Dance show given festival debut before tour
CHOREOGRAPHER Aakash Odedra is to premiere his newest show in his hometown as part of The Spark Festival.
Little Murmur is aimed at children and is based on the story of his own struggle with letters and words after his diagnosis with dyslexia.
He said the piece of dance theatre is an honest conversation about the trials and tribulations of seeing things differently, and is the first work from the company specially adapted for young audiences and their families.
The show will premiere at schools in Leicester before a public performance at Belgrave library on February 12. It will then embark on a tour of theatres and arts centres.
“The piece is about struggle and being able to find your own identity through struggle,” said Aakash, who said he experienced an awakening aged 21 when he realised he had misspelt his own name his entire life.
He said: “You don’t need to be dyslexic to understand the show. Everyone goes through their own challenges and can feel like they are different.
“It’s about allowing people to become more open to difference and different ways of thinking.
“I feel it’s really important to be able to engage with the younger generation. The piece shows them that different is okay, it is beautiful, and it should be celebrated.”
Trina Haldar, of The Spark Festival, said: “We are proud to be working with the Aakash Odedra Company and to be hosting the premiere of Little Murmur during The Spark Festival.
“In life, especially over the last 18 months, we have all faced struggles regardless of age. Children especially have suffered from disruption. That’s what makes Little Murmur feel so relevant and timely.”