Paradiso: Man’s Enduring Search for Perfection

About

Inspired by the final part of Dante’s The Divine Comedy, this dance production shares Dante’s journey though Paradise. He takes passage through the heavenly cosmos and finds answers to the obstacles of vanity, ambition, aggression and desire. Led by Beatrice, these common human struggles are conquered through his ascension to an energetic celebration of enlightenment.

Established 40 years ago, Akademi has been the lead outdoor British South Asian dance organisation. Our mission is to inspire audiences and change lives by creating and nurturing excellence in classical, contemporary, popular and participatory South Asian dance.

We are delighted to introduce this performance of Paradiso: Man’s Enduring Search for Perfection which demonstrates Akademi’s commitment to investigating new ways of choreographing and integrating contemporary British and Indian dance practices. We want to illustrate how British Indian dance remains integral to the UK dance scene and to promote it while challenging expectations of what Indian dance is/should be.

Direction & Choreography: Jose Agudo

Original Score: Bernhard Schimpelsberger

Consultant Dramaturg: Lou Cope

Producer: Nina Head (Akademi)

Costume: Martina Trottmann

Rehearsal Director: Claire Cunningham

Sound Mix and Mastering: Nick Atkins

Graphic Designer: Rohanne Udall (Akademi)

Original Direction: Hilary Westlake

Photo credits: Simon Richardson

Cast: Archita Kumar, Carmine De Amicis, Edward Arnold, Ellen Yilma, Francesco Migliaccio, Kamala Devam