SHSH

Sacred Monster was first premiered in 2006, and after eight years and 87 performances, Akram Khan and Sylvie Guillem return to Sadler’s Wells, where they had started their journey.

Sacred Monsters by choreographer Akram Khan and dancer Sylvie Guillem explores the dancers’ childhood memories and voice for experiment with a strong base of the classical tradition.

"To be in the position where you can reach out to both, is the best place for me."

Akram Khan

During the rehearsals, the choreographers connect beautiful high quality fluid body movements with a balanced traditional and contemporary expression. The scenography is one continuous line inspired by wave mechanics, a contradictory unity between gravity and lightness, an eternal image of their dance expression. The design creates an ambience reminiscent of an anonymous location, still gathering a sacred unity from both Tradition and Contemporary reality, Weight and Lightness, West and East, and Privacy and Stardom, behind this honest and straightforward choreography.

This major work has received outstanding reviews. The tour premiered in 2006 and is still touring today. It has performed in over 17 different countries and over 30 venues including Sadler's Wells Theatre (London), La Monnaie Royal Opera House (Brussels), at Théâtre des Champs-Elysées (Paris), the Sydney Opera House and Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.

Choreography : Sylvie Guillem’s solo by Lin Hwai Min, Khan’s solo by Gauri Sharma Tripathi and Akram Khan

Music : Phillip Sheppard

Lighting : Mikki Kunttu

Scenography: Shizuka Hariu / SHSH

Costume : Kei Ito

Co-producers: Sadler's Wells (London) Grand Theatre de Luxembourg, Les Nuits de Fourviere/Département du Rhône (Lyon), Missno Limited : Supported by Arts Council England, The Quercus Trust, The Bell Cohen Charitable Trust