George Town Festival 2011, VERTICAL ROAD @ Dewan Sri Pinang, Light Street, Penang

Vertical Road is inspired by the idea of ascension – the road between the Earthly and the spiritual. This ground-breaking work of contemporary dance explores aspects of ascension, such as whether the soul can be elevated to a higher realm by virtuous deeds, and the journey the soul takes after death.

Choreographer Akram Khan has selected eight dancers from Asia, Europe and the Middle East to perform this ambitious piece. He has previously collaborated with artists such as Kylie Minogue, Juliette Binoche, Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Sylvie Guillem and Nitin Sawhney.

The company recently performed at the Beirut International Platform of Dance in Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories, and looks forward to bringing their show to George Town