Review: Akram Khan Delivers Powerful War Indictment in ‘Xenos’ at the Kennedy Center

However, his performance was impressive for its intensity and commitment. Dancing is at its fullest at the beginning, as Khan whirls and plunges into constant whirlwinds, churning clouds of dust, in a clear and stylishly controlled blend of Indian kathak dance strong, writhing of his own. He untied his ankle strap; they pulled behind him like chains. There were sounds of explosions, dogs barking and a storm of violins, saxophones and percussion. For a moment, the stage darkened. Suddenly, the musicians were illuminated on their hovering platform: a heavenly vision, but they were playing the sounds of hell.