Encounter Festival Experience Q and A with Sonia Sabri Company

29 November 2024

We catch up with Sonia Sabri Company for their performance at Encounter Festival 2024

Here's what they had to say about the Mughal Miniatures: Animal Paradise performance earlier this year.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself / your group.

Sonia Sabri Company (SSCo) creates music and dance that is progressive, accomplished and sincerely felt. Our work is relevant to audiences today: making connections across cultures and generations, strengthening community understanding and increasing wellbeing through performances, workshops, and talent development.
As the UK's leading South Asian dance and music company, we are an international touring company with a reputation for presenting Kathak dance in a contemporary context, without diluting its integrity. For us, it is a constantly evolving language, perfect for telling people's stories and reflecting on the world. Our music is rooted in classical Indian traditions but branches into innovative developments with a range of styles including HipHop, Folk and Jazz.

2. How many times have you taken part in either the Torchlight Procession or Programme of Events? Do you have a favourite memory from when you participated?

This was our first time taking part in Encounter Festival.

3. Can you tell us about your performance at Encounter 2024? Did you enjoy performing for the people of Preston?

We brought our current touring production to Encounter 2024, Mughal Miniatures: Animal Paradise. This scene explores the relationship between humans and the natural world through expressive dance, evocative puppetry and incredible music.
This piece includes audience interaction and the people of Preston were very engaging and the children participated towards the end of the piece. It was very well received by the audience as some of them came to meet the dancers afterwards to talk to them, meet the characters and tell them how much they and their little ones enjoyed the show.

4. Why do you think people should attend Encounter Festival?

It has a lovely programme for families with different performances spread across the park throughout the day. Very engaging and entertaining for the children. A lovely day out for families.

5. Have you got anything exciting lined up for 2025?

We are continuing the tour with our Mughal Miniatures production, which includes:
Animal Paradise
The Awakening
The Peacock and the Princess walkabout
The Elephant and the Drummer - static performance
The Elephant and the Drummer - walkabout