The award-winning Birmingham-based Sonia Sabri Company is delighted to announce the 2021 tour of their acclaimed SAME SAME .. BUT DIFFERENT, a show especially for young children and their families. The tour will visit 26 libraries and spaces across England from 27 July-26 August including Birmingham and the Black Country.
SAME SAME .. BUT DIFFERENT, originally commissioned by Birmingham Hippodrome and The Place with support from Birmingham Royal Ballet, is the company’s first ever children’s production which received its world premiere at the Hippodrome in 2019. The show mixes Kathak and contemporary dance with live music, beat boxing and physical storytelling to create a playful, colourful world, exploring curiosities and fears, the times we feel different and when we belong.
SAME SAME .. BUT DIFFERENT is inspired by the well-known Anglo-Asian phrase ‘same, same...but different’, meaning "Yes, something kind of similar, but not the exact same thing”.
SAME SAME .. BUT DIFFERENT has been made working in collaboration with a number of primary schools in Birmingham and London. The children’s creative ideas and lived experiences of being different and belonging have been brought into the show.
In a world and time where there is 'fear of the different' the show celebrates diversity and inclusivity in its broadest sense. A joyous and colourful live experience for children 5+ and their families.
The show will tour mostly to libraries across England and other spaces, reaching out to local communities that would not necessarily have access to live theatre.
“My girls laughed hysterically at the performers. Their laughter making the people around us laugh too.” Small House Big Trips
The show is choreographed by multi award-winning Sonia Sabri one of the world’s leading Kathak dancers and Artistic Director of Sonia Sabri Company. Sonia has an international reputation for collaboration across dance styles and art forms. Sonia has worked as choreographer and movement director with Sir Trevor Nunn CBE, Dame Arlene Phillips (DBE), Marion Tait CBE, Jonzi D, Sir Richard Alston CBE, Shobana Jeyasingh CBE, Nitin Sawhney CBE and Rose English.
Wolverhampton born Sonia said: “The last 14 months have been such an incredibly difficult time for children, so it seems extremely poignant to be bringing this high-class performance to the doorsteps of communities in England at this time. This is something a professional national touring company rarely does especially in library settings. We therefore very much look forward to providing families with a fun, playful and happy theatre experience after so long.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Arts Council England for their support in helping us to reach so many communities.”
Britain's first public lending library opened in Manchester in the mid 1800’s and gradually spread to other towns and cities providing communities with free access to books and learning.
Carol Stump, President, Libraries Connected a membership organisation, representing heads of library services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. commented “Libraries have delivered an amazing range of cultural activities online during the pandemic to their communities, including theatre, dance and author events. However, now more than ever, we need to encourage people back into library buildings to connect with each other and to enjoy live arts again so Libraries Connected are delighted to support the live theatre tour of SAME
SAME .. BUT DIFFERENT.”
The cast features dance artist Katie Albon based in Birmingham. Katie trained at Trinity Laban and, has since danced with Autin Dance Theatre, Springs Dance Company, Ascension Dance and FRONTLINEdance; Michael Kelland who graduated from London Contemporary Dance School in 2012. As a freelance performer he has worked with James Wilton, Tom Dale and Rosie Kay and Aakanksha Rawat from India who has been working with Sonia Sabri Company for five years and is a part of Sonia Sabri Company's teaching faculty. She also leads dance workshops in community settings, for children and adults and performs regularly with Kathkaaars (storytellers).
SAME SAME .. BUT DIFFERENT will tour across England visiting 26 libraries and spaces from Tuesday 27 July – Thursday 26 August including Stoke, Nottingham, Luton, Birmingham, Black Country, Cheshire, Middlesborough and Reading.
Full tour details are listed on the website with links to each library/space. Please contact the library or space direct to register/book in each instance:
https://www.ssco.org.uk/tour_calendar/calendar.php
Age guidance: children aged 5+ and their adults
SAME SAME .. BUT DIFFERENT will tour whilst following the most up-to-date Government Covid-19 guidelines.
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