Kathakali Dance

Kathakali, the classical dance drama of Kerala south India, makes a welcome return to The Lichfield Garrick Studio Theatre, to perform a story that highlight the achievements and failings of society including dignity, love, strength, compassion, arrogance, rejection, and cruelty.

The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company, include outstanding international Kathakali artists from Kerala, to bring emotion, colour, and incredible characters onto the stage.

The company have toured extensively in the UK and world-wide bringing Kathakali to thousands of people. For anyone unfamiliar with Kathakali, there is a chance to see the makeup being applied, view the costumes, meet the artists and a short pre-show demonstration.

Allow your imagination to enter the magical world of Kathakali and find a place where stories come alive.

Enter the magical world of Kathakali, a highly visual, emotional, and powerful drama that captures human nature through theatre. Explore family values, your dreams, compassion, aspirations and consider the rights of women to be respected. Observe how arrogance plays a huge role in the breakdown of society.

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Intimate theatres, such as the Lichfield Garrick Studio Theatre, are the perfect place to enjoy a Kathakali performance because the actor`s incredible facial expressions and emotions can be seen up close.  

The costumes, makeup and colours are breath-taking and fill the theatre with a visual delight.

If you can`t understand Kathakali - no problem, there is an informal demonstration and short film to lead you into the story.

The company welcome people to see the makeup, view the costumes and meet the artists prior to the performance to build a bridge into the remarkable world of Kathakali.

The Kala Chethana Kathakali Company are the only Kathakali specialists in the country, have performed all over the UK from the Isles of Scilly to the Highlands of Scotland presenting over 2,000 full compony performances, 3,500 solo shows and 3,000 workshops and 23 exhibitions.

We really value our audiences and go the extra mile to make everyone feel welcome and valued - please come and join us.