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In March 2007, the British Council will support the engagement of Akram Khan, with the Hong Kong Arts Festival, and bring the Asian premiere of Sacred Monsters, the first and foremost encounter and exchange between two shining stars of the present day dance world, Sylvie Guillem and Akram Khan.  This is an exciting exploration of the boundaries between classical and contemporary dance, with additional choreography by Lin Hwai-min.

Akram Khan is one of the most gifted choreographers and dancers of his generations.  Born in Britain to Bangladeshi parents, Khan seeks to build bridges between the worlds of contemporary dance and kathak (the 500-year-old Indian classical dance), to find out what lies beyond and create a new dance territory that transcends simple notions of 'fusion'.  His first full-length work Kaash performed in the 2003 Hong Kong Arts Festival garnered accolades from critics and audiences alike.  In 2005 he received an MBE for his services to Dance.

Sylvie Guillem is unarguably the most eminent prima ballerina today.  Joining the Paris Opera Ballet at age 16, she raced up the hierarchy and after only three years was handpicked by Rudolf Nureyev and appointed Étoile, star dancer.  She has won numerous major awards and has been granted the highest honours in France and Britain.  Audiences and critics alike are bowled over by her extraordinary physique, amazing technique and endearing charisma.  Her peerless 'six o'clock' leg lift is simply breathtaking.  Guillem is currently Principal Guest Artist with several companies and a torch-bearer for the best of modern work.

Lin Hwai-min, founder and Artistic Director of Taiwan's Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, was featured as Choreographer of the 20th Century by Dance Europe; one of the Personalities of the Year by Ballet International; cited as the Best Choreographer at the 2000 Lyon Biennial Festival; and celebrated by Time magazine as one of Asia's 'Heroes' in 2005.

Sacred Monsters is a nickname for the big stars, the icons of the arts world who are given divine status by the audience and the media.

"Having to live up to the expectations of your audience to be perfect, there is no more room for failure, imperfection.  The divine status becomes inhuman, monstrous." – Guy Cools, Dramaturge

Performance dates:

2 Mar 2007 (Fri) 7.30 p.m.

3 Mar 2007 (Sat) 7.30 p.m.  

Approx. 1 hr 15 mins with no interval

Venue: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

For further details on the programme and ticketing, please visit the Hong Kong Arts Festival website www.hk.artsfestival.org