To celebrate World Animal Day, Magpie Dance are delighted to introduce their latest dance film Kingdom inspired by the movements of animals from across the globe. 

Magpie Dancers worked with artists from Akam Khan Company during our Easter School where they explored ideas from Animal Kingdom – the animal in you and Jungle Book reimagined. 

Following this, 40 Magpie dancers, friends, family and staff watched a performance of Jungle Book reimagined at Sadlers Wells Theatre and took part in a variety of workshops exploring movements of animals and the impact of climate change on their habitats. 

Magpie Dance’s Artistic Director, Alison Ferrao, said of the experience “Our staff, facilitators and musicians were fortunate to watch the dress rehearsal of Jungle Book Reimagined at Sadler’s Wells and hear Akram Khan give company notes. Our dancers enjoyed watching the performance and working with the AKC team - it’s so important for them to experience dancing alongside such exceptional professional dancers. The film created by our Youth Administrator, Annie Walsh, and Digital Producer, Amy Lovelock, Kingdom is mesmerising. They have really captured our dancers exploring the movements of animals in their natural habitat. The project has had a huge impact on the whole company and we look forward to developing the ideas more as we continue our collaboration with AKC over the next year - what will happen to these habitats and the animals that live there, if the climate crisis continues? Huge thanks to everyone at AKC for making this important topic so tangible and accessible for our dancers.” 

Magpie Dancer, Holly, said “I really enjoyed the show of the Jungle Book. It’s different, because I like the drawings, the animation and the way animals show love with their bodies” 

Dancers created movements and wrote poems based on these experiences to create our new dance film Kingdom, starting in the sea, moving to land, and finishing flying in the air. 

In response to the film, Akram Khan said “Absolutely wonderful, and moving!!! A really a beautiful encounter.” 

You can view the film from 10am on Wednesday 4th October 2023 here: https://youtu.be/SCykAkjn7U8 

A huge thank you to Emma, Jasper and Shiva from Akram Khan Company.