Akram Khan on 'Thikra: Night of Remembering,' Feminine Rituals, and the Art of Time

Inspiration from the Saudi Desert

• 🏜️ Akram Khan's latest production, "Thikra: Night of Remembering," draws inspiration from the Nabataean tribes of the Saudi Arabian desert.
• 🤝 The creation is a collaboration with Saudi artist Manal Al Dowayan, whose work in Alula initially captivated Khan.
• 💡 Khan was drawn to Al Dowayan's concept of using circular trampolines in the desert to evoke a childlike quality.

The All-Woman Production and Feminine Gaze

• 💃 The performance features an all-woman cast, a significant choice given the cultural context of public performances in Saudi Arabia.
• 👩‍👧 Khan explains that his protagonists are always women, stemming from his upbringing influenced by his mother, a myth collector who focused on female perspectives.
• 🔗 The production explores regional traditions, matriarchal structures, and storytelling, with a particular focus on the metaphorical significance of hair in dance and connection to ancestors.

Dance, Climate Change, and Legacy

• 🌳 Khan's adaptation of "The Jungle Book" centered on climate change, inspired by his daughter's questions about reducing the production's carbon footprint.
• ⏳ He reflects on the legacy of director Peter Brook, emphasizing his ability to make audiences experience "nature time" rather than industrial or clock time, fostering a deeper engagement.
• 👂 Khan notes a modern loss in the art of listening and shortened attention spans, a concept he feels Brook helped distill.

Future Artistic Endeavors

• 🎭 After 25 years, Khan is retiring from performing with his company's final touring production and is excited about new projects, including "Lady Macbeth" with the Royal Danish Ballet.
• 🌍 He is developing a new structure for his work that focuses on the legacy and echoes beyond the theater, aiming for a more profound impact in the communities where performances take place.