Lady Macbeth

The Royal Danish Ballet celebrates a major feat as renowned choreographer Akram Khan comes to Denmark to create an entirely new work. Drawing inspiration from Shakespeare’s psychological thriller, Khan turns his focus to the formidable Lady Macbeth.

British-Bangladeshi choreographer, Akram Khan is a singular force in the international dance world. His explosive, hypnotic works have left audiences breathless, as seen in Vertical Road, previously performed in Denmark in 2016. His productions are deeply resonant and emotionally stirring, often delving into themes of identity, migration, and cultural heritage.

Now, as he embarks on his first full-length ballet for The Royal Danish Ballet—drawing inspiration from one of William Shakespeare’s most celebrated tragedies—the result promises to be truly revelatory. Macbeth is a tale of unchecked ambition, power, and devastating downfall. It follows the Scottish nobleman and his wife, who, consumed by an insatiable hunger for power, commit heinous acts to secure the throne—only to be haunted by guilt and paranoia. Khan sees the play as deeply relevant to contemporary society: “Whenever I confront this powerful Shakespearean play, I always feel it relates directly to the times we live in,” Khan explains. “I have a strong desire to enter this work through the lens of Lady Macbeth. Who was she? How was she? Why did she tread on the same pathway of her husband, filled with ambition, loyalty and blood on her hands? I deeply believe this story is a sort of guide, in the form of a mirror, that reveals to us why we should never succumb to our malevolence.”

Khan’s reimagining of Lady Macbeth layers classical ballet with intricate nuances of classical Indian dance, all shaped by his distinctive contemporary perspective. An unmissable production that redefines the possibilities of narrative dance.

Recommended from 10 years old