According to Akram Khan, this feature-length solo for a large stage is his most personal piece to date. The outstanding choreographer comes from a Bengali immigrant family and grew up in Wembley, London. For a long time he knew his home country only from stories, but even when he was still at school Khan was an enthusiastic kathak dancer. At the age of 14 he landed a role in Peter Brook’s theatrical event “The Mahabharata”. In “DESH” (English: “home country”) the multi award-winning artist not only addresses the tragic and the comical aspects of the land of his ancestors but also examines the traces of Bengali culture inside himself. The impressive stage design was created by Tim Yip, who won an Academy Award for his art direction of the film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. With powerful images and masterful dancing, “Desh” tells a story about a life shaped by two cultures and a double identity, but also about a call centre and Khan’s strong ties to his father.
July 16 + 18, 2013 | 21:00 | Burgtheater
