Akram Khan Company - Thikra: Night of Remembering

For the December issue of PLASA LSi, I was privileged to visit Sadler's Wells to see Akram Khan Company’s Thikra: Night of Remembering – a contemporary dance production that was simply breathtaking.

Originally conceived and performed as a site-specific work in the remote Saudi Arabian desert, 4km from the nearest power source, it is rooted in memory and ritual and led by an all‑female international cast. Now reimagined as a touring production, I met and spoke with the creative team about designing the original desert show, and how the inspiration found there translated into a tourable indoor production.

Huge thanks to technical manager Michael Cunningham; lighting designer Zeynep Kepekli with her beautiful, atmospheric design; sound designer Gareth Fry, whose choices root the audio within the story while embodying intense power; and composer Aditya Prakash, whose insights into the extraordinary soundtrack were fascinating. Everyone was a joy to speak with on a production that was personally deeply moving and inspirational - thanks so much to everyone for their time and insights! Thanks also to Chelsea at the Akram Khan Company for helping to facilitate the article.