“Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” — African proverb
The great dancer and choreographer Akram Khan will pay a rare visit to Los Angeles this week for a four-night run of his full-length piece UNTIL THE LIONS.
Based on a section of the Mahabharata, UNTIL THE LIONS tells the tale of Princess Amba (Ching-Ying Chien): her thwarted marriage, her revenge against Prince Bheeshma (Khan), and her transformation into the warrior Shikhandi (Joy Alpuerto Ritter).
The original music score is by Vincenzo Lamagna, in collaboration with singer Sohini Alam, David Azurza, percussionist Yaron Engler, Ritter, and Khan. This Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center event takes place, in the round, at The Culver Studios.
UNTIL THE LIONS, Wednesday through Saturday, October 18–21, at 8 pm.
THE CULVER STUDIOS, 9336 Washington Boulevard, Culver City.
From top:
Ching-Ying Chien and Akram Khan in rehearsal, Until the Lions.
Musicians for Until the Lions include Yaron Engler (left), and Sohini Alam, Joseph Ashwin, and David Azurza.
Bottom three: Ching-Ying Chien. All photographs © Jean-Louis Fernandez.