Sutra is a collaboration between Flemish-Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, sculptor Antony Gormley and 19 Buddhist monks from the Shaolin temple in China. Worldwide, this performance earned standing ovations everywhere and was seen by over 250,000 people. And now you have the opportunity to see this amazing performance in Amare Den Haag!
As a child, Cherkaoui was fascinated by the spirituality and body control of the ancient Chinese martial art. He temporarily locked himself away with a group of Shaolin monks in China, immersed himself in their lifestyle and the way they learn to control their bodies down to every fibre. Thus, Sutra (which stands for the collected texts of Buddha) became a shared journey, a cultural exchange and a search for a shared artistic universe.
The result was breathtaking. In a simple but sublime set of 21 wooden boxes, Cherkaoui makes the most of the monks' strength, agility and mastery. The setting of those wooden crates (a design by Turner Prize winner Antony Gormley) is constantly ‘rebuilt’ - sometimes a wall, sometimes a bridge or temple. Spectacular acrobatics alternate with humorous and touching scenes.
Add to this the specially commissioned score by Polish composer Szymon Brzóska and it is obvious why Sutra captured the hearts of everyone around the world as one of the most sophisticated dance productions and a true work of art.
Aftertalk
About 10-15 minutes after the performance on Wed 28 & Thu 29 May, there will be an aftertalk (ENG) with Szymon Brzoska (composer and musician), Jiahao (leading monk) and Mr Li Fei (translator).
The aftertalk in the Spinoza foyer is free to all with a ticket from Sutra (on Wed 28 & Thu 29 May).
Documentary film Don't Put Me in a Box
On 18 and 20 May, the Fonds Internationale Dans (FIND), in collaboration with the Filmhuis Den Haag, presents the documentary film Don't Put Me in a Box, a universal story about the visionary artist Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Get to know the fascinating story of choreographer - a global star who makes his own way beyond labels and expectations.
This intimate film takes you inside his creative process, his search for identity and his groundbreaking work. Be inspired by an artist who refuses to be pigeonholed.
Information & Tickets Don't Put Me in a Box
Open class Kung Fu Moves
On Monday 26 May (7pm), Jiahao, the leading monk in the performance Sutra, will lead you through a dynamic class consisting of the basic movements of Kung Fu. With a smooth translation by Mr Li Fei, you will learn not only the technique but also the philosophy behind this ancient martial art.
Register Open class Kung Fu Moves
This performance is shown thanks to Fonds Internationale Dans (FIND). Amare, Holland Dance Festival and Nederlands Dans Theater join forces in this fund with the aim of bringing high-profile international dance productions to the Netherlands and presenting them in Amare to profile The Hague as the dance city of the Netherlands.
