Review: GIGENIS - THE GENERATION OF THE EARTH, Sadler’s Wells
Photo credit: Maxime Dos Productions Sarfati
Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Akram Khan returns to London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre for the highly anticipated UK premiere of GIGENIS: the generation of the Earth. This groundbreaking production brings Khan back to the stage as both director and performer, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience his artistry firsthand.
Sharing the stage with an exceptional ensemble of Indian classical dance luminaries including Kutiyattam virtuoso Kapila Venu, Bharatanatyam soloists Mavin Khoo and Mythili Prakash, and celebrated duo Vijna Vasudevan and Renjith Babu, Khan crafts a transcendent narrative of tradition, memory, and cultural resilience inspired by the Mahabharata. With a haunting live score performed by seven Indian classical musicians, GIGENIS delivers an evocative celebration of heritage and innovation, bridging the past and present.
Khan, renowned for his mastery of Kathak and contemporary dance, has carved a unique space as a storyteller who seamlessly blends cultures and traditions. Over a career spanning more than two decades, his iconic works, such as Jungle Book Reimagined, Desh, Outwitting the Devil, Giselle, and XENOS, have earned global acclaim for their innovation and emotional depth. His enduring collaboration with Sadler’s Wells, one of the world’s leading dance institutions, exemplifies the perfect synergy between visionary artistry and the pursuit of pushing creative boundaries. Together, they have produced groundbreaking works that reflect the theatre’s dedication to universal storytelling and artistic excellence.
With GIGENIS, Khan deepens his exploration of identity and legacy, inviting audiences to reflect on the enduring power of tradition. The narrative, inspired by the Mahabharata, is deeply human, exploring themes of love, loss, identity, and resilience. The story centres around a mother navigating her journey as a wife, widow, and daughter—a tale told with profound grace and raw emotion.
The live score is a gift. Seven Indian classical musicians create an atmosphere that is both evocative and transportive. Percussionists BC Manjunath and Kalamandalam Rajeev infuse the performance with pulsating rhythms that breathe alongside the dancers, while the mesmerising vocals of Sohini Alam and Chitra Poornima Sathish add a soul-stirring dimension. The interplay between music and movement is seamless, each element provoking, complementing, and amplifying the other in a dynamic, ever-shifting dialogue.
Every moment of this production matters. The narrative is immersive, and the atmosphere utterly intoxicating. The music is intense and evocative, with percussion perfectly aligned to the dancers’ movements. Music and dance work in tandem, sometimes one leading, sometimes the other—provoking and responding in a harmonious exchange. Every gesture is imbued with nuance and grace, conveying both beauty and pain. The staging flows in meticulously crafted patterns. The synchronicity and energy of the ensemble resonate powerfully, contrasted by lyrical, majestic solos that captivate.
This is more than a performance; it is an experience that transcends entertainment. GIGENIS reminds us of the vital role emotive dance plays in nurturing the soul. It is a poignant reflection on the fragility and resilience of cultural heritage. The mastery and passion of the performers are a gift to witness, creating a connection between themselves, the audience, and something far greater.
There is no shortage of contemporary dance in London, yet GIGENIS reminds us of the value of heritage—be it our own or others. The sharing of this cultural legacy is something special.
GIGENIS is a rare, transformative experience. Akram Khan and his ensemble have delivered a performance that London will not soon forget—a celebration of humanity through the timeless, universal language of dance.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Stephanie Osztreicher
