Akram Khan Company - iTMOi

As a complete contrast to a hip hop show I saw at the beginning of the month (Some Like it Hip Hop), at the end of May my Mum and I were lucky enough to go and see Akram Khan's iTMOi. For those of you who don't know, Akram Khan is an artistic director, choreographer and dancer. You might recognise his work from the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony - in my opinion, the best part of the it! See here. 

However, I have only just discovered that American broadcasters chose not to show his sequence as it was not commercial enough. See here. I am extremely shocked and disappointed to hear this as I really really love his work. 

Akram Khan's sequence in the London 2012 Olymic Opening Ceremony

After reading a few reviews for iTMOi I didn't feel as guilty for admitting that I didn't really understand it! But in my opinion, that is the beauty of dance. I really think that dance is an art so even if the audience don't fully understand it, it can be interpreted in many different ways allowing the mind to wonder and get lost in the performance.

A report of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring in 1913

The piece is inspired by Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring (iTMOi : In the mind of Igor) celebrating it's 100th anniversary. Now if my understandings are correct when the Rite of Spring premiered on 29th May 1913 it caused an outrage to the point that Stravinsky's dissonant chords and energetic rhythm caused a riot amongst the audience. 

So is it really a bad thing that some (according to reviews) were unimpressed by Khan's iTMOi? The Rite of Spring remains one of the most famous and inspirational ballets over the past century didn't exactly receive a good reception! 

Although I found it hard to follow I still personally thought the piece was absolutely fantastic! I particularly loved how the creative team had clearly worked so well together and every aspect of the production: the minimalistic set, costume (Kimie Nakano), choreography (Akram Khan), lighting (Fabiana Piccioli) and composition (Nitin Sawhney, Jocelyn Pook, and Ben Frost) blended so effortlessly together. It was very impressive to watch.

Something I really loved about this performance is the innovative way the dancers interacted with the costumes and props. For example, the dancer (I think Denis 'Koone' Kuhnert) would use the structure of the crinoline combined with the choreography to create different shapes and movements. Very clever! Also, the use of chalk in the performance I though felt very dream-like and mystical which was a very interesting way to create a mood and atmosphere.

I really admire Akram Khan and his team. The work they produce is exactly the kind of thing I love. Although people (including myself sometimes!) struggle to understand it I can only describe it as a good thing because it means I'm still thinking about it and I saw it a week ago! Overall, a really powerful, intense and mesmerising performance that I simply couldn't take my eyes off.

ZooNation: Some Like it Hip Hop

Sadler's Wells is definitely one of my absolute favourite theatres. I first went there to see Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands in 2007 and have been going back ever since and have never been disappointed by any production I've seen! I would recommend this theatre to anyone. There's always a variety of productions on ranging from ballet to hip hop to bollywood and more. It's fantastic!

At the beginning of May 2013 I went to Peacock Theatre to see the company Zoonation's dance show 'Some Like it Hip Hop' (directed, written and choreographed by Kate Prince) which was massively entertaining. It is a story of 'love, mistaken identity and revolution and where women are kept subservient to men.' It was full of extremely talented dancers, musicians and singers who all portrayed their character's personality through their choreography - this in particular was very enjoyable to watch.

I loved the aspect of having infectious live music (written by DJ Walde, Josh Cohen and Kate Prince) incorporated into the performance and choreography. It really brought the show to life and had us all up, dancing and singing along at the end of the show. All in all a really fantastic and fun show suitable for a wide age range that hit many emotional levels making us laugh, cry, be amazed and left us singing and dancing into the night - a real feel-good show!

Book tickets here. If you go on a Tuesday or Thursday you can go to a post show 30 minute dance class teaching basic street dance steps with the cast!