Critique 2 - Akram Khan: Dust

Dust is a collaborative piece between renowned choreographer Akram Khan alongside Tamara Rojo and the dancers of the established classical ballet company, The English National Ballet. The piece encapsulates the brutal and horrid nature of World War 1, which Khan states he wanted to explore the “concept of trenches” (Khan, A. 2014) as well as the “huge social shift towards women” (Khan, A. 2014) seen within this period of time. Throughout the piece as a whole, I thought the choreography clearly and effectively demonstrated the themes and starting points of the piece, which ultimately left a much bigger impact on my experience when watching this fantastic piece. (Liotardo, L. 2014)

Upon initial reaction of the piece, the opening of the piece successfully enhanced the setting and themes behind the piece. The dancers individually walk on stage gazing down towards the floor, with a sense of shoulders dropped and hunched over. The music was silent to focus on the dancers, which I found significant as I accumulated a sense of sorrow whilst watching. It felt grave as well as exuding a solemn tone; I found this rather effective as it brilliantly replicated the gloomy and miserable atmosphere that would have been present during WW1. As the dancers of the company infiltrate and filter onto the stage, they all form a horizontal line from stage left to right, facing the audience, in which they abruptly clasp their hands in front of their face. As they do this, they each throw specs of dust as they go to clasp their hands. I found this was highly powerful to start the performance with; it brilliantly replicates the dust and ashes seen within the trenches (from bombings) as well as the dust that built up in the factories. I believe that Khan intentionally started off the performance by painting a significant image into the minds of the audience to remind them about the historical nature of where it is set, as well as impressively setting the overall tone for the piece right from the beginning. One may interpret further that the use of actual dust particles on stage were to represent the loss of loved ones during this time era, and that when the dancers clasp their hands they are trying to hold onto that memory; this effectively created a sense of longing and loss, adding to the sorrowful and grievous atmosphere.

(Morgan, D. 2014)

Another significant section within the performance is when the female dancers only occupy the space on stage. There are a few sections where this happens, and it is to replicate the men being forced to fight in the war, leaving the women behind to take care of themselves. There is a motif repeated by the female dancers in a few sections which I found left an almighty impact when watching as an audience member. The dancers raised their hands in a flexed position (above their heads) and with splayed fingers furthermore. This was rather effective as it created a powerful image of the women using their bare hands to work day after day to support their families in this time period. This, undoubtedly, was empowering as it emphasised the graft and hard labour which women were forced into during the horrid events which were happening in the battlefields. This was a message that Khan wanted to reinforce within the work to recognise and remember the women of this time who are normally overlooked during the time of remembrance.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed how Khan shone a light on the women within the period of WW1 by sharing the hard labour and work they endured to support their families; I felt I was being further educated on the historical events of WW1 in a creative and innovative manner. The performance made me admire and respect Khan and the dancers of the English National Ballet due to the careful consideration and treatment of themes and movement, in addition to the authentic portrayal of emotion and expressionism seen throughout.

References Akram Khan Company (2015). Dust / English National Ballet. Available at DUST / English National Ballet - Akram Khan Company. [accessed 21st November 2021] 

Liotardo, L. (2014). English National Ballet in Dust by Akram Khan. Sadler's Wells, London. Available at English National Ballet – Lest We Forget bill – London – DanceTabs

Morgan, D. (2014). Dust by Akram Khan and the dancers of ENB. Taken on April 1, Sadler's Wells, London. Available at Dust: ENB dancers | Dust by Akram Khan see www.dancetabs.com… | Flickr

Bibliography 

Akram Khan Company (2015). Dust / English National Ballet. Available at DUST / English National Ballet - Akram Khan Company. [accessed 21st November 2021] 

English National Ballet (2018). Akram Khan's Dust (extract) / English National Ballet. Video. Available at Akram Khan's Dust (extract) | English National Ballet - YouTube. [Accessed on 21st November 2021] 

Liotardo, L. (2014). English National Ballet in Dust by Akram Khan. Sadler's Wells, London. Available at English National Ballet – Lest We Forget bill – London – DanceTabs

Morgan, D. (2014). Dust by Akram Khan and the dancers of ENB. Taken on April 1, Sadler's Wells, London. Available at Dust: ENB dancers | Dust by Akram Khan see www.dancetabs.com… | Flickr