SHĀH MĀT

PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 18, 2025

SHĀH MĀT

A co-production by Uppercut Dance Theater and Holstebro Dansekompagni 

One game, one play, one move and the opponent is beheaded with the words: "Checkmate"; SHÃH MÃT - The king is overthrown.

Chess has fascinated artists, scientists, the powerful and the powerless for centuries. But SHÃH MÃT is not just a phrase from a 1000-year-old board game. SHÃH MÃT is now. SHÃH MÃT is tomorrow. SHÃH MÃT is devoid of loyalty and reveals what man has always fought and will always fight for: Power.

Uppercut Dance Theater and Holstebro Dansekompagni's most ambitious performance to date, with 16 dancers and three live musicians taking over the chessboard in new choreography by Reumert-winning Stephanie Thomasen.

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Credits

IDEA, CONCEPT & CHOREOGRAPHY
Stephanie Thomasen

DANCERS
Mark Philip, Bjørk-Mynte Paulse, Lionel Ah-Sou, Hilde I. Sandvold, Linn Fletcher, Jens-Antonio Schyth Brøndum, Giorgia Reitani, Adam Tocuyo, Patrick Afuale Eirup, Carley Lund, Lorenzo Giovanetti, Oksana Maslechko, George Burton, Igea Noioso, and more.

COMPOSER
Lawand Shakur Othman

MUSICIANS
Lawand Shakur Othman, Katrine Elbo, Alexander Skjold Henriksen

SCENOGRAPHY
Johan Kølkjær

LIGHT DESIGN
Raphael Solholm

DRAMATURG
Betina Rex

CHOREOGRAPHIC CONSULTANTS
David Price & Marie Brolin-Tani

The performance is supported by

Danish Arts Foundation, Augustinus Foundation, Wilhelm Hansen Foundation, Beckett Foundation, Louis-Hansens Foundation, Knud Højgaards Foundation, Copenhagen Municipality, Holstebro Municipality