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For immediate release – February 12, 2016

“Two superb dancers combine their kathak and flamenco styles with ferocious intensity” -The Guardian

“A fascinating meeting of cultures” - Evening Standard

Canadian Stage presents Torobaka

Created and performed by Akram Khan & Israel Galván

On stage at the Bluma Appel Theatre March 9-12 Toronto, ON – Virtuosic British choreographer Akram Khan returns to Canadian Stage alongside Spanish flamenco artist Israel Galván with their new collaboration Torobaka, presented in a limited four-performance run from March 9-12 at the Bluma Appel Theatre. Inspired by the rhythmic roots of civilization and the sacred relationship between the hunter and animal, this explosive dance hybrid blends Khan’s trademark Indian Kathak with Galván’s contemporary Flamenco in a thrilling stylistic and cultural dialogue. “Following the success of 2014’s DESH, we are delighted to bring back Akram Khan and welcome Israel Galván: two masters at the top of their respective art forms,” said Matthew Jocelyn, Canadian Stage Artistic & General Director. “Together, they push the boundaries of their crafts – negotiating a joyous shared language that is both technically and visually exquisite. The result is a distinctly new act of storytelling that defies classification.”

Torobaka (Spanish for “bullcow”, a sacred animal in both dancers’ respective traditions) was born out of the shared origins of Kathak, the classical South Asian dance form at the heart of Khan’s world-renowned contemporary practice, and the flamenco of Galván, celebrated internationally for his innovative choreography and masterful avant-garde technique. Through the use of percussive footwork and rhythmic circles - accompanied by five singers and four musicians on stage - the two collaborators harken back to the very roots of voice and gesture; delivering a performance marked by spiritual elegance and blistering physicality. Rather than mimicking one another, Khan and Galván create something new by better understanding each other’s approaches to their craft. “For many years now, I have been hungry to create a space where these respective traditions can co-exist with each other to create a new dynamic dance,” said Khan. “Only when I finally witnessed Israel perform, did I realize that he was the artist I was waiting for to travel on this journey. Dancing beside him is like dancing next to a sublime storyteller of rhythms, not rhythms of the past, but rhythms of the future.” As part of the Torobaka experience, Israel Galván will lead a flamenco masterclass at the Esmeralda Enrique Academy of Spanish Dance (401 Richmond St. W) on Monday, March 7 from 3 – 4:30 pm. Spaces are limited. For more information, or to register, call the Canadian Stage Box Office at 416.368.3110. Torobaka will be on stage at the Bluma Appel Theatre, St Lawrence Centre for the Arts (27 Front St. E). Performances run Wednesday, March 9 and Thursday, March 10 at 8 pm, Friday, March 11 at 7 pm, and Saturday March 12 at 8 pm. The performance runs 75 minutes with no intermission. Tickets from $24 to $99 are available online, by phone at 416.368.3110, or in person at the Berkeley Street box office. For details visit www.canadianstage.com

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Facebook: Canadian Stage Twitter: @CanadianStage Hashtag: #csTorobaka About Torobaka March 9-12; Opening and media night: March 9 at 8 pm Presented by Canadian Stage

Co-produced by MC2: Grenoble, Sadler’s Wells London, Mercat de les Flors Barcelona,Théâtre de la Ville Paris, Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Festival Montpellier Danse 2015, Onassis Cultural Centre - Athens, Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay Singapore, Prakriti Foundation, Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam/Flamenco Biënnale Nederland, Concertgebouw Brugge, HELLERAU – European Center for the Arts Dresden, Festspielhaus St. Pölten, Romaeuropa Festival. Sponsored by COLAS.

World Premiere: MC2: Grenoble, France, 2 June 2014

Created & performed by Akram Khan & Israel Galván Music arranged & performed by David Azurza, BC Manjunath, Bobote, Christine Leboutte Producers Farooq Chaudhry & Bia Oliveira (Khan Chaudhry Productions), Chema Blanco & Cisco Casado (A Negro Productions) Costume designer Kimie Nakano Lighting designer Michael Hulls Sound designer Pedro Léon HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHY: AVAILABLE HERE PRESS KIT (BIOS): AVAILABLE HERE OFFICIAL TRAILER TOROBAKA: THE DANCE THAT DEFIES A GENRE (DOCUMENTARY) For more information or interview requests, please contact: Andrea Elalouf, Associate Director of Communications, Canadian Stage, 416. 367.8243 x 250, aelalouf@canadianstage.com About Canadian Stage: Founded in 1987, Canadian Stage is one of the country’s leading not-for-profit contemporary theatre companies, with the 15.16 season marking the organization’s 28th season. Led by Artistic & General Director Matthew Jocelyn and Managing Director Su Hutchinson, Canadian Stage produces and showcases innovative theatre from Canada and around the world, allowing its audience to encounter daring work guided by a strong directorial vision and a 21st-century aesthetic. The company prides itself on presenting multidisciplinary pieces and work in translation that pushes the boundaries of form and style. Canadian Stage reinforces the presence of Canadian art and artists within an international context through work that mirrors the cultural diversity of Toronto. The company stages an annual season of work at three major venues (the Bluma Appel Theatre, the Berkeley Street Theatre and the High Park Amphitheatre) and runs a series of artist development and education initiatives, as well as youth and community outreach programs. For more information, visit canadianstage.com. Proper usage of company name: please ensure to use “Canadian Stage” when referring to company (“CanStage” and “Canadian Stage Company” refer to previous incarnations of the organization)