Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui presents the UK premiere of Vlaemsch (chez moi)

The Flemish-Moroccan choreographer made Vlaemsch (chez moi) as a love letter to his Flemish roots, using it to explore this part of his identity. For the title Larbi deliberately chose an outdated spelling of "Vlaams" which translates as "Flemish" and references the language and culture of Flanders. It's a pronunciation and spelling method used in political discourse to characterise the perceived old-fashionedness and historical roots of Flemish nationalism. It can also indicate sentiments of nostalgia and historical appreciation for Flemish culture including Flemish folklore and the medieval cities of the prosperous County of Flanders. 

The subtitle (chez moi) is written in French, translated as "at mine" or "at my house", which highlights Larbi's personal experience of Flemish culture. Larbi was born to a Flemish mother and Moroccan father, and grew up in Hoboken, a suburb of Antwerp. Although Hoboken's official language is Dutch/Flemish, the language Larbi's family used at home was mainly French. The main title and the subtitle contrast each other, but in his title Larbi wants to show that they are not mutually exclusive.

Finding inspiration in culturally rich, 15th century Flanders, Cherkaoui and his collaborators take inspiration from the Flemish grand masters. For the piece Cherkaoui has worked with three major contemporary Flemish artists. Visual artist Hans Op de Beeck is known for his large-scale installations and sculptural works. His signature grey palette echoes the pale landscape and architecture of Flanders. Lute player Floris De Rycker and his music ensemble Ratas del Viejo Mundo explore the sounds of 1600s polyphonic music and Arabic influences in Western music. Jan-Jan Van Essche’s costume designs are inspired by different cultures – a sustainable, slow fashion ethos in a fast fashion world.    

Opposite to the Flemish profile of the artistic team the piece features international performers from Japan, America, Russia, Ukraine, Congo, Canada, Germany and beyond. The cross movement between West and East or North and South is characteristic of Cherkaoui's choreography. 

Cherkaoui is an award-winning choreographer who has worked with dance companies from around the world as well as across film, theatre and music, notably working with Beyoncé on some of her music videos in recent years. 

He has made over 50 full-fledged choreographic pieces and received many awards, including two Olivier Awards, three Ballet Tanz awards for choreographer of the year and the Kairos Prize for his artistic vision and his quest for intercultural dialogue.  

From 2015 to 2022, Cherkaoui was the Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet Flanders, and since 2022 helms the Ballet of the Grand Théâtre de Genève. He has also made pieces for The Royal Ballet and for Natalia Osipova. He founded his own company, Eastman in 2010 and has been a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist since 2008. 

Alongside Vlaemsch, Cherkaoui has collaborated with leading Disabled dance artist Marc Brew to create an Accident / a Life - a Sadler’s Wells co-commission, that will be presented at Sadler’s Wells East on Thursday 25 – Saturday 27 September. The stunning visual theatre piece unravels moments in our lives, exploring difficult things using humour, storytelling, film, music, dance and a car. The starting point was sharing life stories and key moments of change. For Marc, this was his car accident, where he went from ballet dancer to paraplegic in a split second.

Meanwhile Sutra, Cherkaoui’s collaboration with the Shaolin Monks, a Sadler’s Wells co-production, has recently been on tour throughout Europe. Sutra will tour next to the United States this autumn, stopping in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Davis, Berkeley and Seattle. Sutra has toured around the globe to sell-out audiences and mass critical acclaim. The award-winning collaboration between Cherkaoui, sculptor Antony Gormley and 19 Buddhist monks from the Shaolin Temple in China has been seen by over 250,000 people world-wide. 

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, said, "Returning to Sadler’s Wells, after so many years, with two dance theatre works I recently created feels like a gentle homecoming. Both the collaboration with Marc Brew an Accident / a Life and Vlaemsch (chez moi), which I made as an ode to my Flemish mother, delve into the complexities of identity and the meaning of feeling ‘safe’, searching for a ‘home’ away from home. Both theatrical pieces address the layered feelings we can harbour for the mothers in our lives. 

Vlaemsch (chez moi) seeks to reflect the complex and rich cultural tapestry of Flanders. It is brought to life by Eastman performers from around the world. Whilst an Accident / a Life, bridges Marc Brew’s intense journey from South Africa all the way back to his motherland Australia. I believe both these works, these gatherings of different cultural stories, identities and geographies, can resonate positively in cosmopolitan London. They tackle the highs and lows of life and inspire resilience and patience in the face of adversity. I hope the audience might find something of themselves in these two works, or feel transported somewhere new to discover, to calmly share space and time… to laugh also at ourselves.

London audiences, who continue to welcome my work with such openness and curiosity, have long played a vital role in my journey as international choreographer and artist. I’m grateful for this ongoing relationship, since Sutra in 2008, with Sadler’s Wells as presenter and producer. As Associate Artist, I look forward to welcoming everyone into my borderless choreographic world of music, theatre and dance.”

Sir Alistair Spalding CBE, Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director and Co-Chief Executive, said, “We are so pleased to have Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s work back on the Sadler’s Wells stage with this work that delves into the relationship he has with his Flemish heritage. This comes after a successful summer tour of his production with the Shaolin Temple - Sutra in Europe as well as his collaboration with Marc Brew to Sadler’s Wells East.”