In February 2025, audiences in Riga will once again be able to immerse themselves in the magical world of Akram Khan.
On the 20th and 21st of February, the stage of the Latvian National Theatre will host one of the most touching and visually stunning works by the renowned choreographer — Chotto Desh, a performance that reaffirms his status as a symbol of contemporary dance on the world stage.
Chotto Desh is a revival of Khan’s famous solo work DESH, which earned him the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award in 2012 and garnered numerous accolades across the globe. Like threads of a tapestry, the performance weaves together personal memories and myths, connecting two fascinating worlds — Britain and Bangladesh. In this journey of dance and animation, the young protagonist, a boy caught between two cultures, strives to understand who he truly is. These questions of identity, generational conflict, and cultural roots come to life in every movement of the dancers, every shift of light, and every note of the musical accompaniment.
The magic of the production is brought to life by an incredible creative team. The visual design is the work of Timmy Yip, an Oscar-winning artist known for his work on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Under his direction, the stage transforms into an enchanted world where fairytale forests blend seamlessly with urban landscapes. The music by Jocelyn Pook and the lighting designs by the legendary Michael Hulls immerse the audience in a dreamlike realm, where the thin boundary between reality and fantasy fades away, leaving space for deep emotional reflection.
Critics worldwide have unanimously praised the performance. The Telegraph called it "transcendent," emphasizing the magic and emotional richness of each scene. The Independent described the production as "mesmerizing," noting Khan's mastery in shifting roles and creating an expansive universe from a single character. The Wonderful World of Dance marveled at the visual effects, referring to them as "a hypnotic expression of the deepest feelings of the human soul."
Chotto Desh is more than just a dance performance. It is a moving poem, speaking to every viewer, whether a child or an adult, with its universal message about the search for self in this complex and diverse world. Don't miss the opportunity to dive into this world of magic and emotion at the Latvian National Theatre on February 20 and 21, 2025.
*Suitable for children aged 6 and above.
Artistic Team & Credits
DESH Artistic Direction and Original Choreography | Akram Khan
Chotto DeshDirection and Adaptation| Sue Buckmaster (Theatre-Rites)
Music Composition |Jocelyn Pook
Lighting Design| Guy Hoare
Dancers| Jasper Narvaez, Nico Ricchini
Original Visual Design| Tim Yip
Original Visual Animation created by| YeastCulture
Original Costume Supervisor| Kimie Nakano
Music Engineer | Steve Parr
Stories imagined by | Karthika Naïr and Akram Khan
