Mesmerising and Mystical Rating
Good
Sadler’s Wells presents Thikra: Night of Remembering. Associate artist Akram Khan in collaboration with renowned artist Manal AlDowayan has reimagined the entwined histories from the spice route, Mother Earth and the customs and dance heritage of early civilisations and the women of Alula today. Their searing passion for their art brings the history and music of Saudi Arabia together with the dance styles of Bharatanatyam and contemporary to weave a story of memory, movement and generational transference.
Before the auditorium darkens, we hear the thrumming of the music (Aditya Prakash and Gareth Fry). The hypnotic music swells, dominating the chatter of the audience. As the space darkens, the music surrenders to the birdsong of Alula: a desert city in Saudi Arabia and World Heritage site with 7,000 years of history and mysticism of ancient civilisation. The music continues to challenge as it sweeps from soundscapes to the deep chorus of the London Bulgarian Choir, and further to the haunting voice of Sushma Soma’s ‘The Elephant’s Funeral’.
The imposing cave of ancestors emerges from the gloom, molten red and orange lighting (Zeynep Kepekli) glowing as lava from the depths of the earth. The masked matriarch (Azusa Seyama Prioville) gradually becomes visible, discarding her mask and jewels, resplendent in crimson. Our matriarch evokes the ancestor spirit (Ching-Ying Chien), attired in white and gold, from the ancient wisdom of the tribal knowledge rock. The ancestor spirit subsequently possesses the ‘chosen one’ or ‘vessel’ (Samantha Hines) in black. With the commitment and passion of the matriarch’s sisters, the dance of time plays out, exposing the knowledge rock, the transference of energies through ancient rhythms, pulsating movement and stark contrasting staccato movements. The principals portray athleticism, sinuous intensity and relentless power. The 7-strong ensemble provides an elegant foil and structure to the central pieces. Their collaborative endeavours create shifts in pace, emotion and even scenery as the story unfolds.
Thikra depicts the cyclical nature of mythology, compelling the audience to witness the emerging ritual transitions. Through the tradition of Bharatanatyam (ancient South Indian classical dance) and European contemporary, dancers revel in their feminine energy and strength through disciplined structure, formidable energy and seemingly effortless engagement with one another.
The eloquence of choreography is demanding and insistent. The fluency of dance is enhanced by incredible hairography; swaying, flicking, curling and tensing individually and collectively. Chien is particularly impressive at extending from the tips of her hair to the extremities of her toes which hold her hair captive, straining yet strong. Hines’ athleticism and sinuous command of the stage is both beautiful and malevolent, with tarantula-like poise and effortlessness.
Originally performed in Alula under desert skies, the transference of Thikra to the stage in its UK debut is welcome, provocative and profound. Whilst the integration of dance styles is beautiful, often delicate nuance of dance and expression are masked by excessive shadowy lighting. Equally, the thrumming insistence of the music and soundscapes are occasionally too loud and imposing, the melancholic keening and taut musical notes feeling harsh and unrelenting.
This creative retelling of women across time and continents is vibrant and elegant. The intensity of dance and hairography obscures the underlying story of rituals and history which fuelled the creation of Thikra. In fusing the disciplined structure of traditional Indian dance and European contemporary fluidity, it embodies Khan’s intention to “approach everything in a metaphoric and spiritual rather than a linear and visible way … allowing people to feel the meaning for themselves.”
Directed and Choreography by Akram Khan
Visual Director, Costume and Scenography by Manal AlDowayan
Music Composed and Soundscapes by Aditya Prakash
Sound Design by Gareth Fry
Lighting Design by Zeynep Kepekli
Dramaturg by Blue Pieta
Thikra: Night of Remembering plays at Sadler’s Wells until Saturday 1 November.
