LEGENDARY CHOREOGRAPHER AKRAM KHAN’S LATEST WORK JUNGLE BOOK REIMAGINED COMES TO THE NAC
Storytelling at the heart of Khan’s signature movement style
October 5, 2023 – OTTAWA (Canada) – Akram Khan’s latest work, Jungle Book reimagined, an NAC Co-Production, comes to Southam Hall for three performances, including a Saturday matinee.
At the age of ten, Akram Khan played Mowgli in an Indian dance version of The Jungle Book, and decades later, the choreographer decided to revisit the story. Based on the original story of Rudyard Kipling’s much-loved classic, Khan reinvents the journey of Mowgli through the eyes of a climate refugee.
Set in a near future world, it is the story of a family torn apart as they escape their homeland ravaged by the impact of climate change. Arriving alone in a deserted modern city, and with wild animals claiming the streets as their own, the child soon discovers unlikely allies in this strange new jungle.
Featuring an original score, ten international dancers and state-of-the-art animation and visuals, Jungle Book reimagined is a beautifully compelling and vital piece of storytelling about our intrinsic need to belong and bond with others, and the importance of connecting with and respecting our natural world. Audiences will be transported by the animated visual projections, haunting music, and masterful choreography that mimics the movements of the animals.
Akram Khan very consciously approached the creation of this production as a direct action towards climate change. In place of traditional physical sets that are heavy for touring, projections and animated films achieve an immersive non-physical realm, and props made of cardboard are recycled after the tour. He brought in YeastCulture, a UK-based design firm, to create stunning hand-drawn animations, some of which will be showcased on the NAC’s Kipnes Lantern.
“We are now living in unprecedented and uncertain times, not only for our species but for all species on this planet. And the root cause of this conundrum is because we have forgotten our connection to our home, our planet. We all inhabit it, we all take from it, and we all build on it, but we have forgotten to return our respect for it.”
– Akram Khan
Director and Choreographer
“This is a truly exceptional production. We are thrilled to welcome once again Akram Khan Company, who have graced the NAC stages numerous times over the years, each time wowing audiences. Jungle Book reimagined stands out for its powerful message about the impact of climate change – and it speaks to all generations.”
– Caroline Orht. Executive Producer, NAC Dance
This performance is recommended for children ages 8 + years.
PERFORMANCE AND TICKET INFORMATION
Southam Hall
October 19-20, 2023, at 8:00 p.m.
October 21, 2023, Matinee at 2:00 p.m.
Duration: Two hours and 10 minutes with one intermission
To purchase tickets, visit https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/33696 or call 1-844-985-2787 (ARTS). To learn more about the NAC’s building and facilities before you arrive, click: https://nac-cna.ca/en/visit. ;
Visit the NAC website to learn more about the 2023–2024 NAC Dance season.
THANK YOU TO OUR NAC DANCE SPONSORS
NAC Dance and the NAC Foundation would like to thank the donors and partners who have made the season possible. Thank you to our Hotel Partner, the Lord Elgin Hotel. The role of Executive Producer, NAC Dance is generously supported by an anonymous donor.
ABOUT THE NAC
The National Arts Centre is Canada’s bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts. The NAC presents, creates, produces, and co-produces performing arts programming in various streams — the NAC Orchestra, Dance, English Theatre , French Theatre, Indigenous Theatre, and Popular Music and Variety — and nurtures the next generation of audiences and artists from across Canada. The NAC is located in the National Capital Region on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Mireille Allaire
Senior Manager, Communications
National Arts Centre
343-998-4244