Akram Khan Company: Thikra – Night of Remembering review – forget the meaning, feel the colour and emotion

Akram Khan Company's 'Thikra' is a visceral experience that strips away meaning to leave only the raw emotions of colour and movement. The 60-minute piece, set in the vast outdoors of Wadi AlFann, harnesses its natural beauty to heighten the impact of the choreography.

Khan's graphic sense shines through in the bold lines and satisfying cuts of his dancers' movements, like a painter splashing colours on a canvas. It is crisply danced by an all-female cast with long hair swishing in unison, evoking a sense of unity and collective energy.

At its core, 'Thikra' tells a mythological tale of rebirth and healing, where a young woman dressed in white (Ching-Ying Chien) serves as the ancestral vessel. But Khan and collaborator Manal AlDowayan's narrative is far from dreamy or soft – it's a place of raw anger and searching, tempered by moments of breathtaking beauty.

Performances are compelling, with standout roles played by Azusa Seyama Prioville as the matriarch and Nikita Goile as one of her daughters. But it's Samantha Hines who brings a sense of unsettling unease to her character, like a beastly scavenger picking over Chien's body – a chilling portrayal that hints at the darker aspects of human nature.

In 'Thikra', Khan seems to be working on instinct rather than trying to unravel its meaning. It's not about deciphering complex symbolism or exploring abstract themes – it's about tapping into something primal and universal, a language that transcends words and rational thought.

I just watched this Akram Khan Company piece 'Thikra' and honestly I'm still trying to process it... The way the dancers move with these bold lines & cuts is like a painter splashing colors on a canvas , but what struck me most was how raw & emotional it felt. The story's got this mythological vibe going on but it's not all pretty - there's this anger & searching that feels real . And that performance by Samantha Hines? Chilling as hell . It's like Khan's tapped into something primal & universal, a language that goes beyond words . I love how the dancers' long hair swishes in unison, it adds to the sense of unity & collective energy . But what really got me thinking was how 'Thikra' doesn't try to unravel its meaning or be all deep & symbolic - it just feels... raw .

I gotta say, this piece is like nothing I've ever seen before . The way Akram Khan uses the vast outdoors of Wadi AlFann to heighten the impact of the choreography is pure genius - it's like he's tapping into something primal and raw. I mean, the all-female cast with long hair swishing in unison is so mesmerizing, it gives me chills every time .

But what really gets me is how Khan strips away meaning to leave only the raw emotions of colour and movement. It's like he's saying, "Forget about interpretation, just feel it" . And that's exactly what 'Thikra' does - it's a visceral experience that'll leave you breathless and wondering what just happened.

I love how Khan and his collaborator Manal AlDowayan's narrative is all about raw anger and searching, tempered by moments of breathtaking beauty . It's like they're speaking straight to your soul. And the performances? Wow, standouts like Azusa Seyama Prioville and Nikita Goile are phenomenal, but Samantha Hines' portrayal is just chilling .

For me, 'Thikra' feels like a language that transcends words and rational thought - it's an experience that'll leave you feeling something deep inside . And I think that's what makes it so powerful.

omg u guys i just watched thikra by akram khan company and i'm still reeling from the emotional experience! the way they use colour and movement to tap into raw emotions is EVERYTHING it's like a visceral hug for your soul. the choreo is SO sharp & satisfying, i loved how the dancers' movements looked like bold brushstrokes on canvas . and the cast, oh my gosh, all those long-haired ladies swishing around in unison is like a collective energy . but what really got me was the narrative - it's not about soft, dreamy vibes; it's raw, angry, & searching with these standout roles that just give you chills

man i just watched this dance piece 'thikra' by akram khan company and i'm still reeling from the experience it was like nothing i've ever seen before - these dancers just moved in ways that felt raw and unbridled, like they were tapping into something deep within themselves. the music was this pulsing heartbeat that just kept going and going, and the way the lights were used was so bold and striking it's funny you say it doesn't have a clear meaning - for me, it felt like it was tapping into some kind of primal energy or something, like we're all connected on this basic level. i loved how one dancer played this character that seemed so angry and broken, but also somehow healing?

I don’t usually comment but I have to say Akram Khan Company’s 'Thikra' is giving me the chills . The way they use natural beauty to heighten the impact of the choreography is just mesmerizing. I love how it's all about raw emotions, no frills or fancy explanations needed. Samantha Hines’ character is seriously unnerving , I mean who needs words when you can convey that kind of unease through movement? It feels like Khan and his collaborator are tapping into something deep within us, you know? Like a primal scream that we can all relate to . And have you noticed how the long hair movements create this sense of unity among the dancers? I don’t think I fully understand the mythological tale but somehow it works for me

I'm low-key obsessed with Akram Khan Company's 'Thikra' - the way the dancers move is like a whirlwind of emotions ! It's so visceral, you can feel the raw energy from the get-go . The setting in Wadi AlFann takes it to another level - I mean, who needs words when nature itself is giving you all the drama and beauty?

