Ihsane

UK PREMIERE

Award-winning choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui explores grief and connection while paying homage to North Africa and the Middle East.

Double Olivier Award-winning choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s latest work explores how the world changes in a never-ending cycle of destruction and rebirth. Ihsane swells with anger, lingers in sorrow, and joyfully celebrates the rich cultures of North Africa and the Middle East.

Live music, composed and led by Tunisian viola d’amore player Jasser Haj Youssef, follows each step of the dancers from Cherkaoui’s two companies – Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève and Eastman. Draped in earth-toned costumes and surrounded by Persian rugs, they pay homage to contemporary dance, classical ballet and cultural traditions.

Paying tribute to a gay Moroccan man murdered in Belgium, Ihsane confronts cycles of violence and persecution, calling for connection despite unimaginable grief.

Hear Sounds of Ihsane at The Hub on Fri 14 Aug.

5 Stars
There aren't enough words to properly praise Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s beautiful, multi-layered, five-star dance masterpiece
The Scotsman on Ihsane

0 Stars
I am changed. I am transformed. This is one of the best performances I have seen. The images will stay with me for a lifetime.
Audience Member

0 Stars
One of the most visionary choreographers working today
The Guardian on Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

The Warm Up: Ihsane

Listen to The Warm Up, your bite-sized audio introduction to the performance.

Choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui talks about returning to his heritage, the power of grief, and sharing the world.

edintfest · The Warm Up: Ihsane

Downloads List

Episode Transcript
24 KB DOCX

Supported by Flure Grossart

Programme

Cast & Credits

Creative CreditsCloseOpen

Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève / Eastman
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
Choreographer
Amine Amharech
Set Designer
Amine Bendriouich
Costume Designer
Fabiana Piccioli
Lighting Designer
Maxime Guislain
Videographer
El Arbi El-Harti
Dramaturg
Alexandre Dai Castaing
Sound Designer
Jasser Haj Youssef
Music Director & Viola d’amore
Gaël Cadoux
Piano
Nizar Rohana
Oud
Gabriele Miracle Bragantini
Percussion
Fadia Tomb El-Hage & Mohammed El Arabi Serghini
Vocals

DancersCloseOpen

Quintin Cianci
Jared Brown
Ricardo Gomes Macedo
Dylan Phillips
Sara Shigenari
Kim van der Put
Juan Perez Cardona
Oscar Comesaña Salgueiro
Zoé Charpentier
Julio Leon Torres
Anna Cenzuales
Luca Scaduto
Nahuel Vega
Stefanie Noll
Yumi Aizawa
Pau Aran Gimeno
Nassim Baddag
Andrea Bou Othmane

CreditsCloseOpen

Co-produced by Eastman, Théâtre du Châtelet Paris, Les Théâtres de la ville de Luxembourg, Tanz Köln, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, Festspielhaus St Pölten (AT), Grec Festival Barcelona 2025, Centre National des Arts (Ottawa).