Jose Agudo – THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES (performance)(SPAIN/ENGLAND, AGUDO DANCE COMPANY)

The Hero with a Thousand Faces

Adhvan (Kathak solo)

Group choreography (workshop participants)

Farruca (Flamenco solo) 

Hero (Contemporary solo) 

October 19th (Saturday), 7.30 PM/Stage in Granary

Music: Bernhard Schimpelsberger

Lightning design: Joshua Harriette

The Hero with a Thousand Faces is an evocative dance piece by Jose Agudo, drawing inspiration from Joseph Campbell’s monomyth and the universal journey of the hero. It merges the rhythmic intensity of Kathak, the fiery passion of flamenco, and the fluidity of contemporary dance, creating a rich, multi-layered exploration of a personal journey from East to West.

Set to a dynamic and immersive score by composer Bernhard

Schimpelsberger, the piece traverses the cultural landscapes of India and Spain, blending traditional and modern elements to depict the hero’s transformative quest. This journey, both physical and spiritual, is portrayed through the language of the body, with each dance form representing different stages and challenges of the hero’s path.

The Hero with a Thousand Faces is a deeply personal, yet universally resonant work, celebrating the transformative power of the journey across cultures, and the eternal quest for self-discovery. Jose Agudo invites the audience to witness the hero’s journey, reflecting on their own paths of growth, struggle, and triumph.

The participants of his workshops take part in one of the scenes.

Jose Agudo began his career in Andalusia as a flamenco dancer. Gradually, however, he found himself drawn to contemporary dance. He performed throughout Europe with  Charleroi/Danses, Ballet de Marseille, T.R.A.S.H, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance and Akram Khan Company. In 2011, he began his studies of Kathak with Akram Khan. The similarities between Kathak and flamenco prompted Jose to return to his roots and seek possibilities of introducing traditional forms of dance into the contemporary context.

He lives in London, which is also the seat of his Agudo Dance Company.