Review: GIGENIS: The generation of the earth, Sadler’s Wells

Review: GIGENIS: The generation of the earth, Sadler’s Wells

Summary

Rating

80

Excellent

A stunning show that demands attention. Tradition is honoured through exquisite dance, the message amplified by 21st century technology with dazzling, visceral impact.

Undoubtedly one of the UK’s foremost choreographers, Akram Kahn returns this week to the Sadler’s Wells stage for the UK premiere of GIGENIS: The generation of the Earth. In this production, he not only choreographs but also directs and performs with six outstanding artists of Indian classical dance, accompanied by live music from seven incredible musicians.

Blending the traditional with the contemporary, Kahn sets out to recall a time when humans were more connected to the Earth, using themes from the Mahabarata, along with ideas of war, chaos and harmony. Of course, being the extraordinary creative that he is, it’s not that straightforward. He innovatively brings past and present together, celebrating meticulous, traditional Indian dance, firstly by giving it visibility on an international stage. Then, by framing it in thoroughly modern technology, Kahn plugs tradition straight into the 21st century, allowing it timeless new relevance. 

The intergenerational nature of the cast complements an eternal tale as a lone woman loses her husband, which is followed by a feud between her sons and more ensuing death. She repeats the mantra “In another time I was…”, moving from daughter, to wife, to mother in a poignant, cyclical reminder that there are many different possible ways of being. The dance is exquisite, the performers capturing an eternity of emotion in intricate, detailed motion: joy, fear, anger, disappointment and anguish are tangible in the intricate footwork and expressive faces. Their human forms are sometimes reminiscent of temple sculptures, evoking deity, and the movement simultaneously embraces ideas of memory, spirituality and ancient rites as bodies become elemental – hands fluttering as flames or in flight. 

GIGENIS is a phenomenally sensory performance. As the show begins, the audience is plunged into absolute darkness, our known world resetting. The sheer volume of the music and song is painful, shaking both the auditorium and the audience into life. Seats tremble beneath us as the rumbling sound resonates – a metaphorical storm. Yet it subsides to recognise a clear, pulsing human heartbeat beneath. Reimagining the traditional artform, chanting, sung live and amplified through the microphone, creates a sense of almost hip hop delivery; cultures and timelines intermingle viscerally. Moments of silence are woven in, in which to breathe or in which to hold your breath.

Visually, the show is captivating. Zeynep Kepekli’s stark, architectural lighting picks out each performer, creating isolation and timeless connection simultaneously. At moments the lights become dazzling, such that you have to close your eyes to the energy emitted: the audience has no choice but to be actively engaged. The colours of the earth – muted greens, browns and yellows – are present in Peggy Housset’s wonderfully fluid costume design.

Kahn’s production is striking and urgent; its themes demand attention as it questions ideas of conflict and the human impact of war. It uses tradition to create a sense of collective human universality – to offer commentary on today’s society and question if chaos or harmony are preferable, and why the choice to be at war is prevalent in a contemporary world. It is also intensely beautiful and will undoubtedly leave you both thoughtful and breathtaken.

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Directed by: Akram Khan
Light design by: Zeynep Kepekli
Music orchestration by: Jyotsna Prakash
Sound design by: Dave Price
Sound Engineed by: Mark Webber
Rehearsal direction by: Nicky Henshall
Technical direction by: Michael Cunningham
Stage Management by: Marek Pomocki
Costume by: Peggy Housset
Produced by: Vony Sarfati

Dancers:
Akram Khan
Sirikalyani Adkoli
Renjith Babu
Mavin Khoo
Mythili Prakash
Vijna Vasudevan
Kapila Venu

Musicians and Vocals:
BC Manjunath (percussions Mridangam)
Kalamandalam Rajeev (percussions Mizhavu)
Hariraam Lam (violin)
Nina Harries (double bass)
Sohini Alam (vocals)
Chitra Poornima Sathish (vocals)
Rohith Jayaraman (vocals)

GIGENIS is produced by Productions Sarfati.

GIGENIS plays at Sadler’s Wells until Sunday 24th November. Further information and booking are available here.