A year of change for choreographer Aakash Odedra

“#JeSuis explores the refugee crisis, the West’s xenophobic response and threats to freedom of speech.”

2017 is a year of change and expansion for choreographer Aakash Odedra as he takes on a number of diverse projects, both for his own company and with some notable collaborators.

First is a preview of the new ground-breaking production titled ‘#JeSuis’, which includes a group of eight Turkish dancers aged between 24 and 42 that Odedra met when he did a workshop at Mimar State University in Istanbul.

Commenting on ‘#JeSuis’, Odedra says: “Life is getting more unpredictable in Istanbul with growing fear and anxiety for many.

“There is an incredible physical tension these dancers carry and they speak so eloquently about their situation.

“This provokes me to work harder with them.”

#JeSuis explores the refugee crisis, the West’s xenophobic response and threats to freedom of speech. “

Odedra’s research for the piece included a visit to the Skaramagas refugee camp in Athens.

Odedra latest double-bill has its London premiere at the Lilian Baylis Studio Theatre in March.

Aditi Mangaldas’ ‘Echoes’ – a high-octane, pure Kathak solo for Odedra, is paired with Odedra’s own ‘I Imagine’ – a collaboration with the award-winning poet, Sabrina Mahfouz. Mahfouz’s words explore the journey of migrants and their first and second generation offspring.

April sees Odedra in a research and development period with Chinese dancer Hu Shenyuan who was seen in London last year in Yang Liping’s ‘Under Siege’ at Sadler’s Wells.

Ravi Shankar’s only opera ‘Sukanya’ which has its posthumous world premiere at Curve in Leicester later in the year, is also getting Odedra’s choreography.

The opera is named after Shankar’s wife and tells the story of the Princess Sukanya from ancient Hindu legend.

The semi-staged production stars soprano Susanna Hurrell in the title role and features a further five principal singers, five dancers, five Indian musicians, a chorus and the London Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of David Murphy who completed Shankar’s score. It is directed by Curve’s associate director, Suba Das.

Following a successful application to Arts Council England’s Reimagine India programme, Odedra will continue to work with Curve in 2017 on the development of Amana Fontanella-Khan’s critically acclaimed narrative account ‘Pink Sari Revolution’ for the stage.

Odedra continues his involvement with the dance school Shiamak Midlands run by his guru, Shiamak Davar.

Shiamak Midlands operates in five towns and cities across the Midlands delivering high level Bollywood dance to over 300 students every week.

Students have performed at the IIFA Awards in Madrid and for David Cameron and Narendra Modi at Wembley Stadium.

Listings

Friday 3 & Saturday 4 March at 8pm

#jesuis at Sampled

Birmingham Hippodrome

Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB

Ticket Office: 0844 338 5000

Tickets: £15 (concessions available)

www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Thursday 9 & Friday 10 March at 8pm

Echoes/I Imagine

Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells

Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4TN

Box Office: 0844 412 4300

Tickets: £17 (concessions available)

www.sadlerswells.com

Post-show talk on Thursday 9 March

Friday 12 May at 7.30pm

Sukanya

Curve, Leicester

Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1SB

Ticket Office: 0116 242 3595

Tickets: £10 – £32.50 plus booking fee (concessions available)

www.curveonline.co.uk

Sunday 14 May at 7.30pm

Sukanya

The Lowry. Salford

Pier 8, Salford Quays M50 3AZ

Ticket Office: 0843 208 6000

Tickets: £17 – £43.50 including booking fee (concessions available)

www.thelowry.com

Monday 15 May at 7.30pm

Sukanya

Symphony Hall, Birmingham

8 Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 2EA

Ticket Office: 0121 780 3333

Tickets: £12.50 – £42 including booking fee (concessions available)

www.thsh.co.uk

Friday 19 May at 7.30pm

Sukanya

Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London

Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX

Ticket Office: 020 7960 4200

Tickets: £15 – £50 plus booking fee (concessions available)

www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Tuesday 13 June at 7.30pm

Echoes/I Imagine

Djanogly Theatre, Nottingham

Lakeside Arts, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD

Box office 0115 846 7777

www.lakesidearts.org.uk