BLKDOG - Botis Seva

BLKDOG is Botis Seva’s beautifully brutal commentary on how the youth of today are coping in a world not built for them. In an emotionally charged hip-hop dance performance, BLKDOG reveals the vicious connection between self-discovery and self-destruction. Through haunting childhood memories and adult traumas, the work questions how we fight through our vices to find a sense of peace. The music has evolved from a long-standing collaboration with Torben Sylvest and features a mixture of original compositions and spoken word, adding layers of meaning and highlighting the inner workings of the characters on stage. Tom Visser’s lighting creates a dark smog of disillusionment as the choreography delves into the underbelly of life, while the hooded caps and padded costumes by Ryan Dawson-Laight echo the protection and comfort of childhood.

“BLKDOG is for everyone who has dealt with trauma and grief. For anyone who has had to watch family members go through depression or loss. We live in a society where speaking about our emotions may never be understood; I spent my childhood never speaking about my emotions, and now, at the age of 30, I can finally speak up.”

Botis Seva

Botis Seva is a unique and seminal choreographic voice rooted in hip-hop dance theatre, yet inspired by a freeform approach to choreography. His work is grounded in real life and captures his own stories, as well as those around him, while drawing on techniques from film, text, visual art, and other dance languages to continuously reinvent his creative approach to the stage. Botis’ passion from a young age was music; he spent time at his local youth club making beats and MCing. At the age of 15, he was introduced to dance at secondary school, and it was there that he decided to pursue a choreographic career outside mainstream educational pathways. At 19, he founded his hip-hop dance theatre company Far From The Norm in Dagenham, London, together with friends who shared his passion for experimenting with the hip-hop form. In his early choreographic years, Botis honed his craft through mentorship and artistic development opportunities with Breakin’ Convention at Sadler’s Wells, which gave him the confidence to apply for various platforms and gradually build his artistic language and portfolio. From there, his work gained momentum across stage, outdoor, and dance film circuits, earning numerous awards, including the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production for BLKDOG (2019) and the CHANEL Next Prize (2022).

“Seva is a choreographer on the cusp of a new direction in the shifting sands of British contemporary dance, and one likely to have a significant following in the future.” — Graham Watts

Director & Choreographer: Botis Seva

Music composer: Torben Sylvest

Lighting designer: Tom Visser

Costume designer: Ryan Dawson-Laight

Performed by: Far From The Norm Dance Artists

Rehearsal director: Victoria Shulungu, Jordan Douglas, Hayleigh Sellors *TBC

Executive producer: Lee Griffiths

Senior production manager: Andy Downie (Velocet)

Production manager & Relighters: Andrej Gubanov, Chris Burr, Seth Rook Williams

Tour manager: Gabija Cepelyte / Ciara Lynch *TBC

Costume makers: Jordan Goertz, Julie Sayers, Kelsey Vickery, Kingsley Hall, Lou Petty, Rosie Whiting

Mix engineer: Pär Carlsson

Research & Development rehearsal director: Ekin Bernay

Contribution artists: Charlotte Clark, Clarissa Shulungu, Ezra Owen, Isaac Ouro-Gnao, Savanah Anais Rowe, Shiloh Seva, Tyrone Isaac-Stuart

Co-produced by: Far From The Norm, Norrlandsoperan and Sadler’s Wells

Supported by: Arts Council England, Kingston University, Laban Theatre, Siobhan Davies Dance and UEL Dance: Urban Practice Department

* Content warning: BLKDOG features loud music, gunshot sounds, haze, and abstract depictions of rape, violence, and depression.]

* In the framework of the Cyprus Contemporary Dance Festival 2026.

Organised by: Deputy Ministry of Culture (Department of Contemporary Culture) and Rialto Theatre.

Duration: 65'

Tickets: €10 

Free entrance to students, soldiers, pensioners, holders of the Disability Card and dance professionals.

www.farfromthenorm.com

www.blkdog.co.uk

@farfromthenorm