Below the Skin, founded in 2019 by Aly Khamees and Jelena Mair, is a dance company dedicated to transcultural exploration. Their productions shed light on the challenges of our time and celebrate the commonalities of humanity. Beyond entertainment, they aim to inspire dialogue, reflect on social issues and promote a deeper understanding of the environment. They transcend cultural and artistic boundaries, encourage co-creation and create performances that connect art and society. As accomplices of Tanzhaus Zürich, the company refines their techniques in open workshops and makes them accessible to a wide audience.
Show
Below the Skin / Aly Khamees
Empty City – A Dance Odyssey
Empty City is inspired by the mysterious City of the Dead, an ancient necropolis in the centre of modern Cairo. There, graves and mausoleums that once served as final resting places have been transformed into houses that the living and the dead now inhabit together in a bizarre way. In Aly Khamees' piece, seven dancers bring their own stories to create a performance that celebrates resilience, cohesion and the transformative power of community. A universal story about the human spirit that survives and thrives even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Artistic Direction, choreography Aly Khamees
Creative direction, production management Jelena Mair
Co-creation, performance Alina Aegerter, Amélia Graber, Chien Ching Ying, Issue Park, Nadika Mohn, Vanessa Morandelle, Reiner Heidelberg
Coach, outside eye Romain Guion
Dramaturgical advisor Tanzhaus Zürich Simon Froehling
Critical Friend Tanzhaus Zürich Denise Ledermann
Music Marcel Gschwend
Light design, stage Iris Rohr
Photos Maria Cheilpoulou
Production Below the Skin
Coproduction Tanzhaus Zürich
Partner Orient Production (tour management)
Supported by Stadt Zürich Kultur, Fachstelle Kultur Kanton Zürich, Binding First Dance, Anne-Marie Schindler Stiftung, Elisabeth Weber Stiftung, Migros Kulturprozent, Schweizerische Interspretenstiftung SIS
Dates / Booking
- Solidarity: CHF 35
- Regular: CHF 25
- Budget: CHF 15
Bühne 1
Tanzhaus Zürich
Wasserwerkstrasse 127a
8037 Zürich
- Duration: 1h 15m
- Nonverbal, without spoken text
- High volume, Strong emotions
- Wheelchair accessible
- Solidarity: CHF 35
- Regular: CHF 25
- Budget: CHF 15
Bühne 1
Tanzhaus Zürich
Wasserwerkstrasse 127a
8037 Zürich
- Duration: 1h 15m
- Nonverbal, without spoken text
- High volume, Strong emotions
- Wheelchair accessible
- Solidarity: CHF 35
- Regular: CHF 25
- Budget: CHF 15
Bühne 1
Tanzhaus Zürich
Wasserwerkstrasse 127a
8037 Zürich
- Duration: 1h 15m
- Nonverbal, without spoken text
- High volume, Strong emotions
- Wheelchair accessible
- Solidarity: CHF 35
- Regular: CHF 25
- Budget: CHF 15
Bühne 1
Tanzhaus Zürich
Wasserwerkstrasse 127a
8037 Zürich
- Duration: 1h 15m
- Nonverbal, without spoken text
- High volume, Strong emotions
- Wheelchair accessible
- Solidarity: CHF 35
- Regular: CHF 25
- Budget: CHF 15
Bühne 1
Tanzhaus Zürich
Wasserwerkstrasse 127a
8037 Zürich
- Duration: 1h 15m
- Nonverbal, without spoken text
- High volume, Strong emotions
- Wheelchair accessible
- Relaxed Performance
This event is a "Relaxed Performance".
- The auditorium is not fully occupied, so you can maintain distance.
- The stage area is never completely dark.
- You can leave and re-enter at any time.
- Noises and movements in the audience are okay.
- There are comfortable seating options.
- Our quiet area is a sofa in the foyer. There is a caregiver present. There are sensory aids and water available.
- At 5 PM, there is a Touch Tour where you can experience the stage area and surroundings. The Touch Tour is supervised and free of charge.
- If you have special needs, please contact Christina Gabriela Galli. Our team will be on site one hour before the performance starts.