SHĀH MĀT
A play, a game, a single move and the opponent is beheaded with the words: "Checkmate"; SHĀH MĀT - The king has fallen. The war is eternal, and there is always someone in the background who is ready to fight for the crown.
For centuries, chess has fascinated artists, scientists, the powerful and the powerless. But "SHĀH MĀT" is not just a phrase from a 1000-year-old board game. "SHĀH MĀT" is now. "SHĀH MĀT" is tomorrow. "SHĀH MĀT" is devoid of loyalty and reveals what humanity has always fought for and will always fight for: Power.
Uppercut Dance Theater and Holstebro Dance Company present their most ambitious performance to date, when 16 dancers occupy the chessboard in new choreography by award winning Stephanie Thomasen.
Every move has been played before, every outcome has been tested. But never like this. The fronts are lined up. The game can begin.
About the Company: Uppercut Dance Theater
Uppercut Dance Theater is a diverse and international dance company. Founded in 1982, it is one of the longest running companies in Danish dance history. It was amongst the first to bring break and street dance to the stage alongside contemporary dance, and to work intently on fusing movement languages across genres.
The artistic leadership is held by Stephanie Thomasen and Mark Philip. The works of recent years have resulted in several prestigious awards and grants. Uppercut is an active touring company, and have most recently performed in Sweden, Turkey, Italy, Canada, Finland, Germany and Hong Kong.
PRODUCED BY
Co-produced by Uppercut Dance Theater and Holstebro Dance Company
SUPPORTED BY
The Danish Arts Foundation, Augustinus Fonden, Wilhelm Hansen Fonden, Louis-Hansen Fond, Beckett Fonden, Knud Højgaards Fond and more.
TOURING PERSONNEL
Choreographer (1), dancers (17), live musicians (3), technicians (2), and possibly producer (1). In total: 24 people.
LENGTH OF PIECE
2 hours and 15 min. including intermission.
PREMIERE DATE & LOCATION
September 18th, 2025 in Den Grå Hal (Christiania), Copenhagen, Denmark. Performing from September 18th - October 4th in Copenhagen and from October 21st - 23rd in Holstebro, Denmark.
DATES AVAILABLE FOR TOURING
From August 1st, 2026.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For further inquiries, please contact: Maja Bonde Holtze, Producer at Uppercut Dance Theater.
CREDITS
STEPHANIE THOMASEN
(CHOREOGRAPHY, IDEA & CONCEPT)
DAVID PRICE
(CHOREOGRAPHIC CONSULTANT)
MARIE BROLIN-TANI
(CHOREOGRAPHIC CONSULTANT)
MAJA BONDE HOLTZE
(PRODUCER)
MARK PHILIP
(DANCER)
BJØRK-MYNTE PAULSE
(DANCER)
LIONEL AH-SOU
(DANCER)
HILDE I. SANDVOLD
(DANCER)
LINN FLETCHER
(DANCER)
JENS-ANTONIO SCHYTH BRØNDUM
(DANCER)
LAWAND SHAKUR OTHMAN
(COMPOSER & MUSICIAN)
KATRINE ELBO
(MUSICIAN)
ALEXANDER SKJOLD HENRIKSEN
(MUSICIAN)
JOHAN KØLKJÆR
(SET DESIGN)
RAPHAEL SOLHOLM
(LIGHT DESIGN)
BETINA REX
(DRAMATURG)