Neighbours is a raw, powerful collaboration by two extraordinary artists each from a distinct movement and cultural heritage.

Pioneering abstract b-boy Rauf “RubberLegz” Yasit and established contemporary dancer Brigel Gjoka were inspired by their time on William Forsythe’s A Quiet Evening of Dance. Both at the cutting edge of their disciplines, they’ve created a work that brings together their diverse expertise and draws influence from their Kurdish and Albanian roots.

A new choreographic language forms as they examine moments of transformation and contemplation at the crossroads of urban, classical and contemporary dance. Through their shared experience a simple truth emerges, that dance is part of being human.

Part of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival

Image description: Two male dancers face us, both with dark brown hair and beards and wearing black t-shirts and tracksuit bottoms. They stand close, shoulder to shoulder, with arms open to the sides. One has light brown skin and tattoos on his arms, and stands slightly behind the other. His left arm crosses under the other’s right arm, so their arms seem to form a braid across their bodies.

Creative credits:
Choreography and Performance – Rauf ‘RubberLegz’ Yasit and Brigel Gjoka
In collaboration with William Forsythe
Composer & Musician – Ruşan Filiztek, Accords Croisés
Lighting Designer – Zeynep Kepekli
Costume Designer – Ryan Dawson Laight

A Sadler’s Wells Production with the support of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels

Co-produced with PACT Zollverein Essen, Pôle européen de création -Ministère de la Culture/Maison de la Danse Lyon, Biennale de la danse de Lyon 2021, CndcAngers, TAP –Théâtre Auditorium de Poitiers, Sydney Festival, Festival d’Automne à Paris; Chaillot –Théâtre National de la danse,La Filature, Scène nationale de Mulhouse, Julidans Amsterdam, Théâtre de Liège, MC2: Maison de la Culture de Grenoble, Teatro municipal do Porto, KDF / Kalamata Dance Festival, Torinodanza Festival / Teatro Stabile di Torino -Teatro Nazionale and centre chorégraphique national de Caen en Normandie.

Header image © Brian Ca