khan’s childhood raised under the stern eye of his authoritarian father, November 21-24, 2018 at 8pm at the SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. Performances will be held in French on November 22, 2018 at 8pm and with ASL Interpretation on November 24 at 2pm.
Revered UK choreographer Akram Khan and acclaimed children’s theatre Director Sue Buckmaster fuse kathak, storytelling, mime, and interactive animation, to create a bewitching tale of a young man’s dreams and memories growing up in Britain and Bangladesh. This charming work for adults and children ages seven and up, will address the complex relationship between parent and child, as well as timely concepts of home, identity, and belonging in our multicultural world.
Chotto Desh, meaning ‘small homeland’ in Bengali, was lovingly adapted by Khan and Buckmaster from Khan’s widely acclaimed 2011 autobiographical solo, DESH, which explored Khan’s feelings about cultural identity from an adult perspective. In 2015, the expanded, child-friendly solo premiered to rave reviews at DanceEast in Ipswich, UK. Hailed as an “exquisite gem of dance theatre” (London Dance), Chotto Desh is a magical and heart-warming dance theatre experience replete with an emotionally rich score by Jocelyn Pook and life-sized animations by Tim Yip and Yeast Culture.
By mixing the Indian classical dance form kathak with mime, contemporary dance and hip hop, Khan’s blended cultural identity emerges through his dynamic choreography. His moving solo will be brought to life by the powerful physicality of company dancers Dennis Alamanos and Nicolas Ricchini, who will perform the lyrical and often deeply funny vignettes in the piece on alternate evenings. From a surly teenager practicing Michael Jackson’s crotch-grabs in his bedroom, to a man fully in control of his artistry and destiny – Chotto Desh captures the complex relationship between parent and child, and the pain and joy of growing up with astounding delicacy and beauty.
DanceHouse presents Akram Khan Company: Chotto Desh
Dates: November 21–24, 2018 at 8pm ¬& November 24, 2018 at 2pm
Special Note: The performance on November 22 at 8pm will be in French. Post-show Talk in French to follow the performance.
The performance on November 24 at 2pm will be with ASL interpretation. Post-show Talk with ASL interpretation to follow the performance.
Ticket Prices: From $35
Venue: SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts 149 W Hastings, Vancouver, BC
Tickets and Info: dancehouse.ca/tickets/single-tickets/ or call 604.801.6225
Photo by Richard Haughton