In partnership with the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), the British Council presented performances of Sonia Sabri Company's contemporary UK dance production in Abu Dhabi and Dubai during February 2011.
Kathak is one of the best known classical dance styles of India, encompassing movement, gesture, expression, music, spoken word and drama as well as dance.
The Sonia Sabri Company has developed its own innovative style, 'Urban Kathak' which expresses the unique, diverse energy of modern Britain, adding poetry, movement and hip hop into the mix.
The performances of were preceded by a week-long workshop residency in universities and schools. Led by artists, the workshops encouraged students to try out the concept of using art as a creative language of self-expression, through movement, poetry, music, rhythm and speech.
Michel Bechara, Director of Projects, British Council, UAE commented:
‘This is the first time in our staff’s memory that the British Council has supported dance performances in the Middle East region and the residency by Sonia Sabri will be the biggest audience development project we have ever worked in here in the UAE. Our aim is to engage local audiences, students and artists by initiating a series of workshops and conversations around Kathakbox by exploring the richness of poetry and movement. Traditional dance in UAE is also a coming together of movement and poetry, and it will be fascinating to show a contemporary take on the influences.’
Sonia Sabri is well known as one of the brightest British-born dance-makers working today. Her work spans from classical North Indian Kathak to explorations of contemporary approaches, and reflects her appreciation of Indian and British cultures.
makes music with no instruments, using the human body and voice and drawing on urban trends and global traditions. Dancers create music and musicians create movement while each tells their own individual story through spoken and unspoken languages: rhythm, movement, poetry and rap in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.
Sonia Sabri said about the tour:
‘It is tremendously exciting for us to be given the opportunity to perform to audiences in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. We are committed to sowing the seeds of creativity in the next generation and we hope to inspire people.’
Our local partner in the project, ADACH, was established to develop Abu Dhabi’s cultural heritage and to lead cultural development within the region. Internationally it is contributing to the strengthening of intercultural dialogue and the appreciation of different cultures by developing projects that encourage the sharing of cultural traditions and experience.
This project is part of a wider British Council arts programme in the Middle East in which we are working with partners to share the innovation and creativity of contemporary UK culture and open up the arts to more young people in the region. Other projects include Gulf Stage, an innovative partnership with Digital Theatre that’s bringing theatre from the Gulf to a wider audience via cutting edge UK innovation and digital practice, and a tour of Akram Khan’s to Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories later this year.
Kathakbox dates/venues:
February 26
International Premiere at World Stage Festival at Abu Dhabi Theatre, Abu Dhabi
February 28
Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre, Dubai
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