“Ishq is intense love. It’s love that is beyond words. It isn’t just romantic love, Ishq is for everyone” – Suhaee Abro
Ishq translates as love. Ishq translates as passion. As the first Anglo Punjabi Musical, Ishq translates as a celebration between different cultures and the styles of music and dance that connect them.
The production is particularly significant as it marks 70 years of Pakistan’s independence. The story, the legend of Heer Ranjha, is compared to Shakespeare’s great love story ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Ishq tells the tale of young people from different social classes falling in love and subsequently causing upset within their families.
Personally, I was drawn into the importance of culture from the very beginning of the show. There are bright, bold colours everywhere – the costumes are beautiful and really reflect a sense identity as well as pride. The choreography, masterminded by Owen Smith and Suhaee Abro, is then married into this and the outcome is one of joy and celebration.
The set backdrop is stunning as it uses a brushstroke motion to literally paint a picture of a scene in the background. It is detail like this that keeps the audience transfixed by the scenery – where will the next scene take us?
Choreographer Suhaee gave us an insight into what the show has meant to her and what she hopes the audience can take away from it.
Suhaee, given that you have worked in many different areas such as dance, theatre and film, what kind of role has Ishq played in your career?
Dance wise, I am the co choreographer alongside Owen Smith. It has been very interesting to combine the Eastern and Western techniques and I believe that this is what helps us to grow as artists. I am more of a soloist. I usually prefer working in a more intimate setting as I enjoy looking at the little details, so I have never choreographed so many dancers at once but it has been amazing.
The production is a collaboration between British and Pakistani artists, what would you like your audience (especially younger people) to take away from this celebration of diversity?
I think it will be very inspiring for a lot of people to see the mix of South Asian and Western culture. Also the story features the character Heer, a woman standing up for the representation of other women, they shouldn’t just be seen as a married woman or someone’s sister or daughter, they are human beings with the right to love and do as they wish. They should not be forced to marry someone.
What does Ishq mean to you?
Ishq is intense love. It’s love that is beyond words. It isn’t just romantic love, Ishq is for everyone. You can be in love with your soul, you can be in love with the universe or your child. It’s for everyone. Ishq has been special and challenging from the beginning, I think it’s a beautiful fusion of English and Punjabi culture. We are wearing our costumes, representing our culture but we are speaking in English and I’ve never seen a production quite like that before.
Sisters Grimm, the creators of the Grammy® Award-nominated show INALA, are delighted to present the UK premiere of VOICES OF THE AMAZON, a passionate dance musical from the heart of Brazil, directed by Pietra Mello-Pittman, choreographed by Helen Pickett and composed by Ella Spira in collaboration with Brazilian songwriters Danny Nascimento, Dito Martins and Julien Davis and world‐renowned percussionists Olodum. Casting is to be announced.
VOICES OF THE AMAZON will open at Sadler’s Wells on 4 July 2017 following an appearance at the Chekhov International Theatre Jubilee Festival in Moscow from 14-16 June. The show will then travel to Singapore to perform at Grand Theatre, Marina Bay Sands from 28-30 July.
The show has recently been announced as part of the line-up for Latitude festival 2017. For more information on this, please click here.
Set amidst the Brazilian rainforest, VOICES OF THE AMAZON follows the story of Beleza; a water spirit from the Amazon, whose search to cure her dying sister takes her on a life-changing journey deep into the rainforest.
VOICES OF THE AMAZON features a sensational musical score, containing sounds recorded from the Amazon Rainforest, with music and songs performed in English and Portuguese. Combined with Helen Pickett’s fusion of ballet, contemporary and capoeira, the show aims to highlight the damaging effects of deforestation, the loss of natural medicines and plants, and promises an exhilarating live experience, embracing the true spirit of Brazil.
London-based production company Sisters Grimm was formed in 2009 and is comprised of former Royal Ballet ballerina Pietra Mello-Pittman and Grammy-nominated composer Ella Spira. In 2014, they produced the hugely successful sell-out UK tour INALA, starring Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
American-born choreographer, Helen Pickett, has created over 30 ballets in the U.S., and Europe, and is currently Resident Choreographer for Atlanta Ballet. She performed with William Forsythe’s Ballett Frankfurt for over a decade and The Wooster Group for 5 years.
VOICES OF THE AMAZON has lighting design by Ben Cracknell, stage and costume design by Temple Clark and sound design Adrian Rhodes. WWF, EDEN and Alexander Van Tulleken (CBBC’s Operation Ouch, Channel 4’s How to Lose Weight Well) will provide scientific consultation.
