Twice-Born

Twice-Born

Twice-Born

An exhilarating, epic piece
★★★★★ THE LIST on Twice-Born
Jaw-dropping…the sheer spectacle is overwhelmingly intense
★★★★ THE STAGE on Twice-Born
Heartstopping…a monumental, mythic piece
★★★★ BACHTRACK on Twice-Born

Twice-Born is a ground-breaking Scottish Ballet commission by Olivier-Award-winning choreographer, composer and world-renowned dancer, Dickson Mbi.

Celebrated for blending the physicality of hip-hop with the fluidity of contemporary dance, Mbi has made waves across the globe. His work is known for its emotional depth and technical brilliance, making him one of the most sought-after choreographers today.

In Twice-Born, Dickson Mbi draws inspiration from ancient parables to create an epic narrative, set in another world where matriarchal figures are sacrificed and reborn.

Mbi has also composed the dramatic, tender and emotive score for the work, recorded by some of the world’s finest musicians, including soprano Lucy Crowe and percussionist Beibei Weng. The large ensemble of dancers moves to the music with breath-taking synchronicity, delivering an intense, awe-inspiring spectacle that will leave audiences spellbound.

Twice-Born London premiere performances take place at Sadler's Wells, March 6–8, 7.30pm

Tickets 



“I encourage audiences to come with an open heart and the willingness to go on a journey. It’s always good to expect to be wowed, and elements in the show are going to take people into another world. It may open up conversations around how we see matriarchs in our society. But also, they can expect some really cool dance, and that’s something that I don’t try and run away from — it’s got to connect to us.” Dickson Mbi, Choreographer and Composer of Twice-Born

 


ON A JOURNEY - A Q&A WITH TWICE-BORN CHOREOGRAPHER DICKSON MBI

Christopher Hampson [CH]: You’ve written the score for Twice-Born, is this the first time you’ve written music for your own work?

Dickson Mbi [DM]: This is the first time I’ve written all the music for my own work by myself, usually I’d co-compose with others, so the music is special to me. Initially I was really scared of this opportunity, but now I’m really proud of what’s been created. I received a lot of support from my publishers Wise Music Group, which helped to make me feel confident during the process.

We collaborated with the amazing Soprano Lucy Crowe, who is a globally renowned opera singer. Having her in the studio sessions was an incredible experience, she’d really give it her all, which actually brought me to tears on many occasions. The recording was an emotional and passionate process, it felt so special. She brings so much warmth and heart to the work, particularly on the tracks ‘Tribe’ and ‘Goodbye’ - it gives me goosebumps. I also got to work with some good friends of mine: percussionist Beibei Wang plays on all of the tracks. For vocals I provided my own and worked with friends from South Africa, vocalists Ntethe Music, Prudence Jezile and Bongi Duma. We also had Gabriella Swallow who is an amazing cellist, Eos Counsell on violin and Meghan Cassidy on the viola. It was great to have them on-board and they really brought the piece together. 

The music is orchestral, but I’d also say that it’s influenced by my African culture. I’m from Cameroon so there’s an African essence to the piece. Having grown up in East London, there’s an influence from that in the music too - you can hear that on the track ‘Ciotic’. I’d describe it as ‘Afro-centric alternative music with some orchestral and classical feelings’.


CH: What can our audiences expect from Twice-Born?

DM: I’d tell the audiences to come with an open heart and the willingness to go on a journey. It’s spectacular, with lots of wow-moments, which are balanced with deep nuances and cultural references, and elements in the show are going to take people into another world.

This show is inspired by my wife’s grandmother, she was so important for this whole journey. It tells the journey of a matriarch leaving her community and a young person coming of age and what that means in our society, so they might expect to go on a bit an emotional rollercoaster. It may also open up conversations around how we see matriarchs in our society. But also, they can expect some really cool dance, and that’s something that I don’t try and run away from — it’s got to connect to us.


CH: What’s next for you?

DM: I’m working with some students at The Central School of Ballet at the moment on a new piece, it’s pretty cool. I’m also working on the show Passing Strange, which had its European Premiere in May 2024 in London, and will be performed in New York at A.R.T in May this year. I’ll then start work on my new show Tellus, which draws its inspiration from many courageous women; their influences, the role they play in our society, as well as personal moments in the company of mother -  it will premiere in 2026.

About Dickson Mbi

Dickson Mbi was born in Cameroon and grew up in London, where he studied at London Contemporary Dance School, before training with Russell Maliphant. Highly acclaimed in the Hip Hop dance community, Dickson is best known for his popping skills, which are integral to the work that he creates. As a contemporary and commercial dancer, Dickson has featured in multiple TV campaigns, including Balmain X H&M (2016), and has worked with award-winning music artists such as Robbie Williams, Corrine Bailey-Rae, Black Eyed Peas, CHVRCHES and Basement Jaxx. As a choreographer, Dickson has created works for various dance companies, most recently autobiographical work Ma Vie for Northern Ballet, and the Olivier Award-winning Enowate, inspired by a trip back to Cameroon, for his own Dickson Mbi Company, which premiered at Sadler’s Wells in 2022. Dickson is the first Creative Associate of Scottish Ballet’s Next Generation Campaign – an ambitious programme to house ten early-to-mid-career choreographers, designers, composers and film-makers, who will be involved in the development and production of at least ten new works by 2028. More on the Next Generation Campaign.