Dance Global

The future, for good or ill, lies with China and its people. The country represents the greatest potential market place in the world for investors but is still struggling to grow anew from the rotting corpse of Maoism. The imminent Olympic Games have highlighted all the issues which give cause for optimism or disquiet.

Seeking to read the facial lineaments of  China is difficult, since the place is terra incognita to most Westerners who will probably still be confused after witnessing the inevitable public smiles of the Olympic opening ceremony refracted through the memories of repression represented by the spectre of Tiananmen Square. The cultural exchange which is currently taking place on a large scale between China and the West probably represents the clearest route to understanding, since it is imperative to discover a common language for a meaningful conversation. On this particular subject the award-winning choreographer Akram Khan has many articulate thoughts.

In January Khan, using a mixed international cast including members of the National Ballet of China created his latest piece, “bahok,” at Beijing’s Tianqiao Theatre. “It was very well received. It was stressful, ...