Critique 3 - Akram Khan: Zero Degrees

Zero Degrees is an acclaimed and successful collaboration between choreographers Akram Khan and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is a renowned Belgian-Moroccan contemporary choreographer and founder of his company, entitled Eastman. Khan and Cherkaoui are both “sons of Islamic families brought up in Europe, and both draw upon this meeting of cultures, combining complex Indian Kathak dance with the speed and precision of contemporary movements.” (Akram Khan Company, 2015). Both contemporary choreographers unite together and explore their similarities through an art form that pushes the boundaries of what dance can and can’t include.

(Fernandez, J. 2005)

Upon watching the performance, I found that it was very moving. I felt there was a sense of intimacy and a connection between the two choreographers and the audience, due to the use of Verbatim theatre within the performance. Verbatim theatre is a type of theatre that acts almost as a documentary; the words spoken within this style of theatre are precise and directly from an interview / article. The performer has to replicate each exact tonal quality, pauses, stutters etc that the person they are copying said within their interview. Because this performance explores the personal lives of both choreographers and their split nationalities, they both perform a monologue of a story Khan recalls about his identity. Both men sit on the floor facing the audience, talking directly at them as they (in unison) perform gestures and motifs that represent the story they are communicating. As an audience member, I felt this was very effective. I found it successful in communicating the personal struggles both men face as they stripped back to just words and simple gestures on stage. I found this to be unique as dance is about conveying storytelling through movement, however I believe that the inclusion of drama techniques and speaking live on stage to be very innovative and creative. I felt it left more of an impact on me as it isn’t something seen in everyday dance performances, showing how both choreographers are blurring the boundaries of what dance can and can’t include.

(Poupene, A. 2005)

The production features are bold and original. I liked the image of the stage split in half, with two sides to the stage, to enhance the stimuli of their dual identities and how they “search for the middle point” (Eastman, 2019). Both dancers wear the same costumes but in different colours; Khan is in a brown t-shirt and harem trousers, with Cherkaoui wearing the same but in a grey colour. I interpreted this as embodying both their contrasting nationalities, and the idea that they are two very different cultures but they embrace both and are a part of their identity, so they wear it to show pride. What is also interesting is the props. There are two white life-size dummies on the stage which the two choreographers constantly interact with. At one instance, Khan is lying on the floor in the same position as one of the dummies. Cherkaoui kicks the dummy in the chest and Khan reacts as if he has just been kicked in the same spot. I found this interesting and effective. The dummies clearly are a replica of each individual dancer, perhaps acting as their alter egos / opposing identities which brings them pain or misery perhaps. Whilst this happens on stage, the music prolongs in a slow tempo and in a minor key, making the atmosphere more melancholic and sad. I found this impacted my mood and withdrew sympathy as well as a sense of sorrow. I thought this was effective as it made me feel quite broken and helpless, matching Khan’s energy as he lay motionless on the floor, breathless and still.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the choreography unfold and found the intentions were successfully communicated, with both choreographers blending their styles together to create some more abstract yet effective work within the performance.

References 

Akram Khan Company (2015). Zero Degrees. Available at zero degrees - Akram Khan Company [Accessed 30th November 2021] 

Akram Khan Company (2017). Zero Degrees / Akram Khan & Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui - trailer. Video. Available at zero degrees / Akram Khan & Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui - trailer - YouTube [Accessed 30th November 2021] 

Fernandez, J. (2005). Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Sadler's Wells, London. Available at zero degrees - Akram Khan Company 

Poupene, A. (2005). Akram Khan & Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui in Zero Degrees. Sadler's Wells, London. Available at Akram Khan: Colourful career of a cool creator - EasternEye


Bibliography

Akram Khan Company (2015). Zero Degrees. Available at zero degrees - Akram Khan Company [Accessed 30th November 2021] 

Akram Khan Company (2017). Zero Degrees / Akram Khan & Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui - trailer. Video. Available at zero degrees / Akram Khan & Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui - trailer - YouTube [Accessed 30th November 2021]

Eastman (2019). Project / Zero Degrees. Available at Eastman | Overview (east-man.be). [Accessed 30th November 2021]

Fernandez, J. (2005). Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Sadler's Wells, London. Available at zero degrees - Akram Khan Company

Poupene, A. (2005). Akram Khan & Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui in Zero Degrees. Sadler's Wells, London. Available at Akram Khan: Colourful career of a cool creator - EasternEye 

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