Dance Umbrella has announced the London premiere of Dance Is Not for Us by Cie Omar Rajeh & Maqamat, performing at The Pit, Barbican on 16 and 17 October.
The production marks a rare London appearance from acclaimed choreographer Omar Rajeh, founder of Maqamat and the Beirut International Platform of Dance.
Described as an intimate solo that blends personal memoir with political reflection, Dance Is Not for Us sees Rajeh perform alone on stage, exploring themes of loss, memory and resilience rooted in his experience of Lebanon.
The work draws on Rajeh’s practice of maqam, a form of instant composition that challenges traditional structures and places the body at the centre of storytelling.
Through movement and spoken word, the performance reflects on a past shaped by conflict while questioning what it means to continue creating in the face of uncertainty.
Omar Rajeh said, “It might have been weird on many levels that I chose dance in a country that was coming out of civil war, destruction, death and loss. However, dance at the time seemed to be the most revolutionary, the most provocative, and the most confrontational.”
The production is co-presented by Dance Umbrella and the Barbican as part of the festival’s 2026 programme, which continues its commitment to showcasing international voices and bold contemporary work.
With a running time of 60 minutes and a post-show talk on the opening night, the performance offers audiences a chance to engage with a deeply personal and urgent piece of choreography.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
