FEDORA - Akram Khan's Creature

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
Prize for Ballet 2019
Nominee

Back to 2019 Nominees

Jury
Nominee

Akram Khan's Creature

United Kingdom
English National Ballet

Crowdfunding Results

€80
collected

€25,000
target

donations closed

Akram Khan and Tamara Rojo Rehearsing Giselle © Laurent Liotardo i

About the Project

In 2020, English National Ballet will begin rehearsals for an extraordinary full-length ballet by renowned choreographer Akram Khan. Inspired by Mary Shelley’s iconic novel Frankenstein, it will raise the essential questions on ambition, human endeavour and morality, creating a ballet for the 21st century.

"Since I was a child, I have been obsessed and fascinated with the story of Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley. The outcast, the monster, or the stranger has always been a common theme in my works. But in this new creation, I am looking further into the areas related to the sense of abandonment, rage and loss. Having made Giselle on English National Ballet in 2016, I am extremely excited to create a new full-length work with them.” - Akram Khan

As a Company our drive for innovation comes from Tamara Rojo's vision, and her commitment to evolve ballet, making it compelling, engaging and accessible for current and future generations. Akram is a unique choreographer, blending his early training in Kathak (a classical Indian dance) with contemporary styles. Working with English National Ballet brought inspiration from ballet's precision and technique and the skill of our dancers. The result is a unique style between English National Ballet and Akram, intertwining the movement and symbolic gestures with the precision and skill of classical ballet, celebrating both heritages.

Why should you support us?

Creating new work is a risk for any ballet Company due to financial and reputational concerns but we believe innovation is needed to keep evolving the art form, challenge audiences and develop dancers’ careers.

Working with Akram Khan and following the international success of his reinvention of Giselle, we want to create another classic of the future that will challenge perceptions, speak to audiences of today and continue to develop dance and ballet in new and exciting directions.

New ballet commissions are a risk and we rely on widespread support to ensure their success.

Crowdfunding donations, whether large or small, will support our new work in the crucial development stage - as our artists shape and create their vision for the stage over the next year. With your help, we will be able to build a window into the creative process, with imaginative digital content revealing insights from our artistic team and dancers, to share with our audiences around the world as the production unfolds.

Who are we?

Akram Khan is the lead choreographer for this new work and English National Ballet, and our Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, are thrilled to be working once again with a bold and visionary artist, building and strengthening our relationship developed over the last four years. Assistant choreographer will be Andrej Petrovic and Rehearsal Director Mavin Khoo.

Visual Design and Costumes will be led by Tim Yip, Lighting Design by Michael Hulls and Dramaturgy by Ruth Little. The composer for the piece will be commissioned in early 2019.

Akram Khan

Choreographer

Tamara Rojo

Artistic Director

Andrej Petrovic

Assistant Choreographer

Tim Yip

Visual Design and Costume

Michael Hulls

Lighting Designer

Ruth Little

Dramaturge

Mavin Khoo

Rehearsal Director

Partners

Sadler's Wells Theatre

United Kingdom

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

Ireland

Special notice about recommending a donation:

You are about to make a donation to FEDORA, a French non-profit organisation, to support the crowdfunding campaign of the FEDORA Prizes Biennale 2025 on the FEDORA Platform. Donors can recommend a distribution of their donations to a specific nominated project, but FEDORA is in charge at its discretion to forward the funds to the Nominees. Upon completing your donation, FEDORA or the Transnational Giving Europe Partner will provide you with more information regarding your donation receipt, allowing you to claim tax relief on your donation. Please note that by donating online, you accept our Legal Notice (https://www.fedora-platform.com/more-infos/legal-notice). Thank you for your generosity!
If you are a company or tax resident in Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain, Switzerland or United Kingdom and do not wish to receive the associated crowdfunding benefits, you can receive a tax receipt instead. To do so, please click on “Pledge without a reward” and type in the amount you wish to donate.
Please note that according to the Charities Aid Foundation, UK residents can only obtain a tax receipt for donations between GBP 100 and GBP 9,999.

Please note that according to the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, Swiss residents can only obtain a tax receipt for donations of minimum 100 CHF. Donations as of €5 are still possible via FEDORA's payment page for anyone wishing to make a donation of under £100 or 100 CHF without receiving a tax receipt.

Learn more about possible benefits or tax deductions related to your donation here.

Learn more about the crowdfunding campaign here.