And can we talk about Samantha Hines' performance? She's like a force of nature, bringing this unsettling unease to her character. It's so not easy to watch, but in a good way... like, I was totally on the edge of my seat .

I love how Khan is all about tapping into something primal and universal - no need for fancy symbolism or abstract themes . Just raw emotion, movement, and that stunning natural beauty. It's like he's speaking a language we can all understand, you know?

I'm OBSESSED with this new piece by Akram Khan Company ! The way the dancers move is like nothing I've ever seen before - so raw and emotional, it's like you can feel the emotions radiating from them . And that setting in Wadi AlFann? Absolutely breathtaking .

The choreography is like a work of art, with bold lines and sharp cuts that leave me speechless . I love how the whole cast comes together to create this sense of unity and energy - it's like you're right there with them on stage . And the mythological story behind it? It's so much deeper than just a pretty narrative - it's got real emotional weight to it .

The performances are top-notch, especially that girl Samantha Hines who plays this unsettling character . She's got this presence on stage that's hard to shake off. But what really gets me is how Khan doesn't try to overthink the whole thing - he just taps into something primal and universal, you know? It's like we can all relate to it on a deeper level .

I'm low-key obsessed with Akram Khan Company's 'Thikra' - the visuals are insane! I mean, who wouldn't be moved by an all-female cast dancing like they're possessed in those long hair-unison moments? It's like they're tapping into something ancient and primal. The way Ching-Ying Chien's character is like a vessel for rebirth & healing feels so powerful... but at the same time, I'm left wondering if it's just me being too invested in the emotional rollercoaster . And Samantha Hines' performance? Yaaas, that scene where she's picking over her sister's body gives me THE CHILLS . But honestly, is it really about exploring deeper meaning or are we just watching a raw, visceral experience? I'm not sure, but I do know I need more of this in my life

I'm so unsure if I just loved this dance piece 'Thikra' or totally overrated it ... I mean, the choreography was insane, those dancers were like animals in motion , but at the same time, it felt kinda disjointed? Like, what's the point of all that raw emotion if we can't even understand the story behind it . And don't get me wrong, Akram Khan is a genius, but I'm not sure if his style is for everyone... I mean, some parts were mesmerizing, like that girl Samantha Hines's character was so unsettling , but others just felt kinda... meh? ... Can we appreciate art without trying to decipher its meaning or are we just reading too much into it?

I loved watching this piece live ! The way the dancers moved in sync with the natural environment was mesmerizing... I mean, can you think of any other place where you could have an all-female dance troupe with long hair swishing around like that? Wadi AlFann must've been the perfect backdrop for it

And I completely agree about Akram Khan's choreography – the way he uses bold lines and cuts to convey emotion is just genius . But what struck me was how raw and visceral the performance felt, like you were right there in the Wadi AlFann with them... did they use a lot of improvisation in the piece? I felt like some of the moments felt really spontaneous

I also loved the way Ching-Ying Chien's character served as this sort of ancestral vessel – it was so interesting to watch her interact with the other dancers, especially Azusa Seyama Prioville and Nikita Goile. And then there was Samantha Hines... I mean, she totally brought this sense of unease to her role that just made my skin crawl

It's funny you say Khan is working on instinct rather than trying to unravel its meaning – at the same time, it feels like he's tapping into something really deep and primal with 'Thikra'. Like, have you ever seen a dance piece that's just been so perfectly in sync with nature?

I'm like totally torn about Akram Khan Company's 'Thikra'... I mean, the way the dancers move is so mesmerizing and raw, it's like they're channeling this wild energy from the desert itself! But at the same time, I think the choreography can come across as a bit too simplistic, you know? It's all about those bold lines and colours, but what if it's just a bunch of movements strung together without any real depth or substance?

And don't even get me started on the narrative... I mean, I love how it's all about this ancestral vessel and rebirth stuff, but is it really that deep? Or is it just a fancy way of saying "we're exploring human emotions through dance"? And what's up with those standout roles? I mean, Azusa Seyama Prioville is awesome as the matriarch, but Nikita Goile's character feels like she's just phoning it in... or is that the point?

OMG, I am SOOOO here for the raw emotion of 'Thikra' ! The way Akram Khan Company strips away all the extra jazz to leave just colour, movement, and energy is literally genius ! The dancers are like a painter splashing colours on a canvas , and I love how they're not trying to hide anything – it's like they're being completely genuine and vulnerable at the same time.

And can we talk about the cast? An all-female cast with long hair is just so stunning , it feels like unity and collective energy are palpable on stage. But what really gets me is how 'Thikra' taps into something primal and universal – it's not trying to be some deep or pretentious piece of art , it's just raw emotion and truth. I need more of this in my life right now!

I'm thoroughly enthralled by the visceral experience of Akram Khan Company's 'Thikra' . The way Khan harnesses the natural beauty of Wadi AlFann to heighten the impact of his choreography is nothing short of masterful. The all-female cast, with their long hair swishing in unison, exudes a sense of unity and collective energy that's simply captivating .

But what resonates most with me is the way Khan taps into something primal and universal – a language that transcends words and rational thought . It's as if he's stripping away meaning to reveal only the raw emotions of colour and movement, leaving the audience to tap into their own emotional reservoirs .

For me, 'Thikra' is less about deciphering complex symbolism or exploring abstract themes, and more about creating a sense of shared human experience . The performances are indeed compelling, with standout roles played by Azusa Seyama Prioville and Nikita Goile . But it's Samantha Hines who brings a sense of unsettling unease to her character that really gets under your skin .

I'm low-key obsessed with Akram Khan Company's 'Thikra' ! The way the dancers move is like a symphony of emotions - it's like you can feel the raw energy pulsing through the stage . And that woman in white, Ching-Ying Chien, she's just... captivating . I love how the choreo is all about movement and colour , no need for fancy explanations or whatever . It's like Khan's tapping into something deep inside us all - a language that doesn't require words, you know? And that performance by Samantha Hines... yikes! Still, I'm here for more of this visceral experience . The female cast is strong as hell , and I love how they're all united in their individuality . Khan's got a gift, for sure .

I just watched this Akram Khan Company piece 'Thikra' and I gotta say, the dancers are insane ! The way they move is so visceral, like their bodies are on fire . And the costumes? Whoa, those long hair flows are giving me LIFE ! I love how the choreo is all bold lines and cuts, it's like a painter splashing colors on the floor .

But what really got me was the way they played with light and shadow – it's like they're dancing in the dark, but not literally . And that story about rebirth and healing? It's so raw and emotional, I'm not even gonna try to analyze it too much... just let the feelings wash over you .

I mean, what's wild is how this piece doesn't need a lot of explanation – it's all about tapping into that primal language. And trust me, it works! The performances are electric and I loved watching these strong women move together like a single unit .

I think what I love most about Akram Khan Company's 'Thikra' is how it lets go of trying to make sense of the story, you know? It's like, we're not supposed to understand what's happening on a deeper level – we're just meant to feel it. The way those dancers move across that stunning Wadi AlFann landscape is like nothing I've ever seen before. It's so visceral, it's like your emotions are going to spill out of your skin. And the music? Forget about it! It's like they're speaking a different language – one that resonates deep in your bones.

I also love how the dancers' movements are all these bold lines and cuts, like they're painting their bodies on stage. It's so beautiful and raw at the same time. The way the choreography comes together to tell this mythological tale is just mesmerizing. And those performances? Absolutely stunning. Azusa Seyama Prioville's role as the matriarch is particularly striking – she has this presence that's both commanding and heartbreaking.

What I'm trying to say is, 'Thikra' isn't about some grand message or theme; it's about tapping into something deeper, something primal. It's like, our brains can only handle so much rational thought before we just need to let go and feel things. And 'Thikra' is that release – a chance to tap into all the emotions we're not even aware of.

omg u gotta watch this dance piece 'thikra' by akram khan company it's like, the whole vibe is so intense but in a good way? the dancers are all female and their hair is swishing around while they're moving, it's like a dream

but what i love about this piece is that it doesn't try to be too deep or meaningful. akram khan just lets the emotions flow through the dance and it's so powerful i mean, there are these moments where you can feel the anger and sadness but also the beauty and hope... it's like, my emotions are going crazy while watching it

and the performances? wow! azusa seyma prioville is a total standout as the matriarch, she has this presence that just commands attention nikita goile is cool too, her character is so complex and i love how samantha hines brings this whole other level of unease to hers

anyway, 'thikra' feels like it's tapping into something primal and universal, you know? like, it's not about words or thoughts, it's just feeling the emotions raw

omg u guys i just watched Akram Khan Companys 'Thikra' and i am SHAKEN the way the dancers move is like nothing i've ever seen before its all bold lines & colours & i'm literally crying in my seat samantha hines was AMAZING as that one character who just eats the matriarch's body like a beast u know? but what really got me is how raw & emotional it feels like akram khan isn't even trying to explain it or anything he's just tapping into this primal energy and honestly i think thats kinda genius i mean who needs words when you can just feel something like that thru your whole body? anyway just got back from the performance & still reeling from it

I don’t usually comment but... I just saw this piece "Thikra" by Akram Khan Company and it really blew my mind . The way the dancers move is like nothing I've ever seen before - it's so visceral and raw, like you're being slapped in the face with a thousand colours . I love how the choreography is all about expression and not about telling some grand story or anything . It just feels... primal, you know? Like we're tapping into something deep down inside us that can't be explained . And that woman, Samantha Hines, she's like a completely different person when she's on stage - so unsettling and intense . I don't need to figure out what it means or what's going on; I just felt it, you know?