Botis Seva: BLKDOG

Finnish National Opera, Almi Hall
Wed 2.9.2026 18:30
Thu 3.9.2026 18:30

Age recommendation: 14+
Duration: 65 min

Audience discussion after the performance on Wed 2 Sep. The discussion will be moderated by Jani Toivola.

BLKDOG is Botis Seva’s beautifully brutal commentary on how the youth of today are coping in a world not built for them. In an emotionally charged hip hop dance performance, BLKDOG reveals the vicious connection of how self-discovery leads to self-destruction. Through haunting childhood memories and adult life traumas, BLKDOG questions how we fight through our vices to find a sense of peace and reveals a vicious connection of how self-discovery can lead to self-destruction.

The music has grown from a long-standing collaboration with Torben Sylvest and includes a mixture of original music and words that adds layers of meaning, highlighting the inner workings of the characters on stage. Tom Visser’s lighting brings a dark smog of disillusion as the choreography delves into the underbelly of life, while the hooded caps and padded costumes by Ryan Laight echo the protection and comfort of childhood.

“BLKDOG is for everyone who has dealt with trauma and grief. For anyone who has had to watch family members go through depression or loss. We live in a society where speaking about our emotions may never be understood; I spent my childhood never speaking about my emotions and now at the age of 30 I can finally speak up“
-Botis Seva

Dance and choreography: Botis Seva
Music: Torben Sylvest
Lighting design: Tom Visser
Costume design: Ryan Dawson-Laight
On stage: Far From The Norm: Corey Owens, Joshua Shanny Wynter, Larissa Koopman, Margaux Pourpoint, Penelope Klamert & Sebastian Harry
Rehearsal Director: Jordan Douglas
Executive Producer: Lee Griffiths
Executive Production Manager: Andy Downie
Production Managers: Andrej Gubanov, Chris Burr
Tour Manager: Gabija Cepelyte
Costumes: Jordan Goertz, Julie Sayers, Kelsey Vickery, Kingsley Hall, Lou Petty & Rosie Whiting
Sound Mix: Pär Carlsson
Research and Development: Ekin Bernay
Supporting Artists: Charlotte Clark, Clarissa Shulungu, Ezra Owen, Isaac Ouro-Gnao, Savanah Anais Rowe, Shiloh Seva & Tyrone Isaac-Stuart
Producers: Far From The Norm, Norrlandsoperan & Sadler’s Wells
Supporters: Arts Council England, Kingston University, Laban Theatre, Siobhan Davies Dance & UEL Dance: Urban Practice Department

In co-operation with:
Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation

Botis Seva 

“Seva is a choreographer on the cusp of a new direction in the shifting sands of British contemporary dance and one likely to have a big following in its future” Graham Watts

Botis Seva is a unique and seminal choreographic voice rooted in Hip Hop dance theatre but inspired by a freefrom approach to choreography. His work is grounded in real life and captures his own stories, as well as those around him, whilst borrowing techniques from film, text, art and other dance languages to continuously reinvent his approach to creativity and the stage. 

Botis’ passion from a young age was music, he’d spend time at his local youth club making beats and MC’ing. When he was 15 years old he was introduced to dance at secondary school and it was here Botis decided to pursue a choreographic career outside of mainstream educational pathways. He founded his Hip Hop dance theatre company Far From The Norm aged 19 in Dagenham, London, with friends that shared his passion for experimenting with the Hip Hop form. 

In his early choreographic years, Botis honed his craft and skills through mentorship and artistic development opportunities with Breakin’ Convention at Sadler’s Wells, which gave him the confidence to apply for various platforms and slowly build up his language and portfolio.  

From here, Botis’ work started to take flight across the stage, outdoor and dance film circuits. Since,he has been the recipient of numerous awards including Bonnie Bird Choreography Fund, Marion North Mentoring Award (2015), Copenhagen International Choreography Competition (2016), Choreography 30 Hannover (2016), Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production for BLKDOG (2019), nominations for Black British Theatre Award and Dance Critics National Dance Awards (2022), CHANEL Next Prize (2022) and Carmen Mateux Best Choreographer Award (2023).

Botis has also worked on numerous film commissions including Inside The Blind Iris with director Douglas Bernadt (2023), a collaboration with Director Freddie Leydon and Christies on Santo (2022), BBC Arts x Space CAN’T KILL US ALL (2020) and Channel 4 Random Acts REACH (2018). His film work has won Vimeo Best of the Year Awards (2023), Kinsale Sharks (2023), San Francisco Dance Film Festival (2018) and nominations include Cannes Lion Award (2023) and Young British Arrows (2023).

His other stage commissions include Scottish Dance Theatre, Rupert Goold, National Youth Dance Company, Wayne McGregor and Robin Friend, Battersea Arts Centre/Suri Krishnamma and upcoming commissions include Acosta Dance (2024/25) and NDT (2024/25).

Far From The Norm 

Far From The Norm is a Hip Hop Dance Theatre company, led by Artistic Director Botis Seva. Their performers bring to the studio a range of dance styles from Popping to Breaking, Krump to House, and it is with their informed knowledge of different dance styles that Botis is able to question, learn and translate what else is possible. 

They challenge perceptions of Hip Hop and create work that empowers marginalised people. All our work is original, vital and fearless and invites debate on social political issues and the contemporary world.

Their work includes live theatre performances, outdoor shows, immersive experiences and film. They tour nationally and internationally and we are continuing to develop strong partnerships around the world to nurture a new generation of hip hop dance theatre.

farfromthenorm.com
blkdog.co.uk

“This is interpretative dance of a calibre rarely seen, theatrical excellence to be appreciated and savoured. Visceral. Powerful. Expressive “ The Blurb – Melbourne“

Botis Seva’s BLKDOG is very black, very street, intensely theatrical and totally entrancing.”
Culture Whisper – UK

“Like Seva’s choreography, the score blends childhood memories with adult prowess. It’s at once unsettling and gorgeous.”
The Observer – New York

“BLKDOG is an abstract maze of memories, and amidst the violence, we also catch glimpse of more innocent childhood thrown into the mix.”
Bakchormeeboy – Singapore

“An original and unforgettable experience.”
London Living Large – UK