UK première Dance Dialogues

The Assassination of Omar Rajeh
Maqamat Dance Theatre (Lebanon)

For the final Dance Dialogues event our focus is on work from the Lebanon and dancemakers from the Arab world. We have invited Omar Rajeh, artistic director of Maqamat Dance Theatre, Beirut to present the UK première of his new work The Assassination of Omar Rajeh at WDF 2010. Rajeh is Dance Dialogues' artist-in-residence during the festival when he will have opportunities to engage with UK dance practitioners, dance scholars and artists during his week-long stay at Woking.

This new international co-production takes the assassinations of journalists in Lebanon as a starting point, and focuses on the importance of the written word and the dangers of expressing dissenting opinions. Juxtaposed is Omar’s personal perspective as a choreographer and dancer working and living in Beirut. He questions the use and value of dance in the face of such devastating events.

'The act of assassination targeting journalists fighting for freedom of expression, human rights, and a democratic civil society is an act of elimination against words, voices and bodies of ‘Refusal’. It is an act that aims to terrorize free thought and kill hope of change. It is an act against ‘me’ … my body… my presence.' Omar Rajeh

This show has been produced by Bonlieu Scene Nationale, Annecy-France, and co-produced by Theatre Agora, Evry-France, Dancing on the Edge Festival, Amsterdam-Netherlands, and Tanzhaus nrw, Dusseldorf.

Omar Rajeh: choreographer, dancer, and founder/artistic director of Maqamat Dance Theatre, Omar studied at the Lebanese University and at the University of Surrey. He is the founder of Beirut international Platform of Dance, an annual contemporary dance festival in Beirut, which is one of the most important dance festivals in the region. He is also co-founder of Masahat Dance Network a regional network for contemporary dance (Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan).

Special Offer
See all seven shows taking place in the Rhoda McGaw theatre for just £65! (concessions £45). That’s equivalent to two free shows!!
To take advantage of this offer please phone the box office or in person at The Ambassadors box office. This offer is not available online.