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Botis Seva / Far From The Norm Until We Sleep

Freesheet

About Until We Sleep

Until We Sleep is a culmination of Botis Seva’s choreographic evolution — a fusion of the rebellious energy of his early work with the refined methodology and personal growth developed over the past 14 years.

In 2015, Seva was commissioned to present his debut evening of short works at Sadler’s Wells’ Lilian Baylis Theatre, supported by Breakin’ Convention. InNoForm, marked a pivotal moment in his artistic journey, establishing a foundation for deeper creative and conceptual exploration.

The experience of creating InNoForm — particularly presenting to international delegates and critics for the first time — sparked a seed of an idea. It grew into a bold interrogation of colonial legacy, both in wider society and within the dance sector. As the idea took shape, it became intertwined with Seva’s lived experience of leadership: the unspoken pressures, the emotional weight of responsibility, and the spiritual dissonance of guiding others while seeking your own sense of purpose.

Until We Sleep is a waking journey — a restless passage through time, memory, and resistance. It speaks not of dominion, but of carrying hope for others while navigating the burdens of history and expectation. It is about faith under pressure, strength in vulnerability, and the resilience of a community in motion.

Until we sleep — we bear it.
We dance beneath it.
We crown the struggle
with motion,
with breath,
with hope.

Until we are put to sleep, until we are no longer on this earth, we must fight for justice and peace. Until We Sleep is about perseverance, strength, and the pursuit of peace.
Botis Seva

About Far From The Norm

Far From The Norm is a hip hop dance theatre company led by Artistic Director Botis Seva. The company’s dance artists bring a rich blend of movement vocabularies to the studio — from Popping and Breaking to Krump and House. This deep, embodied knowledge allows Botis to question, reinterpret, and expand the possibilities of hip hop dance within a theatrical context.

Far From The Norm challenges conventional perceptions of hip hop and creates work that empowers everyday people. Their original, vital, and fearless productions invite dialogue around social and political issues shaping the contemporary world.

The company’s repertoire includes live theatre performances, outdoor shows, immersive experiences, and film. Touring both nationally and internationally, Far From The Norm continues to build strong global partnerships aimed at nurturing a new generation of hip hop dance theatre.

Botis Seva is an Associate Artist at Sadler’s Wells.

Far From The Norm is a partner company at The Lowry and are supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s Art Fund.

Artistic Team & Credits

Choreographer & Director Botis Seva
Composer Torben Sylvest
Costume Designer Ryan Dawson-Laight
Lighting Designer Tom Visser
Dancers on stage Jordan Douglas, Larissa Koopman, Margaux Pourpoint, Rose Sall Sao, Naïma Souhaïr, Joshua Shanny Wynters, Victoria Shulungu
Dancers in creation Shangomola Edunjobi, Penelope Klamert, Joshua Nash
Rehearsal Support Hayleigh Sellors
Touring Production Manager Andrej Gubanov, Chris Burr, Seth Rook Williams
Mix & Mastering Pär Carlsson
Music Collaborators Pär Carlsson, Chief Chebe, Charlotte Clark, Moustapha Gadiaga, Mohamed Gueye, Eric Mauricia, Paul Shofolahan, Teodor Sjöqvist, That Colombian songbird
Costume Supervisor Rosie Whiting & Lou Petty
Costume Makers Sophie Lincoln, Izzy Pellow, Klara Landin Larsson, Isobel Williams, Chantal Short
Prop Maker Bek Palmer
Set Build Matter Design
Photography Camilla Greenwell, Tom Visser
Film Ben Williams
Visual Design Daniel C Ferro

Far From The Norm Team
Artistic Director Botis Seva
Executive Producer Lee Griffiths
Production Manager Andy Downie
Producer & Tour Manager Gabija Capelyte
Strategic Associate Sri Sarker
Associate Producer Sharlene Carter

With thanks to Lou Cope, Jon Chu, Ellis Pecen & Shiloh Seva

Until We Sleep is co-produced by DanceEast, DE SINGEL, Points Communs – Nouvelle Scène nationale of Cergy-Pontoise / Val d’Oise, Rum för Dans, Sadler’s Wells, schrit_tmacher Festival, Tanz Köln (Cologne), Théâtre de la Ville – Paris, The Joyce Theater and The Lowry.

Commissioned by Brighton Dome & Festival and Warwick Arts Centre. Supported by the University of East London dance department.

Funded by Arts Council England, The Linbury Trust, Cockayne Grants for the Arts, PRS Foundation’s The Open Fund and The London Community Foundation.
Far From The Norm

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