Chotto Desh, Akram Khan Company/MOKO Dance: Stratford Circus

The 2011 show from the Akram Khan Company, DESH, was received as one of that choreographer and performer’s finest works. Now, featuring all that made DESH a visual spectacle, it’s coming back to Sadler’s Wells recreated especially for children.
MOKO Dance / Akram Khan Company: Stratford Circus
‘Chotto Desh’ means little homeland, and the narrative explores the same strange mix of Khan’s West London childhood and the stories of his Bangladeshi heritage as the original.
DESH benefited not only from Khan’s intricately articulate movement and speed, but from some wizard visual effects from Tim Yip and Yeast Culture, adapted here by Guy Hoare. The huge, light animations of elephants, rivers and mangroves make this perfect fare for a children’s adaptation, and Theatre-Rites director Sue Buckmaster has made sure as much of that visual spectacle remains as is possible for the smaller space of the Lilian Baylis Studio.
Shortened to a manageable 50 minutes, the stories told here are captivating but also truthful, inspired by Khan’s own family and his visits to Bangladesh.
Dancers Dennis Alamanos and Nicolas Ricchini will bring fresh perspectives to the original solo. But Akram Khan’s mark is indelible - even the moment where he paints his father’s face onto his bald head remains.
Of the many children’s dance shows London will enjoy this season, this will be one of the most satisfying. Clever, visually spectacular and full of familiar experience, the kids won’t forget this in a hurry.