milonga

Zorlu Performing Arts Center

Celebrated contemporary dancer/ choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui explored the social and choreographic vocabulary of tango in his latest work, m¡longa, a Sadler's Wells production. İKSV hosted this breathtaking performance in 30 May at Zorlu Performing Arts Center, with the support of Okan University.

Theatre lovers can remember Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui with his highly acclaimed work Sutra, he produced at 17th İstanbul Theatre Festival in 2010. In May, he brought this fascinating atmosphere of tango to İstanbul.

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui is a Sadler's Wells Associate Artist. Internationally renowned for his ground-breaking and critically revered productions with artists including Akram Khan and Maria Pagès, and for his award winning works such as Sutra and Babel, he has created more than 20 productions and is widely acknowledged as one of Europe's most exciting choreographers.

Deeply rooted in Argentinean culture, tango has fascinated and captivated the world with its sexuality, power and beauty. It is this unique appeal that has drawn Cherkaoui to create m¡longa. He says, "What attracts me most about tango is the eternal embrace of the dancers. When a tango couple dances, we sense the hypnotic dialogue between two bodies connecting intuitively, merging into one. If there is such a thing as my style of dance, it is rooted in touch, in physical contact - and that is inherent in tango."

Taking the idea of milonga as its starting point, social dances parties held in intimate late night bars in Buenos Aires, Cherkaoui draws on traditional influences and adds a contemporary twist. This was the first time an international large-scale production inspired by tango was directed by a non- Argentine artist, offering exciting opportunities to explore the traditional dance from another cultural perspective.

m¡longa featured new music from Argentinean composer Fernando Marzan and Cherkaoui's long term collaborator Szymon Brzóska, video and set design by Eugenio Szwarcer, costumes by renowned fashion designer Tim Van Steenbergen, lighting by Adam Carrée and sound by Gaston Briski. Tango expert Nelida Rodriguez de Aure was artistic consultant for the production. m¡longa was performed by a cast of 10 tango dancers from Buenos Aires, two contemporary dancers and a tango band of five musicians.