Dance Company Lasta, helmed by choreographer and Artistic Director Yoshimitsu Kushida, brings Naraku 奈落 (Abyss), a daring, contemporary Japanese dance piece, to London this autumn. Kushida invites audiences into a disquieting dreamscape where beauty, desire, and violence converge in visceral choreography rooted in the subconscious
Created in Yokohama in 2020, Naraku evolved into a dance film by 2022. It garnered international acclaim, earning nominations and awards across Europe, including festival screenings in Paris, Venice, London, and Athens
Event Details
- Dates & Venue: 18 to 20 September at 7:30 pm in The Coronet’s intimate auditorium.
- Duration: Approximately 80 minutes, with no intermission.
- Tickets: Standard fares are £40, £30, and £20. Members enjoy up to 20% off, with concessions and group tickets also available.
- Suitability: The performance includes themes of sex and violence, and is recommended for ages 16 and above.
Transcending Inner Turmoil
With Naraku, Kushida contemplates the fractured self. He constructs a surreal, often unsettling landscape where a man confronts forbidden urges, his psyche unraveled through movement that’s “erotic and violent, beautiful and grotesque”. Amid escalating fantasy, strangers emerge to anchor him, just at the precipice of his abyss.
From Stage to Screen: Naraku’s Cinematic Journey
Initially conceived and staged in Yokohama in 2020, Naraku began as a visceral, live confrontation with the subconscious, an exploration of hidden desire staged through movement and atmosphere. Yet Kushida’s vision did not end there. In 2022, he reimagined Naraku as a dance film, adapting the piece for the screen and unlocking new emotional dimensions through cinematic storytelling.
This film incarnation didn’t merely replicate the stage performance, it resonated strongly across Europe, earning numerous nominations and awards at prestigious art-film festivals. From the moody galleries of Paris to the avant-garde venues of Venice, through the creative circuits of London and down to the cultural crossroads of Athens, Naraku’s haunting imagery and expressive power captivated international audiences and critics alike.
A Blend of Body and Lens
The film preserves the choreography’s raw physicality but pairs it with cinematic techniques, shadowy lighting, measured pacing, and pungent soundscapes, that create a dream-logic rhythm, as if the abyss itself were breathing on the screen. The result is more than documentation; it’s a standalone work of art that bridges disciplines and cultures.
For audiences now encountering Naraku live at The Coronet, knowing its celebrated film history adds another layer of resonance. This is not just a performance, it’s part of a larger creative continuum reaching across mediums and continents, affirming Dance Company Lasta’s place at the forefront of contemporary dance, both on stage and on screen.
Transcending Inner Turmoil
With Naraku, Kushida contemplates the fractured self. He constructs a surreal, often unsettling landscape where a man confronts forbidden urges, his psyche unraveled through movement that’s “erotic and violent, beautiful and grotesque”. Amid escalating fantasy, strangers emerge to anchor him, just at the precipice of his abyss
Secure your Seats
With only three performances at The Coronet, a theatre known for its rare and adventurous programming, seats are limited. For the most choice and best pricing, book early, especially to maximise member benefits. Don’t miss this opportunity to see a dance work that journeys to the edge of human desire, and brings you home changed.